Charles Sturt University experts are reminding pet owners and livestock farmers that animals are feeling the heat and to ensure they have access to water.
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As the mercury reaches 45 degrees and exceeds these temperatures in areas outside of Wagga, CSU resident in equine medicine Jessica Wise said it is important for people to provide for our four-legged friends.
“Animals feel the heat in exactly the same ways that we do, so animals need to keep in the shade, they’re going to drink a lot more and not be as active,” she said.
“It’s just important for people to be able to provide shade for their animals and lots and lots of fresh, clean water.”
CSU’s Veterinary Clinic Centre in Wagga have brought down fans for about 10 sick horses to ensure their patients are keeping cool in the extreme heat.
“We have lots of fan which more the air around and for the little ones, the fouls, we have climate control boxes, which is air conditioning,” Ms Wise said.
Professor of Equine Medicine Sharanne Raidal said she has noticed that some horses have not been drinking enough water in these conditions.
“We’ve seen some horses that haven’t drunk as much as they should have to compensate for the heat, so full-sized horses might be drinking 40 to 50 litres a day in this heat and owners are encouraged to be vigilant that their horses have access to fresh, clean water,” Professor Raidal said.
“Provision of shade is really important although animals don’t always seek shade and most of them are adapted to survive warm temperatures.
“So as long as they drink sufficiently to replace body water that is lost through evaporative cooling.”
The Daily Advertiser contacted the Bomen Livestock Selling Centre about whether the number of sheep being sold has decreased due to the drought and heatwave, however they have not responded.