Physiological and nonphysiological indicators of body condition score in weaner pigs.
The aim of this study was to identify parameters that may be used as objective measures of wellbeing in weaner pigs on farm. Eighty-six weaner pigs were categorized into 3 groups based on their BCS: very compromised (VC, BCS = 1), moderately compromised (MC, BCS = 2), or healthy (HY, BCS ≥ 3). Nonphysiological and physiological measures were then collected from the pigs. Nonphysiological measures included 3 subjective binary scores that assessed the activity, hairiness, and responsiveness of each pig. Physiological measures included rectal temperature, skin temperature, and 11 blood-based parameters. Each physiological measure was assessed in a ternary manner, with pigs being classed as being above, below, or within the normal physiological range. Fisher’s exact tests (FET) were used to identify differences between the numbers of pigs in each BCS category for each variable, and ANOVA of physiological measures was also conducted. Correlations between all variables were also conducted. The FET results identified significant differences for 8 of the measures, with activity, hairiness, responsiveness, rectal temperature, and blood concentrations of glucose, creatinine kinase (CK), albumin, and globulin all differing significantly (all P < 0.05) according to category. Rectal temperature, glucose, and globulin concentrations were significantly different in ANOVA analyses. Of these measures, there were significant correlations between hairiness, rectal temperature, and glucose (all R > 0.30 and P < 0.05). Based on these results, rectal temperature, glucose, and hairiness all warrant further investigation as simple to apply, on-farm measures that can be used in conjunction with body condition and subjective assessment to aid management decisions on pig welfare.
Establishment of the Body Condition Score for adult female Xenopus laevis
The assessment of animals’ health and nutritional status using a Body Condition Score (BCS) has become a common and reliable tool in lab-animal science. It enables a simple, semi-objective, and non-invasive assessment (palpation of osteal prominences and subcutaneous fat tissue) in routine examination of an animal. In mammals, the BCS classification contains 5 levels: A low score describes a poor nutritional condition (BCS 1-2). A BCS of 3 to 4 is considered optimum, whereas a high score (BCS=5) is associated with obesity. While BCS are published for most common laboratory mammals, these assessment criteria are not directly applicable to clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) due to their intracoelomic fat body instead of subcutaneous fat tissue. Therefore this assessment tool is still missing for Xenopus laevis. The present study aimed to establish a species-specific BCS for clawed frogs in terms of experimental refinement. Accordingly, 62 adult female Xenopus laevis were weighed and sized. Further, the body contour was defined, classified, and assigned to BCS groups. A BCS 5 was associated with a mean body weight of 193.3 g (± 27.6 g), whereas a BCS 4 ranged at 163.1 g (±16.0 g). Animals with a BCS=3 had an average body weight of 114.7 g (±16.7 g). A BCS=2 was determined in 3 animals (103 g, 110 g, and 111 g). One animal had a BCS=1 (83 g), which would be equivalent to a humane endpoint. In conclusion, individual examination using the presented visual BCS provides a quick and easy assessment of nutritional status and overall health of adult female Xenopus laevis. Due to their ectothermic nature and the associated special metabolic situation, it can be assumed that a BCS ≥3 is to be preferred for female Xenopus laevis. In addition, BCS assessment may indicate underlying subclinical health problems that require further diagnostic investigation.
Design of loading facilities and holding pens
Abstract Holding pens and loading facilities are used in abattoirs, saleyards, stockyards, and sorting facilities. Long, narrow pens are recommended where animals enter through one end and leave through the other. Constructing the pens on a 60–80° angle eliminates sharp 90° corners. Flooring in holding pens should be non-slip. Indoor holding pens should have even, diffuse lighting that minimizes shadows. Cattle, pigs and sheep have a tendency to move more easily from a dimly illuminated area to a more brightly illuminated area. Facilities should be designed to minimize excessive noise. In large facilities more than one unloading ramp may be required to facilitate prompt unloading. During warm weather prompt unloading is essential because heat rapidly builds up in a stationary vehicle. Ideally, holding pens should be built at truck height to eliminate ramps. The maximum recommended angle for adjustable ramps for cattle, pigs, and sheep is 25°. Twenty degrees is the maximum recommended angle for non-adjustable ramps. For pigs, 15° is recommended. Ramps should have a level dock at the top equal to one animal body length. Stairsteps are recommended on concrete ramps. Recommended dimensions are a 30 cm minimum tread width and a 10 cm rise for cattle, and a 25 cm tread width and 5 cm rise for slaughter weight pigs. Both loading and unloading ramps should have solid fences. The crowd pen that leads to the ramp should also have solid sides and it must never be placed on a ramp. Crowd pens must be level. Single file, curved ramps with solid fences are very efficient for loading cattle onto trucks. Ramps used for unloading only should be 2.5 to 3-m wide to provide animals with a clear exit off the vehicle. In Denmark and other Scandinavian countries trucks used for transporting pigs are equipped with a hydraulic tailgate lift. Well designed holding pens and loading ramps can help reduce bruises and stress.