scholarly journals Non-Invasive Assessment of Physiological Stress in Captive Asian Elephants

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod Kumar ◽  
Muthulingam Pradheeps ◽  
Adiseshu Kokkiligadda ◽  
Rajashekhar Niyogi ◽  
Govindhaswamy Umapathy
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Physiological Stress Response ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
In The Wild

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) populations, both in the wild and in captivity, have been continually declining over the decades. The present study examined the physiological stress response of captive Asian elephants in relation to body condition score and different working conditions. A total of 870 dung samples of 37 captive elephants (24 males and 13 females) from four facilities were collected to examine fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations (fGCM). The elephants in forest camps with exposure to natural habitats had a higher body condition score than those in more confined spaces. Wild born elephants and females (except in one case) had higher concentrations of fGCM than captive born elephants and males, respectively. Elephants engaged in the Dussehra festival had elevated fGCM concentrations than their counterparts at Mysore zoo. We recommend a few management practices for the long-term survival of rapidly declining captive elephant populations.

scholarly journals A Longitudinal Study of Lameness Incidence and Association with Animal-Based Welfare Measures in Dairy Cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Babatunde Sadiq ◽  
Siti Zubaidah Ramanoon ◽  
Wan Mastura Shaik Mossadeq ◽  
Rozaihan Mansor ◽  
Sharifah Salmah Syed-Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Claw Lesions ◽  
Welfare Measures

The objective of this study was to investigate time to lameness event, prevalence of claw lesions, and their associations with animal-based welfare measures (ABWMs) in dairy cows. A total of 120 non-lame lactating cows (n = 30 each from four intensive dairy farms) having no claw lesion were enrolled in the study. The cow-level enrollment criteria included good body condition score (BCS), normal hock condition score, absence of body injuries, and normal claw length. Information on cows’ parity, milk yield, and previous lameness event (PLE) were recorded. The cows were observed twice monthly (every 2 weeks) for locomotion scores (LS), and ABWMs, whereas claw lesions were recorded upon onset of lameness and at the end of the observation period. Cows were considered lame when 2 consecutive LS = 3, or any assessment with score 4. Cox regression models were used to investigate lameness incidence and the association with ABWMs, while association between the latter and claw horn lesions (CHL) prevalence were analyzed using logistic regression models. Twenty-four percent (29/120) of the cows were lame during the study period. Lameness risk was associated with PLE (Hazard ratio; HR = 7.4; 95% CI 2.4-23.0), presence of overgrown claw (HR = 3.7; 95% CI 1.1-12.6) and low BCS pre-lame (HR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.3-16.6). Amongst the cows affected with claw lesions, 68.4% (37/44) were lame and CHL were predominant (75.4%) compared to infectious claw lesions (24.7%). Cows with lower BCS (< 3.0) (OR = 5.7; 95% CI 1.6- 20.4) and those with PLE (OR = 7.2; 95% CI = 2.1-24.7) were more likely to have CHL. Management practices such as maintaining cows’ body condition, improved care for those with history of lameness, and proper claw trimming could assist farmers to reduce lameness incidence in the studied herds.

scholarly journals Managing the nutrition of twin-bearing ewes during pregnancy using Lifetimewool recommendations increases production of twin lambs

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 813 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Hocking Edwards ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
A. N. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
South Australia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Staple Strength

The effect on ewe and lamb production by differential management of single- and twin-bearing Merino ewes during pregnancy and lactation was examined. The hypothesis that the survival and productivity of single- and twin-born progeny is not affected by differential management of single- and twin-bearing ewes was tested. To test this hypothesis, two ewe flocks were monitored on a commercial property in the south-east of South Australia. The body condition score of one flock of ewes was managed according to Lifetimewool recommendations for southern Australian (Lifetimewool flock; n = 464). Lifetimewool recommendations are that body condition score should be 3.0 at mating and then allowed to decline to an average of 2.7, which is maintained until lambing. Twin- and single-bearing ewes were managed as separate mobs after pregnancy scanning to meet their energy requirements. The second flock was managed similarly to the commercial ewe flock and was representative of ewe management practices in the region (normal-practice flock; n = 464). At lambing, the condition score of the Lifetimewool flock was 0.7 condition scores units greater than the normal-practice flock. Ewe clean fleece weight and fibre diameter were greater in the Lifetimewool flock and their lambs had higher survival rates to weaning. Over three shearings, progeny from Lifetimewool ewe flocks produced more clean wool (P < 0.0001) but there was no consistent effect on fibre diameter, staple length or staple strength. Twin-born lambs from ewes managed to Lifetimewool guidelines had a similar liveweight and produced similar quantity and quality of wool to single-born lambs managed to Lifetimewool guidelines, but still suffered higher rates of mortality to weaning. This suggests that it is possible to manage ewes pregnant with twins to ensure that their surviving progeny perform at a level similar to single-born progeny managed under similar targets.

scholarly journals Liver Flukes Egg Infection and Associated Risk Factors in White Fulani Cattle Slaughtered in Wukari, Southern Taraba State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Shinggu ◽  
O. T. Olufemi ◽  
J. A. Nwuku ◽  
E. B. T. Baba-Onoja ◽  
P. D. Iyawa
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Liver Fluke ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Single Infection ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
White Fulani ◽  
Liver Flukes

Fasciola, Fascioloides, and Dicrocoelium cause liver fluke diseases in ruminants and are of zoonotic and economic importance. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of liver fluke egg infection in White Fulani Cattle slaughtered in Wukari Cattle market abattoir in Wukari, Taraba State. A total of 262 gallbladders were collected and their contents were analyzed for the presence of eggs of liver flukes using sedimentation technique. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS version 20 for window and Pearson’s Chi-Square (χ2) was used to evaluate the association between variables. Fasciola and Dicrocoelium eggs were encountered. Only 74 (28.2%) samples were positive for Fasciola egg and 211 (80.5%) for Dicrocoelium. The prevalence of liver fluke infection revealed 25% and 28.6% Fasciola eggs for male and female animals, respectively, while lancet fluke had 83.3% for male and 80.3% for female. Fasciola eggs were recovered in 20.8% of animals aged less 3 years (<3yrs) and 29.9% was recorded in animals 3 years and above (≥ 3yrs) while 81.3% for animals ≥ 3yrs and 77.1% for animals <3yrs were recorded for Dicrocoelium eggs. The body condition score-based prevalence for Fasciola yielded 38.1%, 26.8%, and 14% for poor, average, and good, respectively, while Dicrocoelium yielded 85.7%, 79.3%, and 85.7%. There was a significant difference between the body condition scores for fasciolosis. Only 59% harboured single infection with eggs of Dicrocoelium (P< 0.05) while 6.9% harboured Fasciola eggs. Mixed infection associating Fasciola and Dicrocoelium was observed in 21.4% of the sample cattle. Liver fluke infections: fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis occur among White Fulani cattle in Wukari and these infections are associated with the body condition score of the animals. This greatly affects the cattle production. There is a need to institute adequate control programmes complemented with good well-planned management practices in any production system involving cattle in Wukari.

scholarly journals A comparison of the intake of cows grazing swedes and kale and consequent condition score change.

2012 ◽  
pp. 63-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.R. Thompson ◽  
D.R. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Total Energy ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Score Change ◽  
Industry Standards ◽  
Brassica Crop ◽  
Condition Score

The actual intake requirements of kale and swedes for maintenance and gain are not well defined for pregnant cows in winter. Farmer observations of cows grazing brassicas suggested that the winter feed requirements appeared much greater than those calculated using industry standards. Two balanced groups of dairy cows were grazed under similar management practices on a kale or swede brassica crop for a 5-week period during winter to estimate total energy intake and intake rate. Brassica intake rates did not differ significantly except for the period 5-24 hours after the commencement of grazing, when the swede group cows consumed more crop than the kale group (P=0.042). Body condition score change was higher (P

The effect of dry period length reduction to 28 days on the performance of multiparous dairy cows in the subsequent lactation

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel Pezeshki ◽  
Jalil Mehrzad ◽  
Gholam R Ghorbani ◽  
Bart De Spiegeleer ◽  
Robert J Collier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Period Length ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Condition Score

In a controlled study, the effects of shortened and conventional dry periods (28.2 ± 4.6 vs. 48.8 ± 4 d) on performance of multiparous cow were evaluated. Seventy multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to either a 28- or a 49-d dry period length (DPL). Nine cows were removed from the study and 61 cows were used in the statistical analysis. Cows in the 28-d DPL group were moved to close-up pen and fed only close-up ration during the dry period, whereas those in the 49-d DPL group were given a far-off diet after dry-off until 28 d before expected calving, and then fed the same diet as the cows in the 28-d DPL group. Daily milk yield production was significantly reduced in the 28-d DPL group compared with the 49-d DPL group through 210 d in milk (DIM). Neither milk protein nor milk fat was changed in experimental groups. However, fat yield tended to be greater in the 49 d DPL compared with the 28 d DPL. Cows with 28 d DPL lost less body condition in peripartum and gained more body condition score (BCS) by 150 DIM. No differences were detected in health disorders, reproduction efficiency and birth weights of calves due to shortened dry period. Our data demonstrate that a shortened dry period under employed management practices is a good management tool in attenuating negative energy balance status without adversely affecting total milk production. Key words: Dry period, management, multiparous dairy cow, performance, body condition score

Energieaufnahme und Körpermasseentwicklung von Warmblutfohlen, die beim Absetzen den Betrieb wechseln

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (04) ◽  
pp. 220-224
Author(s):  
J. K. Mack ◽  
H. P. Remler ◽  
E. Senckenberg ◽  
E. Kienzle
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Klinische Relevanz ◽  
Condition Score

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie war, den Energiebedarf von Warmblutfohlen zu überprüfen, die durch einen Betriebswechsel beim Absetzen erhöhtem Stress ausgesetzt sind. Material und Methoden: Neun Hengstfohlen, die als Absetzer von verschiedenen Züchtern gekauft und gemeinsam aufgestallt wurden, nahmen an der Studie vom Absetzen im Alter von etwa 6 Monaten bis zu einem Alter von etwa 1 Jahr teil. Das Absetzen erfolgte im heimischen Betrieb oder nach gemeinsamem Transport von Stute und Fohlen bei Ankunft im neuen Bestand. Die Fohlen erhielten Heulage (später erster Schnitt), Hafer und Fohlenaufzuchtfutter. Um eine individuelle Kraftfutterzuteilung zu ermöglichen, wurden die Fohlen zweimal täglich separat angebunden. Erhoben wurden die Gesamtaufnahme der Heulage aller Fohlen gemeinsam pro Tag, die tägliche individuelle Kraftfutteraufnahme sowie in 4-wöchigen Abständen Körpermasse und Body Condition Score (BCS). Ergebnisse: Die tägliche Energieaufnahme der Fohlen betrug 74 MJ verdauliche Energie (68 MJ umsetzbare Energie) pro Tier. Die Fohlen wurden mit vergleichsweise niedrigem BCS von 4,2 ± 0,4 (Skala von 1 bis 9) und einer durchschnittlichen Körpermasse von 285 ± 30 kg aufgestallt. Sie erreichten am Ende der Studie im Alter von 319 ± 22 Tagen eine Körpermasse von 326 ± 24 kg und einen BCS von 4,2 ± 0,4. Die Energieaufnahme der Fohlen war höher und ihre Gewichtsentwicklung langsamer als in einer parallel laufenden Studie mit Fohlen, die im Gestüt geboren und aufgewachsen und dementsprechend beim Absetzen weniger Stress ausgesetzt waren. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Fohlen mit relativ niedriger Körpermasse und BCS und erheblichem Stress zum Zeitpunkt des Absetzens benötigen deutlich mehr Energie als Fohlen, die beim Absetzen in ihrer gewohnten Umgebung verbleiben und dadurch weniger Stressoren unterliegen.

Fütterung von Hunden und Katzen in Deutschland

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (06) ◽  
pp. 391-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Dillitzer ◽  
C. Sauter-Louis ◽  
E. Kienzle ◽  
N. Becker
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Klinische Relevanz ◽  
Condition Score

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel: Gewinn epidemiologischer Daten zur Fütterung von Hunden und Katzen in Deutschland. Material und Methoden: 865 Hundeund 243 Katzenbesitzer wurden anhand standardisierter Fragebögen zu ihrem Tier (Alter, Geschlecht, Gewicht, Ernährungszustand, Gesundheit), dessen Fütterung inklusive Belohnungen und Zusätzen, den Gründen für eine Futterumstellung und zur eigenen Person (Alter, Geschlecht, Schulbildung, Beruf) befragt. Die Befragungen fanden in Tierarztpraxen, Hundeschulen, Tierheimen, Parkanlagen und via Internet statt. Zudem wurde der Body Condition Score (BCS) der Tiere durch ihre Besitzer sowie die Interviewerin beurteilt. Ergebnisse: Das Durchschnittsalter der Hunde lag bei 4,8 Jahren, das der Katzen bei 6,8 Jahren. Das Gewicht reichte beim Hund von 2,2 bis 95 kg, bei der Katze von 2 bis 11 kg. Rund 52% der Hunde und Katzen waren übergewichtig (BCS 6–9). Zwischen der Beurteilung der Besitzer bzw. der Interviewerin gab es Differenzen. Viele Besitzer unterschätzten den BCS und erkannten vor allem beginnendes Übergewicht (BCS 6–7) nicht. 58% der Hundeund 90% der Katzenbesitzer verwendeten ausschließlich handelsübliche Fertigfutter, 35% bzw. knapp 10% kombinierten diese mit zusätzlichen Futtermitteln. Knapp 8% der Hundeund < 1% der Katzenbesitzer verfütterten selbst zubereitete Rationen. Ältere (> 7 Jahre) und kranke Hunde erhielten häufiger selbst hergestellte Rationen. Ältere Besitzer (≥ 46 Jahre) tendierten vermehrt dazu, das Futter selbst zuzubereiten, während die Schulbildung und die Berufstätigkeit keinen Einfluss auf die Fütterung hatten. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen Art der Fütterung und BCS bestand nicht. Besitzer mit geringerer Schulbildung sowie Hausfrauen und Rentner hatten häufiger übergewichtige Tiere. Futterbelohnungen erhielten 95% der Hunde und 65% der Katzen. Ältere und berufstätige Besitzer gaben prozentual seltener Belohnungen. Schlussfolgerungen: Übergewicht ist das größte ernährungsbedingte Problem. Im Vergleich zu früheren Studien hat sich die Zahl übergewichtiger Tiere erhöht. Klinische Relevanz: Tierbesitzer sollten frühzeitig auf Übergewicht hingewiesen werden, da sie den Beginn der Adipositas häufig nicht wahrnehmen. Die meisten Tierbesitzer verabreichen Belohnungen, was bei Diäten berücksichtigt werden muss.

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