Identification of Heatstroke Symptoms in Sheep and Detailed Explanation of Treatment Methods

Heatstroke in sheep is the collective term for sunstroke and heat exhaustion. Sunstroke is an acute lesion caused by direct sunlight on the sheep's head, leading to congestion of the brain and meninges; heat exhaustion is a disease in which damp, muggy weather causes the body's heat production to exceed heat dissipation, causing heat to accumulate within the body and resulting in central nervous system disorder.

Expert analysis of the disease. (1) Causes: Sunstroke is caused by direct exposure of the head to strong sunlight, making the head overheated and causing congestion of the brain and meninges. Heat exhaustion is caused by excessively high external temperatures, or a damp, muggy, crowded and cramped sheep shed, or poor ventilation during transport by vehicle or boat, with heat accumulating within the body.

(2) Symptoms: In the early stage, the sick sheep shows extreme listlessness, reduced or complete loss of appetite, unsteady gait, swaying, and accelerated heartbeat. The pulse is rapid and weak, the respiratory rate increases, breathing is difficult, body temperature rises, visible mucous membranes are flushed, muscles tremble, and the whole body sweats; some develop a state of excitement after onset. In the later stage, the sheep often lies down and cannot rise due to exhaustion, or suddenly falls to the ground motionless in a comatose state, and finally dies from cardiac paralysis.

Expert treatment. (1) Prevention: In summer, heat prevention and cooling measures for the sheep shed should be carried out well; grazing at noon is strictly prohibited; during the midday rest, the sheep should be moved to a shady place or under the shade of trees, and adequate drinking water must be ensured.

(2) Treatment: a. Upon discovering a sick sheep, immediately move it to a well-ventilated shady place, pour cool water over its head and whole body, or administer a cool water enema. b. When the sick sheep is comatose and unresponsive, bloodletting can be performed from the jugular vein; the volume of blood let depends on the size and physical condition of the sick sheep, generally 80-100 milliliters; after bloodletting, fluid replacement should be given, with intravenous injection of 500-1000 milliliters of sodium chloride injection; c. When the sick sheep has cardiac weakness or severe edema, 4 milliliters of 10% caffeine sodium benzoate should be injected intravenously.