By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281Source(s):
Ruth Francis-Floyd rff@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-9617, ext. 229
UF/IFAS County Extension Direc pybas@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (305) 248-3311, ext. 241
Mary Peters (Broward) mpeters@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (954) 370-3725
Clayton Hutcheson (Palm Beach) ceh@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu (561) 233-1712
HOMESTEAD—In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene’s torrential rains, state officials are recommending emergency measures to protect and care for livestock stranded in flooded pastures and standing water in South Florida.
The Florida Disaster Management Team, which includes experts from the University of Florida, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Farm Bureau, said lack of feed and safe drinking water, coupled with the threat of water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases, are the biggest threats to animal health.
If animals need to be moved to different locations or if carcasses need to be disposed of, contact county emergency management agencies in Miami-Dade County (305) 273-6700, Broward County (954) 831-3900 or Palm Beach County (561) 233-1712. UF/IFAS county extension offices also have information on dealing with the flood emergency.
“If you cannot move animals out of the water to higher ground, spray their hoofs with a 25 percent solution of chlorine bleach, dry their feet and then cover the hoof and pastern with petroleum jelly before allowing the animal back in the water,” said Ruth Francis-Floyd, extension veterinarian with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
She recommended feeding hay to animals to ensure adequate roughage. If fresh drinking water is not available, standing water can be disinfected with chlorine bleach at the rate of 8 to 12 drops per gallon. Water should be scooped from low areas that are as clean and as free from contamination as possible. Avoid foul water with a bad odor. County emergency management agencies may be able to have feed and water delivered.
Francis-Floyd said flooding could cause mosquito populations to explode and recommended that animals be vaccinated for mosquito-borne diseases. Horses, in particular, should have current vaccinations for encephalitis. Contact your veterinarian if horses have not been vaccinated within the past three months.
“As water recedes, animals should be inspected carefully for possible injuries from submerged debris or fencing,” she said. “Contact your veterinarian for help on dealing with injuries, and check the vaccination status for tetanus in horses.”
Francis-Floyd recommends an iodine bath to disinfect external surfaces against bacteria, fungus and other pathogens that may have contaminated body surfaces while the animal was in water.
If carcasses of dead animals cannot be removed, bury them as soon as possible. Emergency management offices in each county can provide guidelines on carcass disposal. If allowed, bury the carcass under two feet of soil and cover the surface with hydrated lime.
For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the Florida Disaster Management Team Web site: http://IT.ifas.ufl.edu/FDM/
-30-
0
