Wild fires have become the new normal for many areas of the world, and subsequent health consequences have emerged as an important problem affecting large numbers of horses.
Wild fire racing over the hill
For those of us in California with a Mediterranean climate, large areas are affected by unrelenting fires, which produce a particular challenge to horse owners and those providing veterinary care.
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For those of us in California with a Mediterranean climate, large areas are affected by unrelenting fires, which produce a particular challenge to horse owners and those providing veterinary care.
There is a paucity of education and training in disaster and emergency response in veterinary curricula, including the health consequences of wildfires.Wildfires can create health problems in horses by direct and indirect exposure to flames and smoke, injury during flight or evacuation, and/or disruption of the horse’s food and water sources.
Wildfire-smoke health effects include primary smoke exposure with direct smoke inhalation and secondary smoke-related air quality issues in areas adjacent to fires where smoke has permeated the environment.
Wildfire smoke reduces air quality. It contains small amounts of the toxic gases within the smoke and particulate matter, soot, and other substances depending on what has burned. Particulate matter within smoke is microscopic and quickly descends into the lower airways of horses producing bronchial and pulmonary inflammation.
Eye and nasal irritation, coughing, and increased respiratory efforts may be observed pri-marily in horses with a history of heaves or recurrent airway obstruction disorders. Published daily reports of air quality indexes that guide humans should be considered for determining horse-related activities.
Events that induce increased respiratory efforts may need to be postponed, and horses with massive smoke exposure may need four to six weeks to recover completely from lower airway inflam-mation. Horses with elevated respiratory rates or persistent cough may require veterinary intervention, including bronchial dilators, airway hydration, and further testing.
Smoke inhalation from immediate association with fire can produce thermal injury to the lungs from hot gases and the toxic effects of the smoke components. Often these horses also show evidence of thermal skin injuries.
Thermal injury burns to the skin, eyes, limbs, and hoofs can be seen in horses exposed to excessive heat and flames. Horses can incur first-, second-, and third-degree burns. The extent of affected body surface area and the degree of burns can determine prognosis. Equine burn victims may require daily treatments lasting several weeks.
Flight-related injuries may be diverse and occur when horses are fleeing the loud noises associated with rapidly approaching wildfires and related responses of emergency personnel and fire sup-pression vehicles.
Horses left behind during evacuation may remain uninjured by the fire. However, they can be without food and water for extended periods, because owners are often prevented from returning to the affected area for several days.
Horses are frequently evacuated from areas at risk. Evacuation carries many risks to horses associated with trailer loading mishaps and injuries, exposure to infectious diseases due to housing in new areas with high densities of horses, and poor biosecurity.
Many evacuations must occur rapidly and at night, which produces additional risks. Early evacuation is strongly suggested using a previously prepared plan that addresses capture, movement to a safe area, and horse identification.
Press release provided by Equine Disease Quarterly, Article by John Madigan, DVM, MS Diplomate ACVIM, ACAW, University of California-Davis,