Ask the Vet
Lightning Strikes Common Cause of Cattle Deaths
READER QUESTION:
We found a cow dead in the middle of the pasture with no signs of struggle. She was badly bloated. All other cows in the pasture were fine. We had a thunderstorm the night before we found her, but there is also a good bit of clover in this pasture. She was at least 100 yards from a tree or a fenceline. Is there some way to know what killed her?
DR. MCMILLAN'S ANSWER:
Physical signs on the carcass or in the environment are thought to be present in more than 90% of cases of death from lightning. These can include linear singe marks, especially on the insides of the legs. There is often damage to a tree or a fence pole, or disturbed ground. There is almost never any sign of struggle. Death by lightning strike is almost always instantaneous. Cattle may have grass in their mouth, normal rumen content and fecal material. In lightning-strike cases, rigor mortis quickly sets in and passes. Rumen distension is from free gas rather than frothy bloat commonly seen with clovers and other bloat-inducing forages.
In the case of insured animals, always take pictures at the death site. An examination of the animal prior to moving it may be helpful. A necropsy by either your local veterinarian or a state diagnostic lab can be helpful if done soon after death. Common findings at necropsy when lightning is the cause of death include poorly clotted or unclotted blood, hemorrhagic marks and/or blood clots in the trachea, nasal turbinates and sinuses. Lungs of cattle killed by lightning are not compressed as they typically are with bloat. The lungs, liver, kidneys and other organs are congested with bloody material and have hemorrhagic areas on their surfaces. Poorly clotted blood tends to pool in extremities like the head, neck, front and rear legs.
I recommend contacting your local USDA Farm Service Agency. The Livestock Indemnity Program provides assistance to producers for livestock deaths that exceed normal mortality rates from eligible disaster events such as hurricanes, floods, blizzards, wildfires, tornadoes, lightning, disease, extreme heat, extreme cold and earthquakes.
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Editor's Note: Please contact your veterinarian with questions about the health of your herd or other animals. Every operation is unique, and the information in this column does not pertain to all situations. This is not intended as medical advice but is purely for informational purposes. Email Dr. Ken McMillan at vet@dtn.com
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