Regional Unpreparedness
Canadian wildfire smoke has brought air quality concerns to the Midwest, specifically Central Illinois, where livestock and pets may be at risk. Animal welfare expert Angela Green-Miller from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign notes that the region is not equipped to handle polluted air.
- Central Illinois is not accustomed to polluted air, making it ill-prepared to cope with smoky conditions for animals.
- Commercial indoor animal production facilities, such as poultry and pig farms, have implemented air filtration systems to mitigate airborne diseases.
- However, most residential homes and farms lack adequate filtration systems.
Practical Advice for Minimizing Health Effects
Animal welfare expert Angela Green-Miller offers practical advice for minimizing potential health effects on livestock producers and pet owners.
- For everyone, including livestock and pets, it’s essential to avoid overexertion to minimize breathing deeper and pulling pollutants into the lungs.
- For highly active dogs, consider alternative exercise options, such as indoor play or shorter walks during cleaner air times.
- Monitor weather conditions and plan outdoor activities during periods of improved air quality.
Monitoring Animal Behavior
Green-Miller also emphasizes the importance of monitoring animal behavior while the skies remain hazy.
- Animals may exhibit abnormal behavior due to smoke, including heightened senses of danger and flight responses.
- These responses can manifest as fearful, defensive, or aggressive postures.
- While there’s limited ability to mitigate these effects, being aware of animal behavior can help prevent accidents and ensure animal safety.
Short-Term Consequences
While most animals are unlikely to suffer long-term consequences from the current situation, those with pre-existing respiratory conditions are at a higher risk of health complications.
| Animal Type | Pre-existing Respiratory Condition | Health Complications |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | Chronic bronchitis or asthma | Prolonged coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing |
| Cats | Chronic bronchitis or asthma | Prolonged coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing |
| Cattle | Chronic bronchitis or pneumonia | Respiratory distress, coughing, or difficulty breathing |
Conclusion
Fortunately, most animals are not likely to suffer long-term consequences from the current situation. While it’s essential to take precautions to minimize potential health effects, animal welfare experts like Angela Green-Miller emphasize the importance of awareness and responsible animal handling.
“Concerns for animals are similar to those for people. One of them being not overexerting yourself to avoid breathing deeper and pulling pollutants deeper into your lungs — the same applies to all animals, including livestock and pets. So, don’t go out and ride your horse, because they’re going to breathe deeper and pull more particulates into their lungs. If you normally run with your highly active dog to get some of that energy out, maybe take a walk instead or toss a toy indoors,” she said.