On farm slaughter

Question 1

What is euthanasia, and how is it appropriately carried out?

Answer 1

“Euthanasia” is a Greek term meaning “good death”
To avoid pain and distress, the techniques used should cause immediate loss of consciousness followed by cardiac and respiratory arrest (which ultimately results in permanent loss of brain function and thereby death).

Question 2

Which features of an animal would consider it fit to live

Answer 2

• Free from pain and distress
• Able to walk / balance
• Able to eat and drink for maintenance
• Free from discomforting, inoperable, tumours
• Able to breathe without difficulty
• Able to pass urine and faeces without difficulty or incontinence
• Owner able to cope with nursing / medicating?

Question 3

What are some dilemmas involved in the euthanasia decision?

Answer 3

1. What is best for the animal
2. The wellbeing of your client
3. Financial constraints
4. Dealing with your own conscience
5. The degree to which you are attached to the animal
6. Your pride

Question 4

How is economical pressure involved in the euthanasia decision?

Answer 4

Financial pressure to keep trying if the animal has an economic value
Vs
Investing more in treating an animal which may not recover and give a return on investment.
- Clients vary hugely on their focus on costs, optimism in outcome and sentiment
- Need informed consent

Question 5

What costs are involved in euthanasia?

Answer 5

Total cost associated with sick farm animal = cost of treatment + cost of euthanasia + disposal carcase + loss of milk + loss of meat + replacement animal
In theory, if prognosis < 50% then most economical to euthanise; however, if replacement costs soar it becomes attractive to gamble on treatment costs

Question 6

List the euthanasia methods available

Answer 6

1. Injectables - Pentobarbitone. Sedate first with xylazine?
2. ‘Shoot’
   - Stunning with a captive bolt followed by pithing
   - Free bullet gun

Question 7

When is the decision to shoot or inject considered?

Answer 7

• Consider fear as well as pain!
• Abattoir
• Halal slaughter
• Wringing the neck of a chicken
• Does ‘violent’ mechanical death cause stress? How to interpret ‘thrashing about’?
• Isolate those to be slaughtered from other animals?
• Consider way of disposal

Question 8

Describe the landmark for stunning cattle

Answer 8

Place muzzle captive bolt 2 cm lateral of the crossing point of two imaginary lines drawn between the lateral cantus of the eye and the opposite horn base
‘Better a bit too high than too low’ – NOT between the eyes!

Question 9

Describe the landmark for stunning hornless sheep

Answer 9

Place muzzle in the centre of the top of the head

Question 10

Describe the landmark for stunning horned sheep/goats

Answer 10

Behind the ridge between the horns; aim towards the base of the tongue

Question 11

Describe the landmark for stunning pigs

Answer 11

• 2 cm above the eyes, halfway across the forehead, aiming up slightly
• Small brain – correct placement essential! Remember they have a large frontal sinus
• Might be better to use a (shot) gun: either as above or from behind the ear, aiming towards the opposite eye

Question 12

Describe the vets role in emergency slaughter

Answer 12

Vet needs to carry out ante mortem inspection and certify (‘Schedule 90’) that the animal is fit for human consumption; animal then needs to be slaughtered within 2 hours
Vet also needs to be present at the slaughter

Question 13

What are the requirements for emergency slaughter

Answer 13

• Only when there is an acute problem – so not when there’s a solar ulcer or joint infection
• Only when the animal is not within a drug withhold period
• The animal has to be clean
• Large parts of carcase condemned
• TSE tests to be carried out
• Blood to be collected