Anatomopathological characterization of thermal lesions in cattle

Major forest and rural fires have intensified and become increasingly frequent, driven by climate change resulting from anthropogenic actions. Animal farms are susceptible to fires, with serious consequences for the animals. The aim of this study is to describe the anatomopathological lesions of seven cattle that suffered thermal lesions of varying severity during a major fire that hit a teaching farm. Due to the poor therapeutic prognosis, these cattle were euthanised on different dates. The seven cattle had thermal lesions of grades II to IV, as well as smoke-related alterations to the upper respiratory system and systemic lesions that could be correlated with the consequences of the burns. This study can be used as a source of data for veterinary forensic pathologists or in comparative pathology.