VPH Flashcards
What is a zoonotic disease?
Diseases of humans in which the infectious agent is acquired from animals and for which animals are the reservoir of infection
What is an emerging infectious disease?
One that has appeared in a population for the first time or which may have existed previously but is rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range (75% are zoonotic)
What are some reasons for emergence (and spread) or EADs?
- Ecological changes or disruption (eg. Climate change, vectors)
- BTV - Introduction of animals/people to new areas
- Hendra, SARS - Increasing global movement(both people and animals)
- Swine flu - Cultural changes and changes to agricultural practices
- Enhanced disease surveillance and detection (eg. High throughput DNA sequencing technologies)
What are some general impacts of emerging infectious diseases?
- Animal health and welfare
- Human health
- Economic impacts
- Social impacts
- Trade restrictions
- Environmental
- Political
What are some important features of modern abattoirs?
- Stunning prior to slaughter
- Abattoir design to minimise stress
- Protocols/ procedures to maximise animal welfare at all stages (transport, lairage, stunning, slaughter)
- Design, protocols/procedures to maintain food safety
- Design, protocols/procedures to maintain worker safety
What is the purpose of stunning an animal before slaughter?
To render animal unconscious and insensible to pain prior to slaughter
What is sticking?
Blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood to the brain are severed during slaughter
What is the difference between reversible and irreversible stunning?
Reversible- animal can recover sensibility. Therefore brain function needs to be stopped by another method (sticking). Period of insensibility needs to continue until animal is dead
Irreversible- animal will die if not slaughtered but sticking is still done
Describe head only stunning. Include how long it lasts, what animals it is used in etc.
Electrodes either side of head. Electrical waves induce an epileptiform seizure. Period of insensibility is about 45 seconds
Used in small livestock (sheep, goats, pigs, calves) and poultry
Acceptable for halal
What are the phases and signs of an effective stun?
Tonic phase: 10-20 secs. Animal collapses and becomes rigid. No rhythmic breathing, head is raised, forelegs extended and hind limbs flexed into the body.
Clonic phase: 10-15 secs. Gradual muscle relaxation, paddling/ involuntary kicking. Downward eyeball movement, urination/ defecation.
Recovery: resumption of normal rhythmic breathing, response to painful stimuli, visual awareness, attempts to stand.
Describe non penetrative captive bolt stunning?
Mushroom head captive bolt 4apidly accelerates and decelerates the brain. Causes massive stimulation and firing of neurones leading to insensibility.
May cause subdural haemorrhage
Needs sticking after
What are some signs of an effective stun using captive bolt?
- Animal drops and stays down
- Uncoordinated hindleg kicking
- No corneal reflex
- Cessation of rhythmic breathing
- No vocalisation
- No rotation of eyeball
- No coordinated attempts to rise
In which species in CO2 stunning most commonly used? Why?
Pigs! Involves 80-90% CO2. Pigs lose consciousness within 30 secs. It’s used because it lets pigs stay in groups
What is a controlled atmosphere chamber?
Stunning chamber used for poultry. CO2, argon and nitrogen
What is head to back electrical stunning? Is it reversible? What animals is it used in?
Causes epileptiform seizure and fibrillation of the heart. Loss of heart function, blood stasis, deceased O2 supply to brain.
Used in small livestock.
IRREVERSIBLE!
What is penetrative captive bolt stunning?
Bolt aimed towards the brain stem. Results in percussive wave within brain tissue. Used in cattle, goats and sheep.
IRREVERSIBLE!
What is the most effective method of bleeding?
Chest stick - rapid blood loss, shortest time to loss of function. (At throat in sheep and goats
What are some requirements of a lairage? (There’s quite a lot, just know a few)
Non slip floors Curved races High walls Minimal distractions Move animals in small groups Free access to water Room to lie down Antemortem vet inspection Access to feed if held a long time Easy to clean Protected from extreme weather
What are the two types of restraint systems used in abattoirs?
- Conveyer restrainers (use with captive bolt or electrical stunning. In large plants)
- Stun boxes/crush restrainers (cattle. For use with captive bolt stunning)