By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Pet and livestock owners in Negros Occidental were advised to take precautionary measures against excess heat this summer.

Dr. Placeda Lemana, Provincial Veterinary Office head, reminded livestock farmers to make sure that their hogs and chicken pens are well-ventilated.

Carabaos and cattle should not be exposed to the heat and must be placed under the shade to prevent them getting heat stroke, she added.

Lemana also advised giving them adequate drinking water and vitamin supplements to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Meanwhile, pets should have adequate access to drinking water at all times and to regularly bathe them to prevent them from going berserk due to the intense heat.

According to the Royal Veterinary College, animals are unable to cool down by sweating as humans do, so they are less able to regulate their body temperature.

Lemana also warned that the high temperatures can also cause stillbirth among pregnant pets and livestock.

Earlier, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson was confident that the province would be able to manage the upcoming dry spell caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

Aside from livestock, Lacson advised farmers to finish their harvest for this season and make preparations for next year.

The governor also revealed that they will be reviewing some assistance options for local farmers./DGB, WDJ