On-farm euthanasia practices and attitudes of commercial meat rabbit producers

2017 ◽  
Vol 181 (11) ◽  
pp. 292-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Walsh ◽  
Aaron Percival ◽  
Brian Tapscott ◽  
Patricia V Turner

Appropriate and timely on-farm euthanasia is the responsibility of the producer, working together with their herd veterinarian. Unfortunately, validated methods for euthanasia of commercial meat rabbits are lacking and there are few educational materials available for producer training. Because euthanasia must be performed in a timely fashion to minimise suffering, it is critical to ensure that methods used are aesthetic, humane and effective. We surveyed Canadian meat rabbit producers for current on-farm euthanasia practices as well as attitudes towards the methods they employed and thoughts on novel euthanasia techniques. Surveys were distributed with a response rate of 26 per cent (n=26). Blunt force trauma was the most common euthanasia method used (54 per cent), followed by assisted manual cervical dislocation (31 per cent). Half of producers admitted to not having a euthanasia method in place for all age groups of rabbits, instead electing to let sick and injured rabbits die on their own. While some producers reported feeling highly skilled and satisfied with their current euthanasia method, 58 per cent reported concerns with their current method and 42 per cent desired alternative methods to be developed. Responses to additional questions on training and awareness of euthanasia resources indicated that veterinarians are not part of on-farm euthanasia planning for meat rabbits.

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rathnayaka M.A.S. Bandara ◽  
Stephanie Torrey ◽  
Patricia V. Turner ◽  
Alex zur Linden ◽  
Anna Bolinder ◽  
...  

The main objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of mechanical cervical dislocation using the Koechner Euthanasia Device Model C (KED) in comparison to manual cervical dislocation in layer chickens. Laying hens and/or roosters in three different age groups (12, 27–29, and 65–70 weeks old) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups: manual cervical dislocation in conscious birds (CD), manual cervical dislocation in anesthetized birds (aCD), or mechanical cervical dislocation by KED in anesthetized birds (aMCD). Anesthetized birds received an intramuscular dose of 0.3 mg/kg medetomidine and 30 mg/kg of ketamine to achieve clinical anesthesia. A comparison of CD vs. aCD responses confirmed that the anesthetic plane abolished or reduced clonic convulsions, nictitating membrane reflex, tonic convulsions, and cloacal relaxation. Time to loss of the pupillary light reflex (~123 s), and time to cardiac arrest (~172 s) were longer (p < 0.001) in the birds in the aMCD group than aCD (~71 and ~137 s, respectively). Radiographs revealed that the majority of the birds killed by manual cervical dislocation (CD + aCD) had dislocations between the skull and atlas (C1) or between cervical vertebrae C1–C2. The KED resulted in a majority of dislocations at C2–C3. Birds killed by manual cervical dislocation presented more subdural and parenchymal hemorrhage in the brain stem compared to birds killed by KED. Radiographs indicated the presence of fractures in a few birds killed by either method (CD + aCD versus aMCD). Compared to manual CD, KED resulted in less brain trauma and a longer latency to brain death, indicating a lower efficacy of KED as an on-farm killing method.


1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.B. Wuest ◽  
D.K. McCool ◽  
B.C. Miller ◽  
R.J. Veseth

AbstractResearch aimed at advancing conservation farming practices is typically performed using traditional scientific approaches, which have been highly successful in increasing agricultural output and efficiency. With the current emphasis on environmental and economic sustainability of agriculture, there is a need for a more integrated approach to applied agricultural research. Participatory research helps to bring scientific methods and the integrated production needs of farmers together to develop practical, effective, and carefully tested farming methods. The strength of participatory research is in the synergism of scientists and farmers working together to design, implement, and evaluate research. The development of new technologies for farming systems large or small, conventional or organic, can be greatly enhanced through more extensive use of participatory research.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 623-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul C. Young

Objective. To determine primary-care pediatricians' management of febrile infants and compare them with published practice guidelines. Design. Case scenarios were sent to 194 primary-care pediatricians in Utah, describing three febrile infants, ages 21 days, 60 days, and 20 months, corresponding to the three age groups: 0 to 28 days; 29 to 90 days, and 91 days to 36 months for which the guidelines suggest different strategies. Results. Ninety-four pediatricians responded (response rate, 48%). Compliance with the guidelines was 39% for the 21 day old, 9.6% for the 60 day old, and 75% for the 20 month old. No respondent followed the guidelines for all three infants. Performance of tests to determine if an infant was low risk varied from 3%, for a stool white cell examination in a febrile 2 month old with diarrhea, to 75% for a complete blood count in a 20 month old with a temperature of 40°C. Compliance did not differ between private and academic practitioners. Those in practice less than 5 years (n = 22) were more likely than those with more experience to follow the guidelines for the 21 day old but not the other two infants. Conclusion. Primary-care pediatricians in Utah manage febrile infants with fewer laboratory tests and less hospitalization than recent practice guidelines developed by an expert panel of academic specialists suggest.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipe Antonio Dalla Costa ◽  
Troy J Gibson ◽  
Steffan Edward Octávio Oliveira ◽  
Neville George Gregory ◽  
Arlei Coldebella ◽  
...  

Abstract Twenty-seven neonate piglets (range from 0.35 to 1.17 kg) were evaluated for the effectiveness of blunt force trauma as a method of on-farm cull. Brainstem function, brain injury, and hemorrhage scores (increasing from 0 to 3) were assessed after striking the head against a concrete floor. Electroencephalograms (EEG) from a subset of 15 piglets were recorded before and after blunt force trauma for electrophysiological assessments. Blunt force trauma was performed by a single experienced farmer in a commercial farm by holding the piglet by its both hind legs and striking the head against the concrete floor. All piglets remained recumbent and did not show brainstem reflexes. Only one piglet did not presented tonic/clonic physical activity. The mean time to the onset of persistent isoelectric EEG was 64.3 ± 7.3 s (range 18 to 115). Total power, theta, alpha, and beta power decreased to approximately 45%, 30%, 20%, and 15% from pretreatment power, respectively, by 15-s post-impact. There were no periods of normal-like EEG after the culling. Bruises in the neck and shoulder were found in 67% and 70% of piglets, respectively. All piglets presented skull fractures with 20% having the nasal bone(s) fractured. Brain damage was found in all piglets, mainly in the frontal lobe(s). The occipital lobe(s) presented the greatest frequency of severe damage. The analysis of the radiographs also found a high frequency of fractures in this region. Hemorrhage was most frequent in the frontal, parietal, occipital lobes, and midbrain. When performed correctly with the appropriate weight class, blunt force trauma can be used as an effective method for the on-farm killing of nursing piglets resulting in death. However, this method should not be promoted over more reliable and repeatable cull methods such as captive bolt gun. As with blunt force trauma, there is a significant potential for animal welfare harm associated with inappropriate practice, lack of accuracy, issues with repeatability, and operator fatigue.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Lilja ◽  
A Seppänen ◽  
H Kuusio

Abstract Background Previous population surveys among people with foreign background (PFB) in Finland have had successful response rates (62%-66%) when using mainly face-to-face interviews. A cross-sectional population survey (FinMONIK) explored more cost-efficient ways to collect the data on PFB. Methods The data collection was conducted in Finland between May 2018 and January 2019. The random sample consisted of 12 877 (after removing over-coverage) 18-64-year-olds stratified by region. First, a letter containing a link to the online survey with 18 different language options was sent to the participants. After two reminders, the questionnaire was sent twice on paper to the non-respondents. Finally, supplementary phone interviews were carried out by multi-lingual interviewers. All the participants were able to enter in a draw to win gift cards. Results The response rate (RR) for the online survey was 34%. RR was highest for those who had lived in Finland 5 years or less (43%) and lowest among the divorced (23%) and Estonians (27%). The paper questionnaire was mostly preferred by older age groups, increasing the RR of 40-64 year-olds from 31% to 48%. Telephone interviews increased the RR by five percent points, thus making the final RR for the survey 53%. Persons born in the EU and North-America responded the most frequently (58%) whereas RR was lowest amongst the Sub-Saharan African origin migrants (47%). RR was particularly low (42%) for those who had moved to Finland at ages 0-6. Conclusions In surveys conducted amongst PFB, relatively good response rates can be obtained by using alternate methods for gathering data instead of costly and time-consuming face-to-face interview. Age and marital status seemed to affect the preference of survey format. The overall RR varied by country of origin. Key messages A good response rate can be obtained without face-to-face interviews in migrant population surveys. Migrant population surveys can be conducted more efficiently by combining a variety of methods.


2007 ◽  
Vol os14 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahua Chatterjee ◽  
Ian Hilton

Objective To assess the knowledge that professional rugby players have with regard to the benefits of wearing an oral mouth-guard and the importance that they give to wearing the appliance during play, then to compare these views with those of the parents of children who are beginning to play the sport. Design Questionnaires and covering letters were sent to the parents of children who played rugby at Malton & Norton Rugby Union Football Club (RUFC), which has teams for all age groups from under 7–8 years to adult. Similar questionnaires were sent to the first team squad of Leeds Tykes, a Zurich Premiership rugby union club. The questionnaires asked a series of questions on the use of mouthguards and knowledge of their importance in the prevention of injuries. Results The overall response rate was 76%. Seventy-four of the 100 questionnaires sent to the parents and 25 of the 30 sent to the professional players were completed and returned. Both the professional rugby players and parents felt that mouthguards were essential when playing rugby. The professionals seemed to have a much greater understanding of the benefits that mouth-guards provided. Although parents agreed that children should begin to wear mouthguards as soon as possible, very few actually did. The barriers to providing mouth protection were mainly financial combined with the difficulties of taking the child to the dentist. Conclusions If the results from this small study are representative of the current situation, with regard to the wearing of mouth-guards by professional players and children, it appears that there is a need for all those involved to ensure that rugby-playing children wear mouthguards. Rugby clubs could consider the appointment of honorary dental advisers and devise systems to ensure that cost is not a factor in preventing children from wearing mouthguards.


2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pejman Azarmina ◽  
Jill Lewis

In April 2006, a nurse-led telephone-based service was launched in Birmingham to improve the health outcomes of up to 2000 patients with high-risk, long-term conditions. Patients received regular telephone calls and educational materials selected according to their conditions. In August 2006, 506 questionnaires with 30 five-point Likert-type questions were sent to patients and 128 were returned within four weeks (25% response rate). The results showed that 96% of the respondents strongly agreed or agreed that they were satisfied with the quality of service being provided by the care managers. The educational material (care books) was found to be informative, easy to read and easy to understand. The qualitative feedback indicated that patients perceived the service to be useful, accessible and helped them to be more efficient in taking care of themselves. More than 40% of the patients agreed that the service reduced their need to go to hospital. Using a telephone-based disease management service seems to be an acceptable option for patients with long-term conditions in the UK.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Cheraghi ◽  
Parisa Amiri ◽  
Golnaz Vahedi-Notash ◽  
Sara Jalali-Farahani ◽  
Davood Khalili ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-participation in cohort studies, if associated with both the exposure and occurrence of the event, can introduce bias in the estimates of interest. This study aims to identify factors associated with follow-up participation in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, a large-scale community-based prospective study in West Asia. Methods A sample of 10,368 adults from TLGS was included in the analysis. All analyses were split according to sex and age groups (20–39, 40–59, and 60 years). The associations between socio-demographic, health, and lifestyle factors with response rate were identified using the Generalized Estimating Equations model. Results Over the median of 15.7 years of follow up the response rate was 64.5%. The highest response rate was observed in those aged 40–59 years for both sexes. Current smokers had lower odds of response in both sexes for all age groups, ranging from 0.51 to 0.74, p < 0.01. In young adults, being single (OR = 0.79, OR = 0.57, p ≤ 0.01, respectively for men and women) and unemployed (OR = 0.73, OR = 0.76, p ≤ 0.01, respectively for men and women) in both sexes, high physical activity in men (OR = 0.77, p < 0.01), high education (OR = 0.75, p = 0.02) and obesity (OR = 0.85, p = 0.05) in women were associated with lower response rate. For the middle-aged group, diabetes in men (OR = 0.77, p = 0.05) and hypertension (OR = 0.84, p = 0.05), and having a history of cancer (OR = 0.43, p = 0.03) in women were factors associated with lower response rates. Finally, interventions for both sexes (OR = 0.75, OR = 0.77, p ≤ 0.05, respectively for men and women) and being divorced/widow in women (OR = 0.77, p = 0.05) were the factors associated with the lower response rate in the elderly. Conclusions Long-term participation was influenced by socio-demographic, health, and lifestyle factors in different sex- and age-specific patterns in TLGS. Recruitment strategies targeting these factors may improve participant follow-up in longitudinal studies.


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