Investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reduction.

Introduction: Piglet facial and sow teat lesions are the main reported reasons why pig producers routinely practice teeth resection. This is a painful procedure performed on piglets, where their needle teeth are clipped or ground to resect the pointed tip. The practice raises welfare concerns. In contrast to other procedures, such as tail docking, we know little about the risk factors for these two types of lesions. Methods: We employed two methods to answer these questions: (1) reviewing the literature to identify potential risk factors, and (2) surveying pig production stakeholders worldwide to identify the occurrence of these lesions and the strategies used in practice that enable pig producers to manage or prevent these lesions while avoiding teeth resection. For the literature review, we used Google Scholar to include peer-reviewed publications and gray literature. We distributed the survey using convenience sampling and documented information on the current situation regarding teeth resection, including the methods, frequencies, and reasons for resecting piglets' teeth, the occurrence of piglet facial and sow teat lesions, and measures used to prevent and control these lesions. Results: The literature review identified six major risk factors for both lesions, including the presence or absence of teeth resection, housing system, litter size, piglet management, environmental enrichment, milk production and other piglet management practices. However, most studies focused on the effects of the first two factors with very few studies investigating the other risk factors. There were 75 responses to the survey from 17 countries. The survey showed that half of the respondents practiced teeth resection with many recognizing that facial and teat lesions are the main reasons behind this practice. However, many producers used other interventions rather than teeth resection to prevent these lesions. These interventions focused on improving milk production of the sow, managing large litters, and providing environmental enrichment. Discussion: More research is needed to validate these interventions and more science-based advice is needed to bridge the gap between research and practice to help more producers further understand the cause of piglet facial and sow teat lesions to transition toward the cessation of routine teeth resection.

The Welfare of Beef Cattle in the Scientific Literature From 1990 to 2019: A Text Mining Approach.

Beef cattle are the third most numerous terrestrial farmed animals worldwide. Factors such as geographical region, animal category, breed, and rearing system pose specific animal welfare challenges that can have an impact on animal and public health. This article uses text mining (TM) and topic analysis (TA) to explore the scientific literature on beef cattle welfare published in English from 1990 to 2019. Our aim was to reveal the main research topics and their evolution over time. Our analysis showed that the three most relevant themes in research since 1990 have to do with calf behaviour and management, efficiency, and environmental sustainability, and the effects of transport and slaughter on meat quality. Topics showing the most marked increase in the number of papers published deal with stakeholders' perceptions and market opportunities for added-value beef products and risk factors for morbidity and mortality, especially in relation to calf health, antimicrobial use, and antimicrobial resistance. The results indicate a particular focus on the welfare of calves, especially in the veal industry. Pain relief during the castration of calves and bulls also featured prominently. Research is also increasingly assessing aspects of beef cattle welfare that are interlinked to meat quality, the social and environmental sustainability of the sector in relation to market opportunities, and public health. The identified topics represent a basic source of information that can be used for further and more detailed analyses (e.g., systematic reviews) focussed on specific research themes or geographical areas.

Factors influencing claw lesion scoring in sows.

Claw lesions have a multifactorial origin and may affect sow welfare and farm profitability. However, estimating the precise impact is hampered by several factors that interfere with the accuracy of claw lesion assessment. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of observer, scoring condition and claw cleanliness on claw lesion scoring in sows. The first experiment evaluated the impact of observer by calculating the inter- and intra-observer reliability during three test sessions using photographs. The second experiment evaluated the impact of observer, scoring condition (Feet First© chute of Zinpro Corp., "sow chute" vs. Mobile Claw Scoring Device, "MCSD"), and claw cleanliness (clean or soiled claws) on claw lesion scoring. For this experiment, 20 hybrid mid-gestating sows were hoisted up using the sow chute in which the MCSD was positioned. Lateral and medial claw digits of both hind claws were scored for heel horn erosion and separations along the heel/sole junction and white line. Scores were given by drawing a vertical bar on a 160 mm tagged visual analogue scale (tVAS); the severity of a claw lesion type was determined by measuring the distance from 0 mm. Four scores per sow were collected and analysed: clean claws × MCSD video recordings, soiled claws × MCSD video recordings, clean claws × visual scoring in a sow chute, and soiled claws × visual scoring in a sow chute. In both experiments, observer had an impact on the claw lesion scores. The inter-observer reliability was highest for overgrown dewclaws and lowest for the horizontal wall cracks (0.84 and 0.35, resp.). The highest intra-observer reliability was found for overgrown dewclaws and heel horn erosion (0.89) and lowest for vertical wall cracks (0.64). Furthermore, scoring condition and claw cleanliness influenced the scores in the second experiment and the limits of agreements were high (23.5-58.9 mm). The improved concordance correlation coefficient (iCCC) was highest for the heel horn erosion scores. In conclusion, the impact of observer seemed less relevant for claw lesion scoring; however, claw cleanliness and scoring condition were important and cannot be used interchangeably.

Protection of Dairy Cattle in the EU: State of Play and Directions for Policymaking from a Legal and Animal Advocacy Perspective.

With the exception of a detailed Directive for calves, the welfare of dairy cattle is not regulated by species-specific legislation in the European Union. Their basic protection falls under the provisions of Directive 98/58/EC, also known as the "General Farm Animals Directive". Article 3 of this Directive states: "Member States shall make provision to ensure that the owners or keepers take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals under their care and to ensure that those animals are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury". However, recent reports show that the welfare of dairy cows in the EU is not sufficiently monitored and that serious problems persist. Lameness, mastitis, cubicle design, flooring, cleanliness, and permanent tethering remain critical areas. We argue that, to demonstrate compliance with Article 3 of Directive 98/58, farmers and Member States should urgently address these issues. The increasing proportion of cows that are never allowed to graze and high milk yields are also reasons for concern and will need to be addressed as a matter of priority in future EU guides to good practice and, eventually, legislation.

Addressing Lameness in Farmed Animals: An Urgent Need to Achieve Compliance with EU Animal Welfare Law.

Lameness is the clinical manifestation of a range of painful locomotory conditions affecting many species of farmed animals. Although these conditions have serious consequences for animal welfare, productivity, and longevity, the prevention and treatment of lameness continue to receive insufficient attention in most farming sectors across the European Union (EU). In this paper, we outline the legislative framework that regulates the handling of lameness and other painful conditions in farmed animals in the EU. We briefly outline the current situation in different livestock farming sectors. Finally, we make the case for the introduction of regular on-farm monitoring of lameness and for the setting of alarm thresholds that should trigger corrective actions.

Efforts to Ban the Routine Tail Docking of Pigs and to Give Pigs Enrichment Materials via EU Law: Where do We Stand a Quarter of a Century on?

In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the European Commission must ensure that Member States enforce EU law within their territories. If adequate enforcement is found to be wanting, the Commission also has the power to take infringement procedures as a corrective measure. The case of Directive 120/2008/EC on the protection of pigs is problematic, as only a few Member States are respecting the ban on routine tail docking, whilst not all pigs are given (adequate) enrichment materials. Twenty-five years after the first EU-wide legal ban on routine tail docking came into force, we are faced with an unprecedented situation that may lead to infringement procedures against more than 20 Member States. This paper describes the various steps that led to the development of the EU law designed specifically to safeguard the welfare of pigs. It lists the numerous efforts (research studies, study visits, recommendations, audits, reports, factsheets, action plans, etc.), undertaken by European decision makers to assist Member States in their efforts to better implement and enforce the relevant rules. Finally, the paper further analyses the current state of play and presents a reflection on possible future scenarios.

On-Farm Claw Scoring in Sows Using a Novel Mobile Device.

Claw lesions and lameness in sows are important problems in the industry as they impair sow welfare and result in economic losses. Available scoring techniques to detect claw lesions are all limited in terms of collecting data during all reproductive phases and recording all claws. The Mobile Claw Scoring Device (MCSD) was designed to address these limitations. After considering different practical situations and a design phase, two prototypes were constructed and tested. Improvements were incorporated into a final aluminium apparatus, consisting of two cameras with light-emitting diode (LED) lights mounted in a two-segment aluminium box and covered with laminated tempered glass plates. The operating system slides underneath the claws and takes video images. This final prototype was optimised and validated in an experiment with 20 hybrid sows, comparing scores for soiled claws using the MCSD against scores for clean claws using the Feet First© sow chute (as gold standard). Fifty percent of the scores differed between both scoring tools, with mainly medial claw digits deviating, but this seemed biologically irrelevant. The MCSD seems to be an appropriate alternative for on-farm claw scoring and is distinguishable from other claw scoring techniques; however, it needs further optimisation to improve the similarity between the two techniques.

Appropriateness of Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) prescription in patients admitted to hospital: Attitudes of general practitioners and hospital physicians in Italy.

INTRODUCTION: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescriptions have raised concern for both huge increase of health expenditure and possible long-term adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate appropriateness of PPI prescription in ambulatory and hospital care. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. PATIENTS: Patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Unit of Bologna S. Orsola Hospital between 15/09/2013 and 15/12/2013. Data on clinical condition and drug therapy were collected at three time points: admission (reflecting GP's prescription), hospital stay and discharge. MAIN MEASURES: Appropriateness of PPI use was evaluated as follows: (1) agreement between PPI use/non-use and appropriate clinical condition; (2) in PPI users, assessment of Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI). Differences in appropriateness among time points were analyzed by chi-square test. Logistic regression model was used to identify possible determinants of PPI appropriateness. KEY RESULTS: Among 280 patients, 56% received PPI at least once in the three time points. Appropriateness, according to indication of use, was similar between admission and hospital stay (61% vs. 62%; p=0.82) and between hospital stay and discharge (62% vs. 59%; p=0.94). MAI score showed important, although statistically non-significant, change in appropriateness between admission and hospital stay (20% vs. 28%; p=0.16). Age≥65 was always associated with appropriate PPI use (up to OR=4.37; p<0.01), whereas cardiovascular comorbidity and conditions requiring analgesic treatment influenced appropriateness only at admission (OR=3.84; p<0.01 and OR=0.34; p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hospital clinicians only rarely reconsidered GP's choice to prescribe PPI. Room for improvement in PPI appropriateness is represented by (1) assessing gastrointestinal risk in each patient under analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and (2) short-term re-evaluation of PPI prescription after discharge.

Marginal dietary zinc concentration affects claw conformation measurements but not histological claw characteristics in weaned pigs.

The aim of the present study was to explore whether marginal dietary zinc (Zn) concentrations affect claw quality measurements in weaned pigs. Twenty-four weaned pigs were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups: (1) 42 mg Zn/kg diet from ingredients only (unsupplemented, marginal dietary Zn concentration below Zn requirements of 80 mg Zn/kg feed); and (2) 106 mg Zn/kg diet, where Zn was added as ZnO (common commercial dietary Zn concentration). Claw conformation characteristics were measured at the start (day 0, 4 weeks of age) and at the end (day 36) of the study, and the histological claw characteristics of horn wall and heel horn were examined on samples collected at 9 weeks of age. Non-supplemented pigs had narrower claw widths (P= 0.028) and lower toe heights (P= 0.010) at 9 weeks. The length of the dorsal border tended to be lower for the non-supplemented piglets (P= 0.092). Claw volume and claw horn size were lower (P= 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively) for the non-supplemented pigs at 9 weeks of age. Horn growth and wear were lower for the non-supplemented pigs (P= 0.044 and P < 0.001, respectively), but net horn growth (horn growth minus wear) was not different (P= 0.406). No changes in the histological claw characteristics were observed. Differences in claw quality measurements were found between lateral and medial claw digits and between fore and hind claws. It was concluded that marginal dietary Zn concentration affected various claw quality measurements. Marginal dietary Zn concentrations may not be sufficient to maintain claw quality in pigs.

Factors affecting mechanical nociceptive thresholds in healthy sows.

OBJECTIVE: To describe anatomical and methodological factors influencing mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) and intra-site variability in healthy sows. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized validation. ANIMALS: Eight pregnant, healthy, mixed-parity sows (176-269 kg). METHODS: Repeated MNT measurements were taken: 1) with a hand-held probe and a limb-mounted actuator connected to a digital algometer; 2) at nine landmarks on the limbs and tail; and 3) at 1 and 3 minute intervals. Data were analysed using linear mixed regression models. RESULTS: The MNTs (±SEM) of the limbs were lower with the probe (14.7 ± 1.2 N) than with the actuator (21.3 ± 1.2 N; p < 0.001), in the pelvic versus the thoracic limbs (16.7 ± 1.2 versus 19.2 ± 1.2 N; p < 0.001), and in the lateral versus the dorsal metatarsi and metacarpi (17.6 ± 1.2 versus 18.4 ± 1.2 N; p = 0.002). MNTs were higher in all subsequent measurements compared with the first (p < 0.001) and in the morning compared with the afternoon (p = 0.04). We found no evidence of MNT differences based on interval between consecutive measurements (1 versus 3 minutes). Variability was lower in the thoracic limbs [mean back-transformed log10 coefficient of variation (CV) ± SE = 25.5 ± 1.5% versus 30.6 ± 1.5% in the pelvic limbs; p < 0.001], with the actuator (22.7 ± 1.5% versus 33.4 ± 1.5% with the probe; p < 0.001), and on the left (CV = 26.9 ± 1.5% versus 29.3 ± 1.5% on the right; p = 0.01). Tail data (probe only) were analysed separately: mean MNT (± SE) was 11.7 (±1.8); MNT increased in days 3-6 of testing compared with day 1 (p < 0.001). The mean CV (±SE) was 38.9% (±1.1%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MNTs and intra-site variability in healthy sows were affected by several factors, indicating that this methodology requires considerable attention to detail.

Fluctuation of potential zinc status biomarkers throughout a reproductive cycle of primiparous and multiparous sows.

Fluctuations in Zn metabolism throughout gestation and lactation might affect Zn requirements. However, scientific data on Zn requirements for breeding sows are limited. The objective of the present study was to assess the Zn status of primiparous and multiparous sows using different Zn status biomarkers, to identify periods of critical Zn status throughout the reproductive cycle at different parities. Blood samples were taken after overnight fasting before feeding in the morning from five primiparous and ten multiparous sows at fixed time intervals during gestation (days - 5, 0 (insemination), 21, 42, 63 and 84), around parturition (days 108, 112, 115 (parturition) and 118) and during lactation (days 122, 129 and 143 (weaning)). At parturition, blood samples were collected from two randomly selected piglets per sow before colostrum intake. Plasma was analysed for Zn and Cu contents, whereas serum was analysed for alkaline phosphatase, metallothionein and albumin concentrations. Independently of parity, all biomarkers fluctuated differently during gestation and lactation (P< 0·050). This reflects their different roles in Zn metabolism, and suggests that the choice of a Zn status biomarker necessitates careful consideration. Low average plasma Zn concentration at the end of gestation and throughout lactation seem to be replenished towards weaning.