Abstract
Abstract Heat stress is a major concern and a common cause of poor welfare in both dairy and feedlot cattle. Heat stress is expected to become a more challenging task with climate change for cattle industry in hot tropics of the world. In situations when there is an excessive heat load, cattle may initiate behavioural as well as physiological responses to preserve and restore thermal equilibrium. Increases in body temperature, respiration, and perspiration and modifications to liver, kidney, and hypothalamus function are examples of physiological reactions. Cattle that modify their behaviour are better able to adapt to their surroundings and maintain equilibrium. Shade seeking, crowding at the water trough, increased water consumption and water splashing, increased breathing and panting behaviour, and bunching and altered eating behaviour are the main behavioural changes in cattle that have been observed in response to a heat load condition. This case study aimed to review the importance of understanding various behavioural alterations to assess heat stress in cattle and to accelerate response time to these animals. The understanding of behavioural alterations for cattle experiencing hot environmental temperature will be helpful to establish future research horizon to ameliorate heat stress in cattle. Information © The Author 2024
Published Version
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