Abstract

Heat Intolerance Associated with Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle: A Neglected Syndrome

Authors: Vedastus W. Makene

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.71081/cvj/2025.045

Abstract
Heat intolerance (HI) syndrome is a chronic condition sequel to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals and is endemic in many regions of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. FMD is typically characterized by fever, anorexia, excessive salivation, and vesicular lesions on the mouth, teats, and feet, often resulting in mastitis, lameness, and some cases, complications such as heat intolerance. HI syndrome has been reported in some cattle following FMD outbreaks in Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Tanzania. The syndrome is characterized by shade-seeking behaviour, panting, hair overgrowth, hyperthermia, weight loss, and reduced milk production. Despite extensive research on the pathogenesis and economic burden of FMD, HI syndrome remains poorly understood. This review synthesizes the existing knowledge on HI syndrome, highlights key knowledge gaps, and recommends future research directions for this neglected syndrome associated with FMD in cattle.

Keywords: Cattle, Foot and Mouth Disease, Hairy Panter, Heat Intolerance Syndrome, Panting syndrome