Dynamics of Veterinary Clinical Decision-making for Domestic Ruminants Affected by Wildfires in South Africa

Wildfires pose a significant threat to livestock, frequently resulting in burn injuries. Assessing the affected animals in the field is crucial for making informed decisions. However, this evaluation is often subjective and relies on the experience of the evaluator, leading to potential misdiagnoses of burn severity and inefficient allocation of resources. This work consulted veterinary-trained individuals with varying clinical experience to better understand the dynamics of their decision-making processes when applied to wildfire burn cases in domestic ruminants. This study concluded that novice practitioners prioritise prognosis and cost of treatment when making decisions for burned ruminants. However, as the practitioner’s level of experience grows, there is a tendency to place less emphasis on economic factors and more on the animal’s welfare, especially concerning their systemic involvement and possibility of recovery with the available treatment intervention provided in the field, ultimately guiding the final decision.