scholarly journals Animal-Based Measurements to Assess the Welfare of Dairy Cull Cows during Pre-Slaughter

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1802
Author(s):  
Marlyn H. Romero ◽  
Magali Rodríguez-Palomares ◽  
Jorge Alberto Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Health Production ◽  
Lot Size ◽  
Physiological Variables ◽  
Cull Cows ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Interaction Stress

Culling is the departure of cows from the herd as a result of sale, slaughter, health, national regulations, salvage, or death. Cull cows are removed from farms with poor health, production, behavior, or other problems, and during pre-slaughter they are sometimes kept without food and water, which compromises their well-being. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the welfare state of culled dairy cows during pre-slaughter using some animal-based measurements and to identify possible associations between them. Data were recorded for 62 different dairy production farms referring to 137 cull cows (n = 60 Holstein and n = 77 Normandy crosses) slaughtered in an abattoir in Colombia (South America). In this study, we evaluated and recorded land transport conditions, the health of animals on arrival to the abattoir, human–animal interaction, stress physiological variables and the association of these variables with characteristic bruises on the carcass, the lairage time, the presence of diseases, and the stage of pregnancy. In total, 98.5% of the cows were very thin, 35.7% were pregnant, and 84.7% had bruising on the carcass. In total, 74.5% had clinical conditions; these included skin lesions (32.4%), mastitis (27.5%), lameness (21.6%), vulvar secretions (8.8%), diarrhea (6.8%), and eye carcinoma (2.9%). The total number of cull cows with bruises during pre-slaughter was associated with lot size, transport time, presence of pregnancy, body score condition, and creatine kinase levels. The results suggest that the cows were not fit for transport because their health was severely affected before they left the farms. The animal-based indicators used in this study are useful for evaluating the welfare of cull dairy cows at abattoirs.

scholarly journals Intensity of Oestrus Signalling Is the Most Relevant Indicator for Animal Well-Being in High-Producing Dairy Cows

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuel Garcia ◽  
Jan Hultgren ◽  
Pontus Fällman ◽  
Johanna Geust ◽  
Bo Algers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Calving Rate ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
Rectal Palpation ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Complementary Value

Full signalling of oestrous behaviour is vital for proper timing of AI and good reproductive performance, currently jeopardized by shorter observations of oestrus behaviour. Alternative indicators including progesterone (P4) recordings on-farm are tested. Oestrous intensity of 37 heifers (H) and 30 1st-parity dairy cows (C1) either Swedish Red (32) or Swedish Holstein (35) with high genetic potential for milk production, was studied in relation to AI. P4-levels in blood or milk were monitored on-farm at 0, 7, and 20 d post-AI with a portable ELISA reader (eProCheck800). Avoidance distance and body condition were scored at day 7, and pregnancy diagnosed by P4(day 20) and trans-rectal palpation (day 50). More heifers (46%) than C1-cows (10%) showed standing oestrus (strongest intensity,P<0.05), leading to higher pregnancy rate at d50 (72% versus 37% for C1,P<0.01) and calving rate (H: 64%, C1: 33%,P<0.05). Avoidance distances were short (<1 m), reflecting good human-animal interaction. Visually-recorded standing oestrus yielded 4.8 fold higher odds of pregnancy, respectively 4.6-fold higher odds of calving. On-farm P4-recordings had complementary value yet less accuracy. Intensity of oestrus signalling relates to animal well-being, reflected in pregnancy-to-term being a good indicator for optimal welfare in high-producing dairy cattle.

scholarly journals Virtual Body Ownership Illusions for Mental Health: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Marta Matamala-Gomez ◽  
Antonella Maselli ◽  
Clelia Malighetti ◽  
Olivia Realdon ◽  
Fabrizia Mantovani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Body Ownership ◽  
Surrounding Environment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Virtual Body

Over the last 20 years, virtual reality (VR) has been widely used to promote mental health in populations presenting different clinical conditions. Mental health does not refer only to the absence of psychiatric disorders but to the absence of a wide range of clinical conditions that influence people’s general and social well-being such as chronic pain, neurological disorders that lead to motor o perceptual impairments, psychological disorders that alter behaviour and social cognition, or physical conditions like eating disorders or present in amputees. It is known that an accurate perception of oneself and of the surrounding environment are both key elements to enjoy mental health and well-being, and that both can be distorted in patients suffering from the clinical conditions mentioned above. In the past few years, multiple studies have shown the effectiveness of VR to modulate such perceptual distortions of oneself and of the surrounding environment through virtual body ownership illusions. This narrative review aims to review clinical studies that have explored the manipulation of embodied virtual bodies in VR for improving mental health, and to discuss the current state of the art and the challenges for future research in the context of clinical care.

scholarly journals Animals in our Lives: An Interactive Well-Being Perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 027614672098481
Author(s):  
Nancy V. Wünderlich ◽  
Jill Mosteller ◽  
Michael B. Beverland ◽  
Hilary Downey ◽  
Karen Kraus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Societal Challenges ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
Public Consumption ◽  
Marketing Systems ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Human Animal Interaction ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
Mental Well Being

Humans have long interacted with animals. Recently, market-based responses to societal challenges, including loneliness and mental well-being include the use of animals. Considerable research concerning consumer–animal relationships has also examined the benefits (micro, meso, and macro) of human-animal interaction and companionship. However, much of this research is fragmented and lacks a broader organizing framework. It also suffers from an anthropomorphic bias, whereby the interests of animals are excluded. To address this, we provide a macromarketing perspective on consumer–animal relations and explore the interdependencies of consumer–animal relationships on consumer, animal, and community well-being. We introduce and apply the Interactive Well-Being framework to four contexts –ranging from private to public consumption spaces– that highlight the interdependencies and systems involved in consumer–animal relationships: (1) co-habitation with animals, (2) emotional support animals, (3) working with animals, and (4) animals in commercial service contexts. We discuss the implications of our framework for the resilience of marketing systems and how the framework aligns with alternative economy development.

scholarly journals Associations between Dairy Herds’ Qualitative Behavior and Aspects of Herd Health, Stockperson and Farm Factors—A Cross-Sectional Exploration

Animals ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Asja Ebinghaus ◽  
Katharina Matull ◽  
Ute Knierim ◽  
Silvia Ivemeyer
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Qualitative Behavior ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Human Animal

The affective state is an integrated aspect of farm animal welfare, which is understood as the animals’ perception of their living environment and of their internal biological functioning. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore animal-internal and external factors potentially influencing dairy cows’ affective state. For this purpose, qualitative behavior assessments (QBA) describing the animals’ body language were applied at herd level on 25 dairy farms. By means of principal component analysis (PCA), scores of PC1 (QBAscores) were determined for further analyses. From monthly milk recordings (MR) one year retrospectively, prevalences of udder and metabolic health impairments were calculated. Factors of housing, management, and human-animal contact were recorded via interviews and observations. A multivariable regression was calculated following a univariable preselection of factors. No associations were found between MR indicators and QBAscores. However, more positive QBAscores were associated with bedded cubicles or straw yards compared to raised cubicles, increased voluntary stockperson contact with the cows, and fixation of cows during main feeding times, the latter contributing to the explanatory model, but not being significant. These results underline the importance of lying comfort, positive human-animal relationship and reduction of competition during feeding for the well-being of dairy cows.

scholarly journals Neutrophil phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 894-903
Author(s):  
Marina Žekić-Stošić ◽  
Zdenko Kanački ◽  
Dragica Stojanović ◽  
Dejan Bugarski ◽  
Miodrag Lazarević ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Respiratory Burst ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Burst Activity ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Health Production ◽  
Respiratory Burst Activity ◽  
Entire Study

Introduction: Hormonal and metabolic changes, as well as energy imbalance, can affect health, production and reproductive performance of dairy cows. In the present study, we evaluated phagocytosis and respiratory burst neutrophil activity during the transition period and early lactation and compared it with biochemical and hematological parameters in dairy cows. Methodology: Simmental cows (n = 21) were enrolled in the study. Whole blood samples were collected weekly from 3 weeks pre- calving until 6 weeks post calving. Basic metabolic and blood parameters were assessed by routine laboratory analyses, while neutrophil functions were analyzed by commercial test kits. Results: Optimal neutrophil response was observed pre and post calving. The highest value was recorded in the 6th week after calving (89.54 ± 7.61%) and being significantly higher (p < 0.01) as compared to values recorded at two and one week before and one week after calving. The percentage of activated neutrophils was high during the entire study period: from 70.80 ± 5.22% at the beginning of the study to 89.54 ± 7.61% at the end of the study. During the study period, production of Reactive Oxidative Species by neutrophils was positively correlated with β-hydroxybutyrat and non-esterified fatty acids values (0.454** and 0.423**, respectively) and calcium levels (0.164* and 0.212**, respectively). Conclusions: The most prominent changes in all parameters had no influence on phagocytic and respiratory burst activity of neutrophils. Neutrophil function is preserved at the optimal level during the transition period and early lactation in Simmental cows.

Escherichia coli O157 in Cull Dairy Cows on Farm and at Slaughter

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 1386-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
DANIEL H. RICE ◽  
ERIC D. EBEL ◽  
DALE D. HANCOCK ◽  
THOMAS E. BESSER ◽  
DONALD E. HERRIOTT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cull Cows ◽  
On Farm

Cull dairy cattle both on the farm and at slaughter from herds in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington were surveyed for Escherichia coli O157 by culturing fecal swab samples. A total of 205 cull cows from 19 dairy herds were sampled on the farm of origin; 7 (3.4%) tested positive for E. coli O157. A total of 103 cull cows from 15 dairy herds were sampled at slaughter; 4 (3.9%) were positive for E. coli O157. Eighty-nine cull cows were sampled both at the farm and at slaughter; 2 (2.2%) were positive in both locations, 3 (3.3%) only on the farm, and 2 (2.2%) only at the slaughter plant. Seven (7.9%) of the 89 cull cows tracked from farm to slaughter were positive in at least one location. This suggests a higher prevalence of E. coli O157 in cull dairy cattle than previously has been reported to occur in other ages and classes of cattle.

scholarly journals PSXI-1 Effects of mineral supplementation during summer on physiological variables and milk production in Holstein dairy cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 389-389
Author(s):  
Andrea Dahnae del Rio-Aviles ◽  
Abelardo Correa-Calderon ◽  
Leonel Avendaño-Reyes ◽  
Milton G Thomas ◽  
R Mark Enns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Physiological Variables ◽  
Northwest Mexico ◽  
Mineral Supplementation

Abstract Summer season in northwest Mexico is characterized by hot-humid weather conditions that lead to heat stress and affect physiological and productive performance of lactating Holstein cows. Mineral supplementation has been proposed as strategy to alleviate negative effects of heat stress in dairy cattle. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an injectable mineral supplement on physiological variables and milk production in Holstein cows managed during summer. Sixteen cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: Mineral-treated (TRT; n = 8) or control (CON; n = 8). The TRT group received 3 injections of Fosfosan® (10 ml, i.m., Virbac, Uruguay), on days 0, 7 and 17, considering summer onset as day 0 (June 21st), whereas group CON was untreated. Physiological variables such as respiratory rate (RR), vaginal temperature (VT) and skin-surface temperature (SST), were registered twice a week (0500-1700 h) during 6 weeks. Ambient temperature and humidity were collected to calculate the daily temperature and humidity index (THI). Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures, which included fixed effects of treatment, time and treatment*time, and sire as random effect. According to the THI, Holstein cows were exposed to heat stress during the experiment (&gt;72 units). Cows in the TRT group showed higher (P &lt; 0.05) milk production than CON cows (17.93±0.47 vs 17.02±0.51 kg/day) and lower (P &lt; 0.01) VT (39.14±0.11 vs 39.46±0.15 °C). Relative to CON cows, treated cows also had lower RR (63.16±0.65 vs 64.47±0.76 breaths/min) and lower SST (33.75±0.15 vs 34.02±0.16 °C). All physiological variables showed a significant effect of time (P &lt; 0.01). In conclusion, mineral supplementation during summer appears to improve physiological and productive performance in heat-stressed milking dairy cows; therefore, we suggest to consider this management as strategy to reduce negative effects of summer and heat stress on the dairy industry in northwest Mexico.

Odontogenic Infections with Cutaneous Involvement in Children: a Case Series

Dental Update ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-148
Author(s):  
Joana Monteiro ◽  
Adèle Johnson ◽  
Pathanjali Kandiah ◽  
Prabhleen Anand ◽  
Stephen Fayle
Keyword(s):  
Case Series ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Diagnostic Dilemma ◽  
Odontogenic Infections ◽  
Cutaneous Involvement ◽  
Odontogenic Origin ◽  
Oral Symptoms ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Dental Professionals

Cutaneous involvement of dental sepsis is a rare occurrence in children. It often presents as a diagnostic dilemma, especially in the absence of oral symptoms, with initial presentation to non-dental professionals. This article discusses three cases of children presenting with cutaneous involvement of odontogenic origin to two paediatric dentistry departments in the UK. All cases had delayed presentations and were initially submitted to ineffective treatment, with significant impact on the children’s well-being. Final management included antibiotic therapy, drainage and extraction of the septic tooth. These three cases highlight the importance of considering a dental aetiology for localized inflammatory and purulent skin lesions of the mandible. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment are determinant for early resolution and avoidance of systemic or psychological complications. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article discusses diagnosis and management of three different presentations of odontogenic sepsis with cutaneous involvement in children.

Hormonal measurements in late pregnancy and parturition in dairy cows—possible tools to monitor foetal well being

2002 ◽  
Vol 72 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 153-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Kornmatitsuk ◽  
M.C Veronesi ◽  
A Madej ◽  
E Dahl ◽  
E Ropstad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Well Being

Role of niacin supplementation in dairy cattle: A review

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Panda ◽  
N. Panda ◽  
K. K. Panigrahy ◽  
S. K. Gupta ◽  
S. P. Mishra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Health Production ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Vitamin B3 ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Dairy Animals ◽  
Increase Milk Production

Niacin (Vitamin B3) is significantly important for the metabolism of animals and human beings due to its incorporation into the coenzymes NAD and NADP. For dairy cows, the microbial synthesis of niacin in the rumen is an important source besides its availability from feed and endogenous formation. This vitamin is involved in various energy-yielding pathways and for synthesis of amino acid and fatty acid; for which it is important for milk production. Supplementation of niacin has beneficial effects on growth of cattle. The production performance of dairy cows fed with niacin at 6g/day may not be satisfactory, but supplementation of 12g of niacin per head per day can increase milk production by about 1lb. An optimistic return on asset is possible if the supplementation is limited to high producing early lactation cows. Supplementing the dairy animals with a dose of 6-12g of niacin will not only protect them from various metabolic diseases but will also help them defend from severe heat stress; ultimately leading to augmentation of their health, production potential and economy.

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