Subject: Health /Diseases

The Effects of Vehicle Type, Transport Duration and Pre-Transport Feeding on the Welfare of Sheep Transported in Low Temperatures

Francesca Carnovale, Jin Xiao, Binlin Shi, Tanel Kaart, David Arney, Clive J. C. Phillips

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing the impact of 3 factors on the welfare of sheep transported in cold weather, and concluding that the animals whose welfare was most affected were those transported in uncovered vehicles, for long periods of time, and without being fed prior to transport.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Ovines

Keywords: Transport

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Scientific knowledge about fitness for transport of pigs reviewed

Mette S. Herskin, Marien A. Gerritzen, Michael Marahrens, Marc B.M. Bracke, Hans A.M. Spoolder

Published in 2021

Summary of the EURCAW-Pigs scientific review on the fitness for transport of pigs, setting out the European regulations and the two major areas to be addressed during inspection. The animals to be transported must be checked for signs of illness and poor physiological condition, for which checklists are provided 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Transport

Impact of paper bedding on lying behaviour and welfare in lactating dairy cows

Helena F.M.Sobte, Stephanie Buijs

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing the effects of paper- and sawdust-based bedding on the welfare of lactating dairy cows, looking specifically at lying behaviour, activity, lameness, skin lesions, cleanliness and productivity and finding no significant difference between the two bedding types.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Housing, Livestock farming system, Pain, Welfare indicators

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Knowledge and Perspectives on the Welfare of Italian Heavy Pigs on Farms

Marika Vitali, Eleonora Nannoni, Luca Sardi, Giovanna Martelli

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the available data on the welfare of Italian heavy pigs, which are reared over a longer period in order to create traditional products and therefore have special needs. The review concludes that there are many information gaps and research is needed to improve the welfare of this particular pig population.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Welfare indicators, Livestock farming system

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RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme Standard - Dairy Calves

RSPCA Australia

Published in 2021

A document outlining Australia's new RSPCA standards for the welfare of dairy calves. The main elements are: improving the fulfilment of the behavioural needs of calves, provision of sufficient quality and quantity of colostrum, housing of calves in groups in suitable conditions, no transport of calves under 10 days of age, and prohibition of painful practices such as the dehorning of calves.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Pain, Housing, Mutilation, Livestock farming system

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Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS)

Gerald Reiner, Josef Kuehling, Frederik Loewenstein, Mirjam Lechner, Sabrina Becker

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the differential diagnosis of inflammation and necrosis syndrome in pigs so that tail lesions caused by bites from other pigs and those caused by the disease can be distinguished.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Pain, Mutilation, Livestock farming system

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Evaluation of the Feasibility, Reliability, and Repeatability of Welfare Indicators in Free-Roaming Horses: A Pilot Study

Jessica J. Harley, J. David Stack, Helen Braid, Krista M. McLennan, Christina R. Stanley

Published in 2021

Scientific paper testing animal- and environment- based welfare indicators for use on free-roaming horses. The test focused on ease of use, repeatability and reliability.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords: Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators

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Health and Welfare Survey of 30 Dairy Goat Farms in the Midwestern United States

Melissa N. Hempstead, Taylor M. Lindquist, Jan K. Shearer, Leslie C. Shearer, Paul J. Plummer

Published in 2021

Scientific paper identifying areas for research that should be supported to improve the welfare of goats in the US Midwest. They include pain relief during routine husbandry activities, perinatal kid management, eradication of common contagious diseases, training in foot trimming, disbudding and udder health.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Caprines

Keywords:Pain, Housing, Mutilation, Human-animal relationships, Livestock farming system, Welfare indicators

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Identification of Animal-Based Welfare Indicators in Captive Reptiles: A Delphi Consultation Survey

Peta L. Hitchens, Rachael H. Booth, Annabelle Murphy, Bidda Jones, Lauren M. Hemsworth

Published in 2021

Scientific paper on the gathering of an evidence base of expert opinion on welfare indicators for the animals to be included in a welfare assessment tool for four reptile families.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Exotic pets

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Living environment, Human-animal relationships, Societal issues, Welfare indicators

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The upper temperature thresholds of life

Senthold Asseng, Dietrich Spänkuch, Ixchel M Hernandez-Ochoa, Jimena Laporta

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the extreme temperature thresholds for different living organisms, concluding that they are similar for most animals, agricultural crops and humans, and that excessively high temperatures, especially when these are combined with high humidity, cause heat stress and can be fatal even for short exposures.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Mammals, Fish

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to its environment, Environment, Welfare indicators, Stress

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