Animals also affected by dry spell

CEBU, Philippines - Prolonged exposure to the stinging heat does not only harm humans but animals too, an official of the Cebu Provincial Veterinary Office said yesterday.

Provincial Veterinarian Mary Rose Vincoy disclosed that animals are also prone to heatstroke and other heat borne illnesses which may even result to death.

She said pigs, for example, are the most susceptible to heatstroke considering that they have thick layer of fat under the skin.

With this, she reminded piggery owners to provide measures to regulate the temperature in the facility, as well as that of the pigs.

“Halos tanang animals vulnerable sa init pareha karon nga naa’y mild El Niño. Kabalo na nang mga piggery (owners) unsaon pag-atiman, ang uban ana pa-electric fan-an, or sige’g ligo ang mga baboy,” she told reporters.

She added that livestock owners should ensure that water is always available for the animals.

Apart from heatstroke, skin diseases can also be acquired by animals during summer season. Or for sore mouth infection is common to goats, Vincoy said.

Livestock owners should also be cautious against pneumonia affecting animals especially in areas with fluctuating temperature.

“Ang pneumonia di lang na sa ting-init. Labi na sa bukid ug ubang lugar nga init kaayo sa adlaw, unya bugnaw ni’g gabii,” she explained.

Last year, the PVO, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), completed its information caravan to all areas in the province regarding the dry spell.

Vincoy said among the topics the PVO-DA team discussed was the free insurance coverage for the livestock under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

She urged livestock owners to head to their local agriculture office to avail of the livestock insurance.

“Mo-apply lang sila didto, naa ra’y i-fill up nga form,” she said, adding that members of the farmers’ association are eligible to apply for the insurance.

A memorandum of agreement was entered into between the Capitol and the PCIC last year for the insurance, which also covers livestock. — Michael Vencynth H. Braga/NSA (FREEMAN)