Companion animals need more than cool water to cope with climate change

Record-breaking temperatures are the new norm. Just like us, animals suffer with the heat.

Each time a heatwave approaches, I am asked for advice about how to prevent heat stress in animals.

The practical tips that pet owners can take to protect their animal companions range from ensuring animals are have appropriate shelter that protects them from the heat to providing fresh, clean, cool water for drinking and (for some species) bathing.

But beyond the steps needed to protect animals in a heatwave, it is vital to understand that extreme weather is becoming the norm. It is no longer the exception.

Protecting animals from heat stress is no longer a matter of planning for companion animals for a handful of odd hot days over summer.

We need to recognise that climate change is making heatwaves more severe and frequent, and that we need to stop climate change to stop things from getting unbearably hot for animals, humans and the environment that sustains us. Aside from the risk of heat stress, extreme weather is associated with a higher bush fire risk. Bush fires are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates of animals (particularly wildlife but also livestock and sometimes companion animals).

The evidence is clear that our climate is changing. 2018 was Australia’s third warmest year on record, and also had the earliest ever total fire ban ever declared in NSW. Nine of Australia’s hottest ten years have occurred since 2005.

In the short term we need to cope with the heat, but we also need to take immediate action to tackle the root cause of the problem: burning fossil fuels for energy, which produce the greenhouse gas pollution that contributes to climate change. We need to urgently phase out polluting coal, oil, and gas in favour of clean and safe renewable energy if we are to protect Australia’s animals (companion animals, farm animals and wildlife), humans and the environment we occupy in the longer term.

This truly is a One Welfare issue and we need to prevail on politicians to tackle this problem.

If you’re not convinced, here are some trends reported in the Bureau of Meterology’s Annual Climate Statement (you can view it here). 

• 2018 was Australia’s third-warmest year on record (recording started in 1910), with an area-averaged mean temperature that was 1.14 degrees Celsius above the 1961 – 1900 average.
• Longer term, the 11-year mean average temperature for 2008-2018 was the highest on record (0.77 degrees Celsius above average).

For tips on preventing and treating heat stress in companion animals, check out my previous post here. http://www.smallanimaltalk.com/2014/01/heat-stress-and-heat-stroke-in-pets.html

Does climate change increase the rate of feline reproduction?

Kittens: They grow up faster than you think.

The short answer: we don’t know.

The slightly longer answer: yesterday Kristina Vesk, CEO of the Cat Protection Society (CPS), and I were interviewed on ABC News 24 by KumiTaguchi about a reported association between an increase in temperatures during the winter months and an increase in the intake of kittens by the CPS. Traditionally there was a distinct “kitten season”, usually spring, but CPS has noted a trend in its data saying that “season” is much longer in years where winter temperatures are warmer. Which is a problem, because already there are too many cats without homes.

As CPS acknowledge, there are limitations with this data. This is a trend, and does not prove that climate change means more kittens. In fact, adverse weather events may increase kitten mortality, particularly neonates that have less ability to thermoregulate. In Sydney, for example, minor flooding is common. Many litters are born in drains and in heavy rain they may perish. We don’t really know, as CPS CEO Kristina Vesk pointed out, there is no census of homeless cats and kittens (despite the fact that cats and kittens continue to rule the internet, they have not yet mastered its use). We also don't know how well an increase in admissions to CPS correlates with overall cat population numbers. It may be in fact that during those years where spikes were recorded, there was a spike in good samaritans. The data has not yet been subjected to statistical analysis, although the hypothesis that climate change alters reproductive rate is biologically plausible. 

What we do know is that changes in climate and photoperiod can impact on feline reproduction, although no one fully understands exactly how. We also know that there are too many cats killed in Australian shelters because they cannot find homes. To this end, early-age desexing and the practice of adopting cats and kittens from shelters are more likely to impact feline numbers than any interventions directed at climate change, even if a link is proven. Some owners still don’t realise that cats can become sexually active early in life, and that the gestation period is only around two months. One female cat can produce dozens of kittens in her lifetime.

It is, however, worth considering how climate change impacts animals more broadly. The Australian Veterinary Association has a draft policy on Climate Change and Animal Health, Welfare and Production (published in the January/Feburary 2016 AustralianVeterinary Journal). AVA members are invited to comment on the policy by March 25. Significantly, it states that the AVA “supports the science of climate change and accepts that human activity is contributing to climate change”. The policy acknowledges that there is more scope for veterinarians to support and participate on research on the impact of climate change on animal health, welfare and production.

Key areas where animals are impacted by climate change include:

• Changes in the habitat of native fauna
• Changes in the epidemiology and distribution of vector-borne diseases (in small animals this includes diseases like heartworm (dogs and cats) and calicivirus (rabbits), which are spread by mosquitoes).
• Changes in the potential for spread of arboviruses and henipahviruses
• Pasture growth and nutrition

All of the above changes will also impact human health and well-being.

At a practice level we’ve seen the loss of a distinct “tick season”, with paralysis ticks – traditionally favouring the warm months – being found on dogs and cats even in winter. In addition, we’ve seen and heard of a lot more cases of heat stress in animals in the Sydney area. It is hard for owners to plan for marked and unpredictable variations in temperature. Watch this space.

If, in the meantime, you're teetering on the brink of adopting a cat, this post may just tip you over.

What does climate change have to do with vets? Interview with Dr Guyan Weerasinghe

Guy with his companion, Glen Coco.

Should veterinarians be worried about climate change? Dr Guyan Weerasinghe is one vet who believes we need to be proactive about the future, and preparing for the impact of climate change on animals is a priority.

What’s your day job?

Currently, I am the District Veterinarian for Greater Sydney Local Land Services (within NSW Department of Trade and Investment). I used to work for RSPCA NSW and before that I was a dairy veterinarian in NZ. I also locum occasionally through a company called VetPeople.

What motivated you to become a vet?

Initially, as a child, it was because I loved animals and had the usual story of chasing lizards and cats whilst a toddler. Yet, my actual motivation as an adult was because of the interactions I had with people via the animals in their life. At some point in the distant past, I was considering studying medicine after my initial science degree yet I found (and it was pointed out to me by many of my friends) that I often spent more time talking with friends about their pets and their health. Yes, there is that aspect of helping animals and the applications of veterinary science in all its forms, however the honest answer is that I do this job for the people.

You are currently the President of the AVA’s Public Health special interest group. What is it about public health that interests you?

I remember sitting in week 1 of vet school (UQ) and having Dr Bec Traub give a presentation about zoonoses and the role of bats as hosts for many viruses. From that point I was hooked and knew that was the path I wanted to take (admittedly, I was also hooked on dairy medicine as well due to a great first lecture from Dr Malcolm McLennan, which is probably why I went into dairy practice after graduating). While I do ramble on about zoonoses, I am also driven by the “big picture” thinking that comes with public health and how it covers a wide range of subjects from epidemiology, infectious diseases, food security and food safety. I consider us the perfect specialty to have around in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

Terms like public health evoke thoughts of the health of people. But vets are about animals. Where is the crossover?

Humans have a strong link with animals – whether it be through their livelihoods such as being a dairy farmer, a tight bond between a child and their pet or through our love at seeing wild animals in their natural habitats. And yet, the social, economical and even physical health of these people is dependent on these animals being healthy, or aware of the risks that come with their interaction. Take for example the dairy farmer – we vaccinate their herd for leptospirosis which will not only be of benefit to the animals but also the people working with the cattle as well as the people living in neighbouring properties. A movement many of us within the veterinary public health sphere have been promoting is “One Health” – the interlinking and connectedness of animal, human and environmental health. It’s a movement that seeks to create collaboration between the veterinary, medical and environmental health practitioners and scientists. 

Among other issues, one of the hot topics in public health is climate change. What has climate change got to do with veterinary science?

Climate change is a global issue that will likely impact on areas such as vector-borne diseases, food security, welfare and biodiversity. If the modelling shows that climatic extremes will either be larger or longer in duration, then this will have an impact upon the animals we care for. Veterinarians have a role to play in managing these impacts and should be engaged with the issue. I see Climate Change as a good example of a One Health issue.

What are the things that veterinarians can do to minimise or avoid adverse impacts of climate change on animal health?

That’s a tough one – I feel that we will mostly be dealing with the direct impacts of climate change – if there are to be shifts in agricultural regions or vector geographical distribution, we should be talking about these risks amongst our clients. Additionally, I feel that we should provide our collective voice for some actual action in addressing climate change from the powers that be – I don’t think we should shy away from being part of the discussion.

How would you like to see the profession tackle the issue of climate change?

I see Climate Change will likely have an impact on animal health and welfare. As veterinarians, we pride ourselves as being the spokespeople on animal health and welfare and I see the need for us to be engaged and encouraging for meaningful action.  

Thanks Guy. If you’d like to join the facebook discussion group for Australian vets interested in public health, look here.

Follow Guy on twitter here @GuyWeerasinghe, or look him up on LinkedIn.