Subject: Health /Diseases

Welfare assessment of European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) reared in captivity for their subsequent release

Katarina Nenadović, Marijana Vučinić, Ljiljana Janković, Vladimir Drašković, Radislava Teodorović, Milutin Đorđević

Published in 2024

Study of two captive systems for European brown hares bred in Serbia for release and hunting. The study revealed welfare problems such as stereotype behaviors, injuries and poor body condition. These results underline the negative impact of captive breeding on the welfare of hares in Serbia.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Population management, Welfare indicators, Housing, Behavioural disorders

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Determination of Equine Behaviour in Subjectively Non-Lame Ridden Sports Horses and Comparison with Lame Sports Horses Evaluated at Competitions

Sue Dyson, Danica Pollard

Published in 2024

Scientific study using the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), developed to assess musculoskeletal pain in competition horses. The study shows that horses participating in lower-level events show higher RHpE scores, manifesting more signs of pain, compared to those at higher levels. Recognizing these behaviors can improve horse welfare and rider safety.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Working animals, Pain, Animal mediation, Human-animal relationships, Behavioural disorders

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Effects of meloxicam on the welfare of Holstein calves from 6 weeks to 6 months old undergoing amputation dehorning

Jiancheng Qi, Jing Fang, Fangyuan Huang, Zhiqiang Li, Maqsood Ahmed Kumbhar, Hongrui Guo, Zhihua Ren, Yi Geng, Junliang Deng, Zhicai Zuo

Published in 2024

Study evaluating the efficacy of the combination of meloxicam and lidocaine in reducing the adverse effects of dehorning in calves. Results showed that this combination significantly attenuated physiological and inflammatory responses to the procedure, compared with the use of lidocaine alone.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Anxiety, Pain, Mutilation, Fear, Behavioural disorders

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Landscape review about the decision to euthanize a compromised pig

Stoffregen, J., Winkelmann, T., Schneider, B., K. Gerdes, M. Miller, J. Reinmold, C. Kleinsorgen, K. H. Toelle, L. Kreienbrock, E. grosse Beilage

Published in 2024

Synthesis of the results of articles examining factors that may influence a decision to euthanize a compromised pig on farm. The role of animal welfare as a justification and the training of those working with animals in making decisions on euthanasia emerge as the key factors.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Pain, Education, Euthanasia, End of life, Behavioural disorders, Aging

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Effects of different rooting materials on behaviour and welfare of finishing pigs

Ellen Marie Rosvold, Marko Ocepek, Inger Lise Andersen

Published in 2024

Scientific article comparing the effects of different foraging materials on pig behavior and welfare. The results suggest that straw and hay are highly valued by pigs compared with pellets, peat and sawdust, and that weekly rotation of materials provides the greatest stimulation. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Aggression, Aggressiveness, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Socialization, Behavioural disorders

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Evaluating a crowding intensity scale and welfare indicators for Atlantic salmon in sea cages

Lars Helge Stien, Jonatan Nilsson, Chris Noble, David Izquierdo-Gomez, Elisabeth Ytteborg, Gerrit Timmerhaus, Angelico Madaro

Published in 2024

Scientific article testing the feasibility of a crowding assessment grid for salmon raised in sea cages. Three levels of crowding intensity were selected to assess their impacts on salmon welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Pain, Housing, Restraint equipment, Stress, Transport, Welfare indicators

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A Review of the Effects of Stress on Dairy Cattle Behaviour

Viktor Jurkovich, Péter Hejel, Levente Kovács

Published in 2024

Scientific review article describing how stress factors (pain, illness, discomfort, etc.) modify the behavior of dairy cows, influencing their feeding habits, social interactions and general welfare. The study explores the effectiveness of the various coping mechanisms used by cows to alleviate stress (physiological adaptations and behavioral responses).

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Pain, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Restraint equipment, Resilience, Robustness, Stress, Behavioural disorders

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Evaluating Potential Indicators of Welfare for Zoo Birds during an Avian Influenza Enforced Housing Order

Thomas Collard, Paul Rose

Published in 2024

Article reporting on the impact of forced confinement due to avian influenza on the behavior of Chilean flamingos in a UK zoo. Confinement decreased flamingo activity and abnormal, reoriented foraging actions were recorded. Weather also influenced plumage condition.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal Categories:Birds (excluding poultry)

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Population management, Welfare indicators, Housing, Behavioural disorders

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Evaluation of candidate data-based welfare indicators for calves in Switzerland

Sibylle Zwygart, Barbara Lutz, Beat Thomann, Dimitri Stucki, Mireille Meylan, Jens Becker

Published in 2024

Article showing that the four principles of Welfare Quality that indicate good animal welfare, namely "good feed", "good housing", "good health" and "appropriate behavior", are not reflected in routinely available data on veal calf farms in Switzerland, even though data for health status assessment is available. If animal welfare is to be inferred from routine data, there is a need to adapt data collection strategies and animal identification methods.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Carcass quality, Livestock farming system, Behavioural disorders, Welfare indicators

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Animal Welfare Guidelines for International Development Organisations in the Global South

aul Ssuna, Andrew Crump, Karin Siegmund

Published in 2024

eScientific good practice review to improve consideration of animal welfare in development projects in developing countries. Good practices extend to the governance structures of development organizations, staff training and standard operating procedures relating to water, feed, housing, social isolation, enrichment, drainage and waste disposal, disease, invasive procedures, transport, slaughter, breed selection, record keeping, and monitoring and evaluation of results.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines, Exotic pets

Keywords:Societal issues, Population management, One Welfare, Human-animal relationships

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