ACER Consulting Ltd., Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 5L3; Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1.
ACER Consulting Ltd., Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 5L3.
J Dairy Sci. 2020 Apr;103(4):3599-3605. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-17595. Epub 2020 Feb 20.
The objective of this study was to describe mortality rates and euthanasia practices used for cows, heifer calves, and male dairy calves on Canadian dairy farms. An internet survey was administered to Canadian dairy producers between March and April 2015 to collect information on current management practices. Approximately 81% (867/1,076) and 63% (673/1,065) of respondents reported that at least one animal died unassisted and at least one animal was euthanized on the farm in the preceding 12-mo period, respectively. Overall, mean mortality was 8% for cows, and 6 and 2% for preweaning and weaned heifers, respectively. On average, 48, 76, and 89% of all reported mortality events in cows, weaned heifers, and preweaning heifers were recorded as unassisted deaths. Cows that died without assistance were necropsied more often than preweaning heifers dying without assistance; these cows were also necropsied more than cows that were euthanized. Conversely, preweaning heifers that were euthanized were necropsied more frequently than those that died without assistance. Choosing not to perform necropsies on animals that die of unknown causes could represent a missed opportunity to identify cause of death and inform changes to prevent future deaths. The use of a firearm was the most common method for euthanizing cows and heifers (54%) and male dairy calves (51%). Approximately 7% of respondents reported using blunt force to euthanize animals. The use of this method was much higher for euthanasia of male dairy calves (34%) than for heifer calves (7%). Québec respondents euthanized their animals using blunt force more often than farmers from other regions. Further, 53% of respondents using blunt force indicated it was their primary method of calf euthanasia; these results are extremely concerning. Approximately 31% of respondents who reported that they do not use blunt force to euthanize heifers and cows did report using blunt force to euthanize male dairy calves. These results can be used to inform veterinarian-client communication, broader extension tools and programs, and industry policies to improve dairy cattle health and welfare, a goal that is becoming of increasing importance from a consumer assurance perspective.
本研究的目的是描述加拿大奶牛场奶牛、小母牛和公奶牛犊的死亡率和安乐死实践。2015 年 3 月至 4 月期间，通过互联网调查向加拿大奶牛生产者收集了关于当前管理实践的信息。分别约有 81%（867/1076）和 63%（673/1065）的应答者报告说，在过去 12 个月内，至少有 1 只动物在农场未经协助死亡，至少有 1 只动物在农场被安乐死。总体而言，奶牛的平均死亡率为 8%，断奶前和断奶后的小母牛分别为 6%和 2%。在所有报告的奶牛、断奶小母牛和断奶前小母牛的死亡事件中，平均有 48%、76%和 89%被记录为非协助性死亡。未经协助而死亡的奶牛比未经协助而死亡的断奶前小母牛更常进行剖检；这些奶牛也比被安乐死的奶牛更常进行剖检。相反，被安乐死的断奶前小母牛比未经协助而死亡的小母牛更常进行剖检。选择不对死因不明的动物进行剖检可能会错失确定死因并采取措施防止未来死亡的机会。使用枪支是对奶牛和小母牛（54%）以及公奶牛犊（51%）进行安乐死的最常见方法。约有 7%的应答者报告使用钝器安乐死动物。这种方法在雄性奶牛犊（34%）中的使用频率明显高于小母牛（7%）。来自魁北克的应答者比来自其他地区的农民更常使用钝器对动物进行安乐死。此外，53%使用钝器的应答者表示这是他们对小牛安乐死的主要方法；这些结果令人非常担忧。大约 31%报告说他们不对小母牛和奶牛使用钝器进行安乐死的应答者确实报告对雄性奶牛犊使用钝器进行安乐死。这些结果可用于告知兽医与客户的沟通、更广泛的推广工具和方案以及行业政策，以改善奶牛的健康和福利，从消费者保证的角度来看，这一目标变得越来越重要。
