Comparison of penetrating and non-penetrating captive bolt in an alternative occipital approach in calves

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the effect of penetrating or non-penetrating captive bolt using an occipital approach in 4–5 month old, Holstein steers weighing between 100–200 kg. Twelve calves were divided into two treatment groups; penetrating captive bolt (PCB; n = 6) and non-penetrating captive bolt (NPCB; n = 6). This sample size was chosen out of convenience and in conjunction with a separate study. Each calf was sedated with xylazine hydrochloride, then a captive-bolt device, outfitted with a standard penetrating bolt or a non-penetrating bolt, was placed flush on the dorsal midline of the cranium at the external occipital protuberance and aimed downward as though to intersect the intermandibular area. Following impact, indicators for loss of consciousness, such as respiration, righting response, corneal reflex, movement and vocalisation were recorded and characterised along with electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram recordings. After a 5-min observation period, all calves were administered potassium chloride. All calves experienced immediate and sustained loss of consciousness. The mean (± SEM) time to cessation of respiration was 60 (± 53.67) and 0 (± 0.0) s for PCB and NPCB, respectively. The mean time to cessation of convulsions was 310.4 (± 79.74) and 180.0 (± 60.24) s, respectively, and the mean number of convulsions was 2.75 (± 1.03) and 2.0 (± 0.837) for PCB and NPCB, respectively. Isoelectric EEG patterns were observed in 3/5 PCB and 3/4 NPCB with mean time to onset of isoelectric pattern in 69.0(± 52.24) and 113.5 (± 56.87) s. Both treatments induced a successful stun, which suggests these techniques are appropriate for humane euthanasia in calves of this age.

Comparison of frontal-sinus and poll shot locations as secondary methods for euthanizing dairy cattle with a penetrating captive bolt gun

“…This study provides the first data comparing different secondary methods of PCB euthanasia in an on-farm set- Consistent, rhythmic heartbeat can be heard using stethoscope The overall persistence of an auscultable heartbeat for 1 to 10 min in this study is within the range reported by other authors studying euthanasia of dairy and beef cattle of various ages. 3,5,6 Treatment did have an effect on the persistence of an auscultable heartbeat, with animals receiving the secondary shot in the poll location being less likely to have a heartbeat 5 min afterwards. This finding is consistent with the view that the secondary poll shot may be preferable to a secondary frontal-sinus shot.…”

Water-based medium-expansion foam depopulation of adult cattle

“…External accelerometers have been used extensively to determine COM in poultry and swine as a proxy for electroencephalography ( EEG ) and therefore brain death during various euthanasia methods, including WBF ( Dawson et al, 2007 ; Benson, et al, 2009 ; Caputo et al, 2012 ; Lorbach et al, 2021 ; Arruda et al, 2022 ). While accelerometers are easier to implement than EEG, it is established that unconsciousness occurs before convulsions in both poultry and cattle ( Dawson et al, 2007 ; Leary et al, 2019 ; Collins et al, 2020 ). In a study that utilized EEG and external accelerometers in calves euthanized via captive bolt, unconsciousness occurred in 0 s, but convulsions lasted up to 13.8 min ( Collins et al, 2020 ).…”

Welfare of cattle during killing for purposes other than slaughter

“…However, Gibson et al (2019) reported that effective stunning cattle (> 550 kg live weight) with the nonpenetrative captive bolt resulted in rapid onset of an isoelectric EEG, but that non-penetrative captive bolt stunning was less effective than penetrative captive bolt stunning. Collins et al (2020) investigated the effects of stunning 4-to 5-month-old Holstein calves weighing between 100 and 200 kg, sedated with xylazine hydrochloride and some animals restrained using a head halter, with either a penetrating captive bolt (PCB; n = 6) or a non-penetrating captive bolt (NPCB; n = 6). In both the cases, the device (Cash Special captive bolt pistol, Accles and Shelvoke Ltd, Sutton Coldfield, UK; fired with a 0.25-calibre orange cartridge) was placed flush on the dorsal midline of the cranium at the external occipital protuberance and aimed downward towards the intermandibular area.…”