Musculoskeletal injuries in Standardbred racehorses on Prince Edward Island.

A study of musculoskeletal injuries in Standardbred racehorses on Prince Edward Island was conducted to determine the incidence and risk factors for injury. Monthly information was collected from 10 trainers and 153 Standardbred horses over a 12-month period. Seventeen new injuries were identified in pacers, representing a horse level incidence risk of 23% and an incidence rate of injury of 2.19 per horse-month at risk. Forty-one percent of the injuries occurred during a race, 53% during training and 6% during jogging. Fourteen horses had experienced a previous injury and 3 of these horses experienced a new injury during the study period. Potential risk factors for injury were the speed at which the horse was trained, previous injury, and the conformational fault of offset knees.

Blessures musculosquelettiques chez des chevaux de course Standardbred à l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Une étude des blessures musculosquelettiques chez des chevaux de course Standardbred à l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard a été menée pour déterminer l'incidence et les facteurs de risque de blessures. Des informations mensuelles ont été recueillies auprès de 10 entraîneurs et de 153 chevaux Standardbred sur une période de 12 mois. Dix-sept nouvelles blessures ont été identifiées chez les trotteurs, représentant un risque d'incidence au niveau du cheval de 23 % et un taux d'incidence de blessures de 2,19 par cheval-mois à risque. Quarante et un pour cent des blessures sont survenues pendant une course, 53 % pendant l'entraînement et 6 % pendant le jogging. Quatorze chevaux avaient déjà subi une blessure et trois de ces chevaux ont subi une nouvelle blessure au cours de la période d'étude. Les facteurs de risque potentiels de blessure étaient la vitesse à laquelle le cheval a été entraîné, les blessures antérieures et le défaut de conformation des genoux décalés.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Fitness of animals for transport to slaughter.

Fitness for transport is an important factor affecting the potential for suffering during animal transportation. Examination of Canadian condemnation statistics, surveys of animals transported to slaughter, and legal case studies show that current guidelines and regulations do not always ensure that only fit animals are transported. Consideration of the pathophysiological implications of ill-health and injury on an animal's response to the potential physical and physiological challenges that can occur during transportation can assist in identifying the welfare implications of transporting compromised animals.

Aptitude des animaux au transport vers l'abattoir. L'aptitude au transport est un facteur important affectant le potentiel de souffrances durant le transport des animaux. L'examen des statistiques de condamnation canadiennes, des enquêtes sur les animaux transportés à l'abattoir et des études de cas juridiques montrent que les lignes directrices et les règlements actuels n'assurent pas toujours que seuls les animaux aptes sont transportés. La considération des répercussions pathophysiologiques d'une mauvaise santé et d'une blessure sur la réponse de l'animal face aux défis physiques et physiologiques qui peuvent se produire durant le transport peut aider à identifier les répercussions sur le bien-être du transport des animaux fragilisés.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Infrared Thermography for the Ante Mortem Detection of Bruising in Horses Following Transport to a Slaughter Plant.

Undetected injury of horses sustained during road transport to slaughter is a welfare concern. This study evaluated digital infrared thermography (DT) for the detection of ante-mortem bruising in horses following transport to a slaughter plant. The sensitivity and specificity of DT for the detection of bruises following transport was evaluated. DT images were obtained from 93 horses (2-3 horses per load; 40 loads) at a Canadian federally approved slaughter plant. From an elevated platform 5 m from the horses, left and right lateral DT images, and one caudal pelvic area image were obtained from each horse. After slaughter the carcasses were examined for bruising (a visually discolored area on the carcass caused by damage to the blood vessels) and findings documented. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated for DT assessment of bruising. The prevalence of bruising on post mortem inspection was 54%. The DT approach to bruise detection at the region of interest level of 93 horses (n = 186 sides) resulted in a sensitivity of 42% and specificity of 79%. As the sensitivity was low, a more sensitive DT camera and allowing for a longer equilibration time for horses after transport may improve this approach to post transport assessment of subclinical injury.

Patterns and durations of journeys by horses transported from the USA to Canada for slaughter.

Concern has been expressed over the welfare of horses transported from the USA for slaughter in Canada. United States Department of Agriculture owner/shipper certificates for the year 2009 were analyzed to provide quantitative information on the patterns and durations of these journeys. In 2009, horses from 16 states in the northern USA were transported to 6 equine slaughter plants in Canada. Thirty-two percent of loads were from auction centers, 33% from feedlots, and 35% from horse collection centers. The median duration of the journey was 19 h. Thirty-six percent of horses were transported for < 6 h, 11% for 6 to 18 h, 13% for 18 to 24 h, 25% for 24 to 36 h, 9% for 36 to 48 h, and apparently 6% > 48 h. Some journeys exceeded those specified in regulations and, based on other research, would put these horses at risk of negative welfare outcomes, such as dehydration, injury, and fatigue.

Trajets et durée des déplacements des chevaux transportés des États-Unis au Canada pour abattage. Des préoccupations ont été exprimées à propos du bien-être des chevaux transportés des États-Unis au Canada aux fins d'abattage. Les certificats de propriétaires/expéditeurs du ministère de l'Agriculture des États-Unis pour l'année 2009 ont été analysés afin de fournir des données quantitatives sur les trajets et la durée de ces déplacements. En 2009, des chevaux provenant de 16 États du nord-est des États-Unis ont été transportés à 6 abattoirs équins au Canada. Trente-deux pour cent des chargements provenaient de centres de ventes aux enchères, 33 % de parcs d'engraissement et 35 % de centres de collecte de chevaux. La durée médiane du déplacement était de 19 h. Trente-six pour cent des chevaux étaient transportés pendant < 6 h, 11 % de 6 h à 18 h, 13 % de 18 h à 24 h, 25 % de 24 h à 36 h, 9 % de 36 h à 48 h et apparemment 6 % > 48 h. Certains déplacements dépassaient les durées précisées dans les règlements et, en se basant sur d'autres recherches, ils exposeraient les chevaux à un risque d'effets néfastes pour le bien-être, comme la déshydratation, les blessures et la fatigue.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Survey of euthanasia practices in animal shelters in Canada.

Questionnaires on methods of euthanasia used in Canadian animal shelters were sent to 196 Canadian animal shelters yielding 67 responses. Sodium pentobarbital injection was the only method of euthanasia used by 61% of establishments that euthanized dogs and 53% of the establishments that euthanized cats. Many of these establishments used pre-medication. Sodium pentobarbital was mostly administered intravenously but some establishments also used intracardiac and intraperitoneal routes, and some only used intracardiac administration for cats. T-61 injection was the only method of euthanasia used by 23% of the establishments that euthanized dogs and 35% of the establishments that euthanized cats. All of these establishments used pre-medication, but the percentages of establishments that only used the intravenous route for administration of T-61 in dogs and cats were 45% and 7%, respectively. Further studies on the use of T-61, and the training and provision of counselling services for staff are recommended.

Animal-handling teaching at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh.

This article describes the teaching of animal handling at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, as part of an animal husbandry course during the first two years of the veterinary curriculum. Basic methods of handling and restraint appropriate for the wide range of animal species that might be encountered in veterinary practice are demonstrated in practical handling classes. Students are given opportunities to practice the techniques under supervision. Additional handling experience is available during extramural studies in animal husbandry at a variety of establishments. Students are formally examined on their ability to handle and restrain animals, and each is required to reach a threshold degree of competence before progressing to the clinical years.

Approaches to teaching animal welfare at 13 veterinary schools worldwide.

This paper comprises brief descriptions by faculty at 13 veterinary schools in Europe, North America, South America, and Australasia that summarize undergraduate training in animal welfare at the respective schools and how students are assessed.