Physiological response of weaned piglets to two transport durations observed in a Canadian commercial setting.

Observational studies describing the impact of transport duration on weaned piglet welfare are limited. Current Canadian transport regulations are heavily informed by studies involving market hogs. Due to physiological differences between weaned piglets and market hogs, additional data on their response to transport are needed for age-specific evidence-based recommendations. A cohort study was conducted to describe and compare mortality, injury, weight change, hematological or biochemical changes in hydration, muscle injury and stress response observed in weaned piglets undergoing short duration (SD, <3 h), or long duration (LD, >30 h) commercial summertime transport events. Data collection on 440 of 11,434 transported piglets occurred the morning of the day before transport (T0), at arrival (T1) and approximately 3 to 4 d (78 to 93 h) after arrival at the nursery barn (T2). Low mortality occurred over all transport events (0.06%) with no association observed between transport duration and odds of death during transport (P = 0.62). The incidence of lameness between T0 and T1 was low (1.84% of the 435 focal piglets scored) with all lameness cases identified as mild in severity. Lesions on ears and skin were more prevalent than other injury types after transport (T1) and may have been related to mixing aggression associated with weaning rather than transport alone. LD piglets weighed 0.39 kg less than SD piglets at T1 (P < 0.01), but no difference in group weight was observed at T2 (P = 0.17). Hematological and biochemical differences were present between groups at T1. LD piglets had increased hematocrit levels compared with SD piglets (P = 0.01), suggesting increased body water losses. SD piglets showed greater levels of muscle injury compared with LD piglets including elevated aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.01) and creatine kinase (P < 0.01). However, these parameters were within normal reference ranges for piglets of this age group. Indicators of physiological stress response including cortisol and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios were elevated in SD piglets compared with LD piglets (P = 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). The results of this study demonstrate that both short and long transport durations can result in detectable physiological changes in weaned piglets. The overall impact of these durations on piglet welfare should be further explored by analyzing behavioral time budgets during and after transport.

Patterns and durations of journeys by horses transported from the USA to Canada for slaughter.

Concern has been expressed over the welfare of horses transported from the USA for slaughter in Canada. United States Department of Agriculture owner/shipper certificates for the year 2009 were analyzed to provide quantitative information on the patterns and durations of these journeys. In 2009, horses from 16 states in the northern USA were transported to 6 equine slaughter plants in Canada. Thirty-two percent of loads were from auction centers, 33% from feedlots, and 35% from horse collection centers. The median duration of the journey was 19 h. Thirty-six percent of horses were transported for < 6 h, 11% for 6 to 18 h, 13% for 18 to 24 h, 25% for 24 to 36 h, 9% for 36 to 48 h, and apparently 6% > 48 h. Some journeys exceeded those specified in regulations and, based on other research, would put these horses at risk of negative welfare outcomes, such as dehydration, injury, and fatigue.

Trajets et durée des déplacements des chevaux transportés des États-Unis au Canada pour abattage. Des préoccupations ont été exprimées à propos du bien-être des chevaux transportés des États-Unis au Canada aux fins d'abattage. Les certificats de propriétaires/expéditeurs du ministère de l'Agriculture des États-Unis pour l'année 2009 ont été analysés afin de fournir des données quantitatives sur les trajets et la durée de ces déplacements. En 2009, des chevaux provenant de 16 États du nord-est des États-Unis ont été transportés à 6 abattoirs équins au Canada. Trente-deux pour cent des chargements provenaient de centres de ventes aux enchères, 33 % de parcs d'engraissement et 35 % de centres de collecte de chevaux. La durée médiane du déplacement était de 19 h. Trente-six pour cent des chevaux étaient transportés pendant < 6 h, 11 % de 6 h à 18 h, 13 % de 18 h à 24 h, 25 % de 24 h à 36 h, 9 % de 36 h à 48 h et apparemment 6 % > 48 h. Certains déplacements dépassaient les durées précisées dans les règlements et, en se basant sur d'autres recherches, ils exposeraient les chevaux à un risque d'effets néfastes pour le bien-être, comme la déshydratation, les blessures et la fatigue.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).