SIGNIFICANT MORTALITY OF RUMINANTS DUE TO ACUTE HYPOTHERMIA IN NORTH AND EASTERN REGIONS IN SRI LANKA

J.K.H.Ubeyratne, D.G.S.S.Bulumulla, T. Mayurathi, P.L.Kumarawadu,

R. Gawurithilagan, A.Prabaharan

Summary
• Ruminant deaths due to cold shock have never been reported
in Sri Lanka previously
• A considerable number of deaths of ruminants occurred in an
extreme cold exposure event in the north and eastern regions
in Sri Lanka on 8th December 2022
• Shivering, cold
Cyclone
nostrils and
Mandous hooves,
tachycardia,
History & Clinical signs incoordination,
• There were a total of 831 Cattle, 33 buffalo, and
tachypnea, loss
199 goat deaths in association with cold weather
of consciousness,
due to cyclone Mandous which caused heavy
and death
rains and speedy winds
• Cold shock responses were characterized by
tachycardia, tachypnea, and respiratory gasp
• Tachypnea causes blood to become more alkaline
and is identified as having higher pH levels
(respiratory alkalosis) in affected animals
Materials and Methods Results
• Postmortem samples were tested • Tested samples were negative for
for infectious diseases (Haemorrhagic Septicaemia and
• The collected blood samples from Black Quarter)
affected animals and non-affected • In comparison to the normal
animals were tested for blood pH blood pH of cattle (n=20) and
goats (n=20) (pH =7.5), affected
animals had higher pH levels, in
Non Affected blood goats (n=27) pH 8.5-9.5,
(pH 7.5) cattle (n=39) pH 8.5-10.5
Affected blood (pH • Mean pH of affected ruminants
8.5-10.5) (pH=9.2) is significantly (p<0.001)
higher than non-affected
ruminants (pH=7.5)
Discussion and Conclusion

• This is the first reported extreme cold event encountered in ruminants in Sri Lanka
• This study indicates that strategies to minimize the impact of extreme cold weather on
extensive livestock rearing are needed to be considered to minimize losses

Acknowledgements
Authors very much
appreciate the assistance
of the staff of CVIC/VRI
and the staffs of respective
DVICs