Behavioural and physiological responses of sheep to 16 h transport and a novel environment post-transport

The effect of a novel lairage environment on the ability of sheep to recover from 16 h of transport was investigated. Sheep were transported from grass paddocks to either novel outside paddocks or inside pens, and housed groups were transported to either familiar or novel inside pens. During transport, sheep from outside paddocks lay down less than those from inside pens. In sheep transported to inside pens, those from outside paddocks spent more time lying and spent less time eating; hay and water intakes during the first 12 h post-transport were lower than those previously kept inside. There was no obvious effect of a novel environment post-transport on blood biochemistry, suggesting that the lower post-transport feed and water intakes in a novel environment did not have a significant effect on the ability of the sheep to recover from the feed and water deprivation associated with transport.     

Current practice relating to equine castration in the UK

This study aimed to characterise current practice relating to equine castration in the UK. A questionnaire was posted to all 655 veterinary practices specified to provide veterinary care for horses, or classified as specialist equine practices. Respondents were asked to cite the number of equine castrations performed annually by the practice, describe techniques used for castration, outline anaesthetic/sedative/analgesic drug protocols used and provide details of post-operative medication. There was a 43% response rate to the questionnaire. Considerable variation in techniques and analgesia provision was identified, with the majority of respondents using a number of sedation/anaesthetic protocols rather than a single technique. This characterisation of current practice provides a useful platform from which subsequent investigations into welfare implications of current equine castration techniques can be directed.     

Preliminary evaluation of a behaviour-based system for assessment of post-operative pain in horses following arthroscopic surgery

Objective To develop a method for objective assessment of equine post‐operative pain. Study design Prospective nonblinded clinical study. Animals Twelve adult horses: Group 1 (G1, n = 6), admitted for arthroscopy (under general anaesthesia, with multimodal analgesia); Group 2 (G2, n = 6), ‘pain free’ controls. Materials and methods Horses were filmed continuously (CVI, time‐lapse video recorder) over 72 hours, from 24 hours pre‐surgery (PS) to 48 hours post‐recovery (PR) (G1), and over 24 hours (G2). Activity budgets were determined from 24 to 0 hours PS, 0–24 and 24–48 hours PR (G1) and for 24 hours (G2). Using direct observation (DO), active behaviours and postures were recorded at set time points PS and PR (G1) and at two time points (morning/evening) (G2). Heart rate (HR) and respiration rate (RR) were recorded simultaneously. Statistical analysis investigated within‐group and between‐group time‐related changes in behaviour, HR and RR. Results There was no difference in HR or RR between G1 and G2 at any time point. Anaesthetic ‘hangover’ and hunger‐related activity modulated behaviour from 0 to 6 hours PR, when abnormal postures and locomotion occurred in all G1 horses, but no G2 horses. Compared with G1 (0–24 hours PR), G2 spent more time eating (t = ?3.34, p < 0.01), more time at the front of the stable (t = ?2.42, p < 0.05), and less time exhibiting ‘abnormal’ behaviour (U = 56, p < 0.01). Comparing PS and PR behaviour, G1 spent less time exploring from 24 to 48 hours PR (t = 3.49, p < 0.05), less time in sternal recumbency (t = ?3.8, p < 0.05) and less time moving (t = 3.19, p < 0.05). Horses tended (p < 0.07) to spend less time positioned in the front of the stable PR (less from 24 to 48 hours PR than from 0 to 24 hours PR). Comparing PR (evening) behaviour, G2 spent more time with head above withers (U = 21.5, p < 0.01), and ears forwards (U = 22, p < 0.01). G1 showed time‐related changes (all p < 0.05) in time with lower lip tense (S = 15.8), eating (S = 17.08) and with head positioned above withers (S = 18.04). No differences in event behaviours were observed between G1 and G2. Within G1, only olfactory behaviour varied significantly with time (S = 14.52, p < 0.05). Conclusions Changes in equine behaviour suggestive of post‐operative discomfort were identified using both DO and CVI. Analysis of activity budgets may be a more sensitive method of identifying behavioural changes indicative of equine discomfort than repeated DO of specific events and postures.     

Effect of age at castration on behavioural response to subsequent tail docking in lambs

Objective To investigate the effects of age at castration on the subsequent behavioural response to tail docking. Study design Randomised prospective blinded experimental study. Animals Forty‐five male lambs were admitted to the study at birth. Methods The lambs were allocated into two groups for castration by rubber ring at 1 (1D, n = 20) or 10 (10D, n = 25) days of age. Following castration both groups of lambs were tail‐docked by rubber ring at between 26 and 34 days of age. Their behavioural responses to tail docking were recorded by video for 30 minutes before (n = 11) and 30 minutes after (n = 45) tail docking. Statistical differences were tested using anova with Mann‐Whitney post‐hoc testing. Results Two data sets were removed resulting in n = 19 and = 24 at 1D and 10D, respectively. A significant increase in the incidence of active and abnormal postural behaviour was seen in both groups after tail docking. Three behaviours were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the two groups. These behaviours were rolling, standing unsteadily and the total proportion of time standing with abnormal posture. These behaviours all had greater incidence in the lambs castrated at 1D of age. Conclusions Lambs castrated at 1D appeared to perceive a greater intensity of pain after subsequent tail docking than lambs castrated at 10D. Clinical relevance The timing of a single noxious stimulus in young animals can affect subsequent pain perception.