Simple SummaryThis article describes common challenges to managing animals in disasters in the US, summarizes how some of these challenges are being met and makes recommendations on how to overcome others. Many predictable adverse situations affecting animals and their owners can be prevented when communities develop a comprehensive emergency management strategy that integrates animal care into planning, preparedness, mitigation, and recovery activities, as well as response.AbstractCommon to many of the repeated issues surrounding animals in disasters in the U.S. is a pre-existing weak animal health infrastructure that is under constant pressure resulting from pet overpopulation. Unless this root cause is addressed, communities remain vulnerable to similar issues with animals they and others have faced in past disasters. In the US the plight of animals in disasters is frequently viewed primarily as a response issue and frequently handled by groups that are not integrated with the affected community’s emergency management. In contrast, animals, their owners, and communities would greatly benefit from integrating animal issues into an overall emergency management strategy for the community. There is no other factor contributing as much to human evacuation failure in disasters that is under the control of emergency management when a threat is imminent as pet ownership. Emergency managers can take advantage of the bond people have with their animals to instill appropriate behavior amongst pet owners in disasters.

Treatment of bovine lateral saphenous vein (cranial branch) and dorsal metatarsal artery with lysergamide (lysergic acid amide), an alkaloid in abundance in tall fescue, resulted in vasoconstriction similar to that previously shown for the ergot alkaloids ergonovine and ergotamine. Preincubation of tissues with lysergamide resulted in partial inhibition of the contractile response induced by the selective adrenergic agents phenylephrine and BHT-920 (P < .05), indicating partial agonist or antagonist activity of lysergamide at these receptors. Bovine vessels were strongly contracted by serotonin, and the response was markedly inhibited (P < .01) when tissues were preincubated with lysergamide. Studies with selective serotonergic agents indicated that lysergamide may have predilection for serotonin-2 receptors (5-HT2). Thus, lysergamide by itself has vasoconstrictor activity and acts as a partial agonist or antagonist at adrenergic and serotonergic receptors. Further studies are needed to establish the exact receptor effects of lysergamide. However, it is evident that this important alkaloid found in tall fescue infested with the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum should be given consideration in studies designed to alleviate the fescue toxicosis syndrome in cattle.

The objective of this research was to characterize the adrenergic receptor response in veins of cattle that grazed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), with (E+) and without (E-) fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum) infection. Measurement of contractile response of lateral saphenous veins to selective adrenergic receptor agonists (alphal, phenylephrine; alpha2, BHT-920) revealed enhanced reactivity (greater contractile response) only for the alpha2 adrenergic receptor in E+ pastured cattle. This response was consistent over a 3-yr grazing period. Significant contractility differences in response to BHT-920 occurred at concentrations of 3x10(-6) M and greater. Early research has reasoned that the enhanced reactivity is due to endophyte toxin effect on intracellular signaling systems. The enhanced contractile effect would alter blood flow dynamics and contribute to clinical signs and pathologic change in animals. The alpha2-adrenergic receptor is also involved in the control of many metabolic reactions. Thus, for drug therapy to be successful in reversing the adverse effects of E+ tall fescue exposure in cattle, effects on the alpha2-adrenergic tissue receptors must be neutralized.

Perilla ketone, from the essential oil of Perilla frutescens, is a potent pulmonary edemagenic agent for laboratory animals and livestock. This finding would account for reported effects of the plant on grazing cattle. The use of perilla in oriental foods and medicinal preparations suggests possible hazards to human health as well.