LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte, Oct. 5, 2015 – – The Provincial Veterinary Office of Ilocos Norte has issued advisory to all animal raisers to keep their livestock healthy and keep them away from the ill effects of the El Niño phenomenon in the province.
Provincial Veterinary Officer Loida Valenzuela said the animals might succumb to heart attack, heat stroke and dehydration when they are extremely exposed to the heat of the sun.
Livestock animals that are considered prone to the effect of El Niño include broilers chicken, swine, cattle and carabao.
Initially, she advised the animal growers to maintain sufficient and safe drinking water for their animals to protect them from the sizzling heat of the sun.
“The insufficiency of drinking water for the animals may cause dehydration leading to fatality,” she said.
“Use earthen jars for stocking – up water for animals to drink rather than using plastic container for water drinking storage as it (water) will react (with plastic) when exposed to the heat of the sun,” she added.
She recommended the chopped juicy trunk of banana as alternative feed for swine during dry season.
“The animals must also be placed in shady places to sustain their healthy conditions at the height of the intermittent weather,” she told.
The provincial veterinary office has started its close monitoring activities to livestocks in the province for the formulation of solutions to anticipate the possible ill – effect of the El Niño.
Meanwhile, experts reported that El Niño cycle is associated with increased risks to some parasitism of animal diseases and to some diseases transmitted by mosquitoes such as malaria and dengue. (VHS/FGL, PIA- 1 Ilocos Norte)
