Electrocution as an alternative euthanasia method to blunt force trauma to the head followed by exsanguination for non-viable piglets.

BACKGROUND: On farms, the currently approved and most widely practised method of euthanising non-viable piglets is blunt force trauma to the head followed by exsanguination. However, the use of this method is criticised due to public perceptions and aversion to the methodology by caretakers. Therefore, electrocution after electrical stunning was examined as an alternative approach in 80 hybrid piglets. Initially, electrocution was simulated with finite element analysis using a computer piglet-model, where current density in the heart was visualised and size and position of the electrodes were defined. The following step investigated electrical parameters for electrocution in anaesthetised piglets; first, with a constant voltage power source and then with a constant current power source. The electrical stunning was examined using the constant current supply. Finally, the results of electrical stunning and electrocution were verified in 25 healthy piglets with a body weight between 1 and 2 kg. Unconsciousness was proven by testing palpebral, corneal and nociceptive reflexes. Time of death was confirmed by electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) records. RESULTS: Stunning succeeded with the preset of 1.3 A and 50 Hz, placing the electrodes on both sides of the head between the eyes and ears using different timespans between 8 and 20 s. Prolonged electrical flow resulted in reduced paddling movements after the epileptic seizure, and allowed undisturbed reflex tests and installation of electrodes for EEG and ECG recording during electrocution. Using 0.75 A and 400 Hz, pin-shaped electrodes were first positioned on both sides of the chest for 5 s, followed by a break of 20-30 s and a second current flow, whereby the electrodes were placed above the withers and the sternum for 5 s. Cardiac arrest and an isoelectric EEG were induced within 3 min after the onset of the electrical flow through the chest. The most obvious indicator of effective stunning and electrocution was termination of rhythmic breathing. Piglets with cardiac arrest showed only single gasps lasting up to 3 min after electrocution. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated stunning and electrocution protocol might ease concerns about timely piglet euthanasia. However, this should be verified in non-viable piglets to exclude influencing factors like dehydration and diseases.

Abate halal com e sem insensibilização em ovinos: implicações sobre o bem-estar animal e a eficiência da sangria / [Halal slaughter with and without stunning in sheep: implications on animal welfare and bleeding efficiency]

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as implicações sobre o bem-estar animal e a eficiência da sangria no abate halal com e sem insensibilização em ovinos. Foram avaliados 102 ovinos, em abate comercial, separados randomicamente pelo peso em dois grupos: com insensibilização (CI) e sem insensibilização (SI). Verificou-se que os animais sem insensibilização apresentaram sinais de endireitamento e vocalização após 20 segundos da degola. Houve diferença significativa para hemácias (P<0,01), hemoglobina (P<0,01), leucócitos totais (P<0,001), bem como para os biomarcadores de estresse, como CK (P<0,01) e lactato (P<0,001). Apesar de não apresentarem diferença estatística significativa, o LDH e o cortisol ficaram acima dos valores basais em ambos os grupos. Não foram observadas alterações séricas para glicose e AST. Houve diferença estatística significativa para eficiência da sangria (P<0,01). Os resultados demonstraram que houve estresse no abate halal com e sem insensibilização e melhor eficiência da sangria em animais não insensibilizados.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the implications on animal welfare and the sangria efficiency in halal slaugther with and without stunning in sheep. 102 sheep were appraised in a commercial slaugthter, divided randomly for the weight in two groups: with stunning (CI) and without stunning (SI). It was verified that the animals without stunning presented straighten signs and vocalization after 20 seconds of decapitation. There was significant difference for erythrocytes (P<0.05), hemoglobin (P<0.01), leucocytes (P<0.01), stress of biomarkers CK (P<0.01) and lactate (P<0.01). Alterations in serum were not observed for glucose and AST. There was significant statistical difference for bleeding efficiency (P<0.01). The results demonstrated that there was stress in the halal slaugther with and without stunning and better bleeding efficiency in animals with traditional religious slaughter without stunning.(AU)

Clinical Update: Concepts of Prehospital Traumatic Hemorrhage Control in the Operational K9.

Major trauma often involves varying degrees of hemorrhage. Left unattended, any amount of trauma-induced hemorrhage may rapidly become life threatening. Similar to humans, Operational canines (OpK9s) can suffer penetrating trauma and blunt trauma that lead to compressible and noncompressible hemorrhage. Preserving organ function and saving the life of a massively bleeding OpK9 require the implementation of immediate and effective hemostatic measures. Effective hemorrhage control interventions for the exsanguinating OpK9 are similar to those for humans: direct pressure, wound packing, hemostatic agents and devices, pressure bandage, and, possibly, tourniquet application. Although tourniquet application is a life-saving intervention in humans experiencing extremity hemorrhage, it is not considered a necessary, immediate-action life-saving intervention for canines with extremity injuries. This article provides a brief description of the basic methods for identifying life-threatening hemorrhage and achieving immediate hemostasis in the bleeding OpK9 during the prehospital period.

Evaluation of different captive bolt lengths and breed influence upon post-stun hind limb and forelimb activity in fed cattle at a commercial slaughter facility.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of captive bolt length and breed type on post-stun leg activity in cattle. A total of 2850 Holstein (HOL) and non-Holstein British/Continental bred (NHOL) steers and heifers were observed post-stunning at a large commercial slaughter facility. A pneumatically powered penetrating captive bolt stunner was used with three different bolt lengths: CON, 15.24 cm; MED, 16.51 cm; and LON, 17.78 cm. Hind limb kicking, forelimb activity, take away belt stops, carcass swing and number of knife sticks during exsanguination were recorded for each animal from video recording. Hind limb and forelimb kicks observed ranged from 0 to 25 and 0 to 8, respectively. Analysis of post-stun hind limb and forelimb activity indicated that increasing pneumatically powered penetrating captive bolt length does not decrease post-stun leg activity. There was a higher percentage of cattle experiencing take away belt stops and carcass swing in HOL as compared with NHOL.

Complications of intravenous catheterization in horses.

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous catheterization is a necessity for continuous administration of intravenous fluids and for intermittent intravenous access to avoid discomfort and potential complications of repeated needle insertions into the vein. Intravenous catheterization is commonly performed and well tolerated in horses, but catheter associated complications have been reported. The most commonly reported complication is thrombophlebitis, but others such as venous air embolism, exsanguination and catheter fragmentation may also occur. This article aims to review clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy, risk factors and prevention of common catheter associated complications.

INTRODUCTION: Le cathétérisme veineux est une nécessité pour l'administration continue de fluides par voie intraveineuse et pour garantir un accès veineux intermittent afin d'éviter l'inconfort et les complications potentielles liées à la pénétration répétée d'une aiguille dans la veine. Le cathétérisme veineux est usuellement pratiqué chez le cheval et il est bien toléré mais des complications associées sont rapportées. La plus commune d'entre elle est la thrombophlébite mais d'autre, telles l'embolie gazeuse, l'exsanguination ou la fragmentation du cathéter peuvent aussi survenir. Cet article vise à résumer les signes cliniques, la pathogénèse, le diagnostic, le traitement les facteurs de risque et la prévention des complications communément associées avec le cathétérisme.