Heat waves of this nature often stress livestock housed outdoors by increasing their water requirements and consumption. Kansas State University veterinary toxicologist Steve Ensley said the consequences of this added need for water can lead livestock to experience water deprivation and salt toxicity. “If there is only one in a pen or limited flow, and they cannot consume water for even two hours, water deprivation can become an issue.”Water deprivation simultaneously occurs with another condition called salt toxicity, according to Ensley. “As an animal dehydrates during a water deprivation event, their bodies will pull fluid out of their brain. “Due to the residual brain damage, they may go partially blind, but there are no food safety concerns or effects on a carcass after recovering from salt toxicity,” Ensley said.