Evaluation of the impacts of spaying by either the dropped ovary technique or ovariectomy via flank laparotomy on the welfare of Bos indicus beef heifers and cows1

Petherick, J. Carol; McCosker, Kieren; Mayer, David G.; Letchford, P; McGowan, Michael

doi:10.2527/jas.2012-5164

Cited by 19 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…This change in head posture appeared to be a transient response to spray, whereas in other contexts lowered head or neck carriage has been interpreted to indicate states of pain (head below brisket or withers, respectively; Petherick et al, 2013;Gleerup et al, 2015). Previously, we speculated such behavior in the context of sprinklers may reflect aversion toward exposing the head to spray .…”

Section: Head Posturementioning

confidence: 87%

Sprinkler flow rate affects dairy cattle avoidance of spray to the head, but not overall, in an aversion race

Chen

Schütz

Tucker

2016

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Spraying cattle with water elicits behavioral responses ranging from willing use to avoidance of wetting the head or entire body. This variation may be partly explained by sprinkler flow rate, as higher flow rates result in greater heat abatement and spray impact. An aversion race can be used to evaluate the emotional valence cows associate with treatments, based on the prediction that they will approach negative (vs. positive) stimuli more slowly and require greater pressure from a handler. Our objective was to evaluate how heat load affects the degree to which dairy cattle show reluctance to approach sprinklers with different flow rates in an aversion race. We compared unsprayed treatments (n = 8 with feed, n = 16 without) to 0.4 L/min (n = 14) and 4.5 L/min (n = 17) sprinklers, which differed eight-fold in spray impact (1.1 vs. 8.9 kPa, respectively). Over 10 trials, cows were required to approach treatments in a covered, narrow raceway (average outdoor air temperature, mean ± SD, 31 ± 3.8°C). We compared time to complete the race (transit time), the pressure handlers applied, and head posture. Overall, handlers applied pressure half as often when feed was offered but there were no other treatment differences in handling pressure or transit time. Thus, we excluded the feed treatment when examining interactions with heat load and sprinkler flow rate. In warmer weather, transit time increased (by 13 s per 10°C increase). As their respiration rate increased, unsprayed cows moved more slowly (by 7 s per 10 breaths/min increase), whereas sprayed cows did not. Handling pressure was not affected by heat load or spray application, but head posture depended on sprinkler flow rate. When cows approached 4.5 L/min, they lowered their heads nearly five times as often compared to 0.4 L/min or no spray (proportion of trials ± SE, 0.81 ± 0.05, 0.17 ± 0.06, and 0.15 ± 0.05, respectively). This may have been an attempt to reduce exposure of sensitive body parts to higher-impact spray. Indeed, when we applied von Frey monofilaments to the ear and shoulder (n = 56), the ear had a lower response threshold (greater sensitivity) than the shoulder [mean (95% confidence interval), 0.2 (0.1 to 0.4) vs. 1.2 (0.5 to 2.5) g of force, respectively, back transformed from natural log values]. In conclusion, each measure provided different insights about reluctance to approach treatments. Transit time increased in response to heat load rather than aversion. Handling pressure reflected willingness, as it was needed less often when cows were offered a feed reward, but this measure did not differ among sprinkler treatments. Therefore, although cows lowered their heads to avoid exposing sensitive areas to higher-impact spray, they did not show overall aversion to this type of spray.

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Section: Head Posturementioning

confidence: 87%

Sprinkler flow rate affects dairy cattle avoidance of spray to the head, but not overall, in an aversion race

Chen

Schütz

Tucker

2016

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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“…Heifers may undergo bilateral ovariectomy or 'spaying' to prevent pregnancy and, in feedlots, the resulting mounting and higher activity levels associated with estrus (AVMA, 2011). Evidence suggests that both flank and vaginal approaches cause pain (Petherick et al, 2011(Petherick et al, , 2013) that may be long-lasting. Indeed, spaying results in reduced weight gain for at least 6 weeks compared with unsprayed controls (McCosker et al, 2010).…”

Section: Alternatives To Painful Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beef cattle welfare in the USA: identification of priorities for future research

Tucker

Coetzee

Stookey

et al. 2015

Anim. Health. Res. Rev.

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This review identifies priorities for beef cattle welfare research in the USA. Based on our professional expertise and synthesis of existing literature, we identify two themes in intensive aspects of beef production: areas where policy-based actions are needed and those where additional research is required. For some topics, considerable research informs best practice, yet gaps remain between scientific knowledge and implementation. For example, many of the risk factors and management strategies to prevent respiratory disease are understood, but only used by a relatively small portion of the industry. This is an animal health issue that will require leadership and discussion to gain widespread adoption of practices that benefit cattle welfare. There is evidence of success when such actions are taken, as illustrated by the recent improvements in handling at US slaughter facilities. Our highest priorities for additional empirical evidence are: the effect of technologies used to either promote growth or manage cattle in feedlots, identification of management risk factors for disease in feedlots, and management decisions about transport (rest stops, feed/water deprivation, climatic conditions, stocking density). Additional research is needed to inform science-based recommendations about environmental features such as dry lying areas (mounds), shade, water and feed, as well as trailer design.

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“…In the rangeland beef cattle production systems of northern Australia, female cattle that are not required for breeding are spayed to control stocking rates and to enable surplus females, particularly heifers and aged animals, to be sold [1][2][3]. In addition, spaying reduces breeder mortalities, which is of particular economic importance as intact heifers may die from complications associated with pregnancy, parturition, and lactation [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, spaying reduces breeder mortalities, which is of particular economic importance as intact heifers may die from complications associated with pregnancy, parturition, and lactation [3]. Surgical spaying is currently the only practical and reliable method for rendering females sterile in extensively managed beef herds, and is also performed in southern Africa, and North America, and South America [2]. In these regions, bulls and females may be continuously grazed together as the labour and cost involved with fencing is prohibitive given property size, with breaches caused by seasonal bushfires or floods [2][3][4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Surgical spaying is currently the only practical and reliable method for rendering females sterile in extensively managed beef herds, and is also performed in southern Africa, and North America, and South America [2]. In these regions, bulls and females may be continuously grazed together as the labour and cost involved with fencing is prohibitive given property size, with breaches caused by seasonal bushfires or floods [2][3][4]. Females must also be non-pregnant in compliance with the strict requirements of Australia's live export trade with south-east Asia [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Preliminary Investigation to Address Pain and Haemorrhage Following the Spaying of Female Cattle

Saag

Letchford³

et al. 2020

Animals

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Multiple physiological and neuroendocrine changes consistent with stress and pain have been demonstrated in cattle spayed via the Willis dropped ovary technique (WDOT). The procedure is routinely conducted without the use of anaesthetics or analgesics and has major implications for animal welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a topical anaesthetic (TA), haemostatic wound dressing, and meloxicam on pain behaviour and haemorrhage in the acute period following spaying. Yearling Brahman heifers (n = 75) were randomly allocated to the following treatment groups: (1) rectal palpation/control (CON); (2) WDOT spay (S); (3) WDOT spay with meloxicam (SM); (4) WDOT spay with TA (STA); and (5) WDOT spay with TA and meloxicam (STAM). Individual behavioural responses, body weight, packed cell volume (PCV), and total plasma protein (TPP) were monitored for up to 24 h following treatment. Head tucking behaviour and tail stiffness was increased in all spay groups compared to the CON group (p < 0.001), with the lowest proportional increase in the SM group. Rumination was initially reduced in S, SM, and STA heifers compared to CON heifers (p < 0.001), though SM heifers ruminated more than S heifers (p < 0.001). CON and SM heifers stood with an arched back the least, spent the most time eating, and spent less time lying down and more time standing compared to other treatment groups (p < 0.001). There was no significant effect of treatment on weight change (p = 0.519), PCV (p = 0.125) or TPP (p = 0.799). The administration of meloxicam is suggested as an effective, currently available method for improving the welfare of cattle undergoing WDOT spaying.

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Evaluation of the impacts of spaying by either the dropped ovary technique or ovariectomy via flank laparotomy on the welfare of Bos indicus beef heifers and cows1

Cited by 19 publications

References 29 publications

Sprinkler flow rate affects dairy cattle avoidance of spray to the head, but not overall, in an aversion race

Sprinkler flow rate affects dairy cattle avoidance of spray to the head, but not overall, in an aversion race

Beef cattle welfare in the USA: identification of priorities for future research

Preliminary Investigation to Address Pain and Haemorrhage Following the Spaying of Female Cattle

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