Moga, 25 July 2025: Dr. Harveen Kaur Dhaliwal, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Moga, informed that during the rainy season, while it is important to protect milch (dairy) animals from heat, it is equally important to take care of their feed and fodder. This season brings high temperatures and humidity, which promote the growth of mold and microbes in feed. These mycotoxins enter the animal’s body and can cause diseases, which may then be passed to humans through milk.
She mentioned that it is commonly observed in households that spoiled grains, jaggery, pickles, and vegetable waste are thrown into animal troughs. This not only harms the animal’s digestion but also affects the quality of milk consumed by humans.
Dr. Dhaliwal further explained that fodder that has rotted or is overly soaked due to excessive rain may contain toxic substances like nitrates, cyanide, selenium, lead, and arsenic, which can cause various health issues in animals such as skin diseases, digestive disorders, mouth infections, liver, lung, and heart problems, and in severe cases, sudden death. Even coarse or overripe fodder can become poisonous.
She emphasized that if any symptoms of poisoning appear in animals, immediate contact should be made with the nearest veterinary hospital for treatment.
Additionally, she advised that vaccination for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS) should be administered on time to protect animals during the rainy and hot seasons.
Summary :
Dr. Harveen Kaur Dhaliwal emphasized the importance of providing proper shelter, hygiene, and nutrition to milch animals during the rainy and summer seasons for their well-being.