Other Animal

Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) husbandry and their welfare

A key diagnostic tool in breeding practice is systematic observation: by identifying abnormalities in natural behaviour, it can highlight early signs of reduced welfare or physical and mental health issues in livestock and other animals. The aim of this paper...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Pilarczyk, R., Bąkowska, M., Pilarczyk, B. et al. 2025. Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) husbandry and their welfare. Animals 15(21).

Effects of natural and artificial shade on behavior, physiology, and productivity in water buffalo: A narrative review

Although water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are a species known for their adaptability to different environments, their anatomical characteristics make them susceptible to heat stress in hot-humid climate conditions. In productive systems, the provision of natural or artificial shade is an...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Lanzoni, L., Fernandes Bettencourt, A. et al. 2026. Effects of natural and artificial shade on behavior, physiology, and productivity in water buffalo: A narrative review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Efficacy and adverse effects of three delivery methods for aerosolized salbutamol in anesthetized European moose (Alces alces alces): A case series

Wild and captive European moose (Alces alces alces) are routinely anesthetized with drug combinations including alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists, dissociative anesthetics, and opioids. Reportedly, severe respiratory depression, ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, and hypoxemia are common complications in this species, requiring perianesthetic oxygen...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Morelli, J., Hoby, S., Heiderich, E. et al. 2026. Efficacy and adverse effects of three delivery methods for aerosolized salbutamol in anesthetized European moose (Alces alces alces): A case series. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 68(1), 11.

Factors affecting the effectiveness of captive-bolt stunning of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) at commercial slaughter in Sweden

Slaughterhouses for all animals, including reindeer, must achieve the goal of high animal welfare. They must carry out regular checks on stunning effectiveness and key parameters to ensure that animals do not display any signs of consciousness, and display the...

Year Published: 2026Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Kautto, A. H., Steen, M., Vågsholm, I. et al. 2026. Factors affecting the effectiveness of captive-bolt stunning of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) at commercial slaughter in Sweden. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 68(1), 12.

Body measurements and body condition scoring in Bactrian camels

Body measurements are used regularly to describe phenotypes or the weight of animals. However, little data describe the age effect on the different measurements. In the present paper, 477 Bactrian camels (7–180 months old) were measured (length of the head,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Faye, B., Akhmetsadykova, S., Akhmetzhanova, M. et al. 2025. Body measurements and body condition scoring in Bactrian camels. Animals 15(21).

Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: Moving from invasive to noninvasive methods

Research in ecology and wildlife biology remains crucial for increasing our knowledge and improving species management and conservation in the midst of the current biodiversity crisis. However, obtaining information on population status often involves invasive sampling of a certain number...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Identification Method, RestraintAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Crocodile & Alligator, Fish, Frog & Toad, Lizard, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Fish, Reptile, Salamander, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Zemanova, M. A. 2020. Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: Moving from invasive to noninvasive methods. Wildlife Biology 2020(1), no page numbers.

Effects of the method of restraint for shearing on behaviour and heart rate variability in alpacas

Alpacas are increasingly kept in Europe for different purposes including fibre production. Yearly shearing is necessary to harvest fibre and for welfare reasons. Different methods of restraint are used during shearing, which may affect the welfare of the animals differently....

Year Published: 2020Topics: Body Modification/Mutilation, RestraintAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Waiblinger, S., Hajek, F., Lambacher, B. et al. 2020. Effects of the method of restraint for shearing on behaviour and heart rate variability in alpacas. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 223, 104918.

Alpaca and llama behaviour during handling and its associations with caretaker attitudes and human-animal contact

The behaviour of new world camelids towards humans has received little research attention so far. Our aims were to assess the response of alpacas and llamas to handling, and to investigate its associations with caretaker attitudes and handling practices (i.e.,...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Windschnurer, I., Eibl, C., Franz, S. et al. 2020. Alpaca and llama behaviour during handling and its associations with caretaker attitudes and human-animal contact. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 226, 104989.

Evaluation of subcutaneous administration of alfaxalone-midazolam and ketamine-midazolam as sedation protocols in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate SC administration of 2 sedation protocols, ketamine-midazolam (KM) and alfaxalone-midazolam (AM), in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). ANIMALS: 9 healthy adult hedgehogs (5 males, 4 females). PROCEDURES: A randomized, blinded, complete crossover study was performed. Sedation was...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Hawkins, S. J., Doss, G. A., Mans, C. 2020. Evaluation of subcutaneous administration of alfaxalone-midazolam and ketamine-midazolam as sedation protocols in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 257(8), 820-825.

How dietary diversity enhances hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in grazing ruminants

Ruminants evolved in diverse landscapes of which they utilized, by choice, a diverse arrangement of plants (grasses, forbs, and trees) for food. These plants provide them with both primary (carbohydrates, protein, etc.) and secondary (phenolics, terpenes, etc.) compounds (PPC and...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle, Goat, Other Animal, Sheep

Citation: Beck, M. R., Gregorini, P. 2020. How dietary diversity enhances hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in grazing ruminants. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 191.