Pig

A comparison of respiratory function in pigs anaesthetised by propofol or alfaxalone in combination with dexmedetomidine and ketamine

Background: General anaesthesia in pigs maintained with intravenous drugs such as propofol may cause respiratory depression. Alfaxalone gives less respiratory depression than propofol in some species. The aim of the investigation was to compare respiratory effects of propofol–ketamine–dexmedetomidine and alfaxalone–ketamine–dexmedetomidine...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Lervik, A., Toverud, S. F., Krontveit, R. et al. 2020. A comparison of respiratory function in pigs anaesthetised by propofol or alfaxalone in combination with dexmedetomidine and ketamine. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 62(1), 1-9.

A high enrichment replenishment rate reduces damaging behaviors and increases growth rate in undocked pigs kept in fully slatted pens

One of the difficulties in complying with the prohibition of routine tail docking is a lack of effective alternative solutions to prevent tail biting, especially in fully slatted systems. This study compared three slat-compatible enrichment replenishment strategies for pigs. Forty-eight...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Chou, J.-Y., Sandercock, D. A., D'Eath, R. B. et al. 2020. A High Enrichment replenishment rate reduces damaging behaviors and increases growth rate in undocked pigs kept in fully slatted pens. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 584706.

The influence of early life socialisation on cognition in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica)

Previously, the benefits of early-life socialisation on later-life social development have been reported in pigs. Here we investigated the effect of pre-weaning socialisation on the later-life cognitive ability of pigs using a range of techniques. Pre-weaning, 101 piglets had access...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Weller, J. E., Turner, S. P., Futro, A. et al. 2020. The influence of early life socialisation on cognition in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica). Scientific Reports 10(1), 19077.

Which types of rooting material give weaner pigs most pleasure?

Provision of rooting material as enrichment for pigs has been primarily oriented towards reducing negative affect (suffering). Information is also needed on the impact of different types of rooting materials in promoting positive affect (pleasure). We hypothesised that repeated addition...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Ocepek, M., Newberry, R. C., Andersen, I. L. 2020. Which types of rooting material give weaner pigs most pleasure? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 231, 105070.

Wireless ‘under the skull’ epidural EEG and behavior in piglets during nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide gas euthanasia

Consciousness is central to animal welfare concerns. Its assessment is most often conducted based on behavior, with a poor understanding of the correspondence between behavior and the neurobiological processes that underlie the subjective experience of consciousness. Recording of brain electrical...

Year Published: 2020Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Rault, J.-L., Lai, A., Hemsworth, L. et al. 2020. Wireless ‘under the skull’ epidural EEG and behavior in piglets during nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide gas euthanasia. Physiology & Behavior 227, 113142.

Severity assessment in pigs after partial liver resection: Evaluation of a score sheet

Severity assessment in biomedical research is required by the European authorities. Therefore, a variety of score sheets are available. The first score sheets were designed and introduced by Morton and Griffith (M&G) in 1985, to assess pain and distress in...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Hagemeister, K., Ernst, L., Kadaba Srinivasan, P. et al. 2020. Severity assessment in pigs after partial liver resection: Evaluation of a score sheet. Laboratory Animals 54(3), 251–260.

Short-term choice of fattening pigs for additional plant-based materials

A major problem in conventional pig production systems is the occurrence of abnormal behaviours such as tail biting. Tail biting is a multifactorial problem, but it seems that a lack of proper enrichment materials prevents the animals from performing normal...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Kauselmann, K., Krause, E. T., Glitz, B. et al. 2020. Short-term choice of fattening pigs for additional plant-based materials. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 226, 104975.

The power of a positive human–animal relationship for animal welfare

Domestic animals often seek and enjoy interacting with humans. Positive human–animal relationships can elicit positive emotions and other positive welfare outcomes. Nevertheless, our understanding of the underlying processes that govern the positive perception of humans by animals is incomplete. We...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: All/General, Bird, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Dog, Goat, Parrot, Pig, Rat, Rodent, Sheep

Citation: Rault, J.-L., Waiblinger, S., Boivin, X. et al. 2020. The power of a positive human–animal relationship for animal welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 590867.

A systematic literature review on depopulation methods for swine

Swine mass depopulation refers to the destruction of large numbers of pigs and may include not only animals affected with a disease but also healthy pigs in a facility or surrounding areas. Emerging applications of mass depopulation include reducing welfare...

Year Published: 2020Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Arruda, A. G., Beyene, T. J., Kieffer, J. et al. 2020. A systematic literature review on depopulation methods for swine. Animals 10(11), 2161.

Accelerometer systems as tools for health and welfare assessment in cattle and pigs – A review

Welfare assessment has traditionally been performed by direct observation by humans, providing information at only selected points in time. Recently, this assessment method has been questioned, as ‘Precision Livestock Farming’ technologies may be able to deliver more valid, reliable and...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle, Pig

Citation: Chapa, J. M., Maschat, K., Iwersen, M. et al. 2020. Accelerometer systems as tools for health and welfare assessment in cattle and pigs – A review. Behavioural Processes 181, 104262.