Lecture 28 Flashcards
What are many welfare prlbmes associated with?
1 pt
A stress response, which increases the risk of disease
How does stress response increase the risk of disease?
3 pts
- Increases gut permeability
- Alters expression of neutrophil genes (antibacterial function)
- Challenges immune system
How is transportation a welfare concern for cattle?
7 pts
- Unfamiliar sounds
- Unpredictable motions (start-stop, turns)
- Temperature
- Water and feed restriction
- Handling during loading and unloading
- Crowding, commingling
- Issues related to cull cows
What are the federal regulations for transporting animals?
7 pts
- Selection of animals that are fit for th eintended transportand confinement
- Withdrawal of feed, water, and rest (FWR)
- Handling of the animals
- Loading the animals
- Transport and related confinement of animals
- Unloading the animals
- Timing of the post tranport access to feed, water and rest
What are some recent changes made to cattle transport?
4 pts
- 12 h for young calves - single transport event (from 18 h)
- 36 h for bovines with functioning rumen (from 48 h)
- 12 h for compromised cattle (from no specification)
- Longer routes require unloading and provision for feed, water, and 8 h rest (from 5 hours)
What is the difference between compromised and unfit cattle?
2 pts
- Compromised: may only be transported with special provisions for care
- Unfit: may only be transported for veterinary or diagnosis
What are the pros and cons of rest stops?
2 pts
Pros
* Mid-journey rest stops have the potential to alleviate transit-related stress and deprivation of feed and water caused by long-distance transport
Cons
* Mixing of unfamiliar animals at rest stops could cause stress, risk of agression, additional loading and unloading, unfamiliar water drinkers and feed bunks
What is the difference between rested vs unrested and auction vs ranch direct?
1 pt
There are few statistically significant differences
How does conditioning help vs non-conditioning?
6 pts
- increase NEFA (fat breakdown)
- increase SAA and Haptoglobin (inflammation)
- increase CK (muscle damage)
- increase standing time (discomfort)
- decrease cortisol (stress)
- decrease flight speed (fear)
What is castration used for in cattle and what are the requirements?
5 pts
To avoid unwanted breeding, reduce aggression (improve human and animal safety) and improve carcass quality
Requirements:
* Castrate calves as young as possible (preferably <1 week)
* Castration must be performed by competent personnel using proper instruments
* Seek guidance from your veterinarian on method, timing and pain control
* Use pain control to mitigate pain associated with castration in bulls older than 6 months
What is dehorning and disbudding and what are the requirements?
5 pts
To decrease the risk of injury for handlers and other cattle, and minimize the economic loss due to carcass bruising
Requirements:
* Disbud calves as early as practically possible (<2-3 months)
* Dehorning must be performed by competent personnel using proper instruments
* Seek guidance from your veterinarian on pain control
* Use pain control to mitigate pain associated with dehorning after horn bud attachment
What is branding and what are the requirements?
5 pts
- Permanent animal identification, easy to identify from a distance, and legally accepted as proof of ownership. It may be required by cmmunity pastures, lending institutions or for export
- Minimize the pain of branding by using correct techniques: Hot iron or freeze branding
Requirements:
* All cattle must be identified using an approved ear tag as stimulated by applicable regulations
* It must be performed with the proper equipment, restraint and by competent personnel
* Do not brand wet cattle due to risk of scalding
How is the pain scoring system scored?
4 pts
- 0-4: normal
- 5-9: monitor carefully, consider analgesics
- 10-14: suffering, provide relief, observe regularly. Seek second opinion from expert
- 15-20: severe pain; consider euthanasia
What are some behaviours associated with pain in cattle?
6 pts
- Time in contorted abnormal lateral or ventral recumbency
- Number of times foot stamping
- Number of kicks
- Number of tail flicks
- Time standing still, walking (restless), or lying down
- Number of head shakes
How to measure temperament?
3 pts
- Chute score: strain gauges connected to head gate
- Flight speed: laser beams
- Open field test: number of squares visited, lines crossed, time spent walking vs running and in center vs squares
