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Wildfires Probably Not Affecting Livestock Reproduction
By Regina Elling
Despite the local rumors, the October 2007 wildfires that roared through Ramona and a large portion of San Diego County may not be to blame for some unusual reproduction problems in local livestock.
Veterinarian Christi Garfinkel has seen a couple of cases of problems in newborn goats born shortly after the fires.
"Since sheep and goats have a very short gestation period, if they were in the early stages of pregnancy right at the time of the fires, the fetal development could have been disrupted," Garfinkel explains. "However, if the fetus was fully developed at the time, there may not be any problems."
In the case of the goats, they all appeared to be from the same herd, and birth defects were noted in some of the babies. One kid was born blind, but a short treatment of vaccinations and eye medication cured the animal.
"Again, we can't say for sure that being exposed to the fire was the definite cause of the animals' problems," she says. "On the other hand, many animals suffered dehydration during this event because of the severe Santa Ana we had at the time. Also, many water sources were unavailable, and often what was there was covered in soot and ash."
Some animals didn't have food available or their feeding schedules were changed; other animals were stressed from wandering loose or being in unfamiliar surroundings.
In other cases, a couple of horse owners have reported that their mares aborted their foals shortly after the fires.
According to Garfinkel, while the cases may be fire-related, it might also be from numerous other factors.
"Since the fires have passed, we are all hyperaware right now," she says. "Unfortunately, many of these events may still have happened even without the stress of the wildfires."
Veterinarian Miska Padget agrees with Garfinkel's assessment.
"The only livestock reproductive problem I have seen, and can say with certainty was the direct result of the wildfires, was an alpaca that had her baby two weeks early," Padget says. "That particular animal was really stressed from the evacuation."
Garfinkel and Padget both stress that livestock owners with pregnant animals pay extra close attention to their charges.
"If possible, the owners should monitor the birth," says Garfinkel. "If any abnormalities are noted, call the vet immediately. In many cases, there might be a treatment available, and it might not be too expensive for the animal to be saved."
Padget adds, "I doubt that there will be any problems resulting from the wildfires by this time. However, owners should be diligent, and should not hesitate to call a veterinarian if there are any problems."
Christi Garfinkel, D.V.M., can be reached at 619-659-1180 or on her Web site at www.drgarfinkel.com. Miska Padget, D.V.M., can be reached by calling 760-504-6713.
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