Within the livestock sector, farmers and veterinarians are two groups of people who play a pivotal role in maintaining the health and welfare of animals. How the different welfare needs of farm animals are perceived and prioritised by these two caretaker groups will have direct implications for the animals in their care. People’s perceptions and attitudes directly influence their behaviour, and research has demonstrated that positive attitudes towards animals are paramount to ensuring good animal welfare. The prevention and mitigation of pain is an important component to ensuring good animal welfare, as pain has the potential to negatively affect both physical and mental health. How pain in animals is perceived by farmers and vets will influence how it is managed. Therefore, understanding how farmers and vets: view the capacity of animals to experience pain, perceive the pain severity associated with different conditions and procedures, view the importance of pain mitigation in relation to other welfare needs, and deem the necessity of analgesic use in livestock, is vital. Four separate questionnaire based studies were conducted to assess these attitudes in farmers and veterinarians as well as in agriculture and veterinary students, as these students will be the next generation of farmers and veterinarians. Overall, farmers and vets were found to have positive attitudes towards pain in livestock. Although the capacity of cattle and sheep to feel pain was perceived to be lower than that of humans it was still rated highly. In addition, positive beliefs about the benefits of pain alleviation, the negative impacts of pain on production and welfare, and the importance of prompt treatment and pain management for good welfare were held. Cattle farmers had more positive attitudes towards pain and analgesic use than sheep farmers. This difference was most evident around areas of resource availability, such as time and labour, and the practicalities associated with pain identification and drug provision. Farmers, vets and students perceived lameness to be a painful condition, with the perceived severity of pain being closely related to the perceived severity of the disease. In addition, participants reported a greater emotional reaction in instances where they rated lameness and pain more highly. Furthermore, a positive relationship was found between lameness, pain and emotional reaction scores and the decision to catch a lame sheep for inspection. The majority of students had positive views towards pain in farm animals, believing that: farm animals were capable of experiencing pain, prompt treatment and the provision of pain relief were the two most important elements of welfare, and that farm animals benefit from pain alleviation. However, there was a perceived difference between a number of animal species in their capacity to feel pain, with livestock species being viewed as having a lesser capacity than companion animals and humans. In addition effects of gender were found, with females reporting higher levels of empathy and compassion towards lame sheep, and rating pain higher. Furthermore, female students had a stronger belief that animals were sentient beings than did males. These four studies found that views on pain and analgesic use in livestock were generally positive. However, differences between individuals and between groups were found in a number of areas including how observers perceived the severity of painful conditions and procedures and in the capacity of different animal species to experience pain. These differences in attitudes may affect the decisions farmers and vets make regarding the treatment of pain, which is likely to have implications for farm animal welfare.

For the modern dairy cow, advances in genetics and breeding for productivity has resulted in an increasing incidence of health disorders and reduced longevity. One of the most important health problems is lameness, which has led to significant economic, production and welfare consequences. A reduction in lameness will improve the economic future of the dairy industry through increased profitability and decreased welfare-related problems. Although positive attempts have been made by researchers and the industry towards improving lameness, it has remained a persistent ailment for dairy farmers. Further analysis of the genetic and environmental factors influencing lameness is warranted so that selection indices and management practices can be modified leading to improved health and welfare of the dairy cow. Several factors that cause dairy cow lameness have been implicated. I reviewed previous studies on these causative factors as well as the association between lameness, longevity and fertility. It has also been suggested that lameness affects milk production of dairy cows, but reports on the association between lameness and daily milk yield of cows have varied among researchers. Using locomotion score data on 248 cows from the Langhill herd, I investigated the relationship between locomotion score which has a high genetic correlation with lameness and various explanatory variables and also the association between daily milk yield and lameness. The study revealed that the most significant factors affecting locomotion are management regime (high concentrate feed and all year indoor housing; low concentrate feed and outdoors in summer) and time of year when cows are locomotion scored. It also showed that lameness adversely affects the milk yield of later lactation cows, and that high yielding cows are more susceptible to lameness. Housing environment plays a significant role in the health and welfare of dairy cows. With national type evaluation records, I estimated the association between housing systems and lameness-related type traits as well as genetic parameters for the locomotion traits. The analysis indicated that cows kept at pasture had favourable linear and composite type trait scores compared with cows in cubicles, straw yards and slatted floors or loafing yards. Locomotion score had strong genetic and phenotypic correlations with the leg and feet composite. Bone quality, which is a new trait in the UK type classification scheme, was moderately heritable (0.23) and had a moderate and positive genetic association with locomotion and leg and feet composite. This suggests that breeding for flatter, more refined bones could reduce locomotion disorders and help improve the longevity of the dairy cow. Analysis of national data again showed reduced incidence of digital dermatitis (DD) for cows at pasture and those with flatter, more refined bones, higher locomotion score and better leg and feet composite. Estimates of genetic parameters indicated heritable variation of DD among cows and moderate genetic associations between DD and production traits and longevity. Incorporating DD in future selection indices will be useful for increased productive life. Using random regression, I analysed changes in type traits associated with lameness (locomotion, rear legs, side view, foot angle and leg and feet composite) in relation to time (months) that cows had spent in cubicles before being classified. The general trend supported the fact that cubicle housing is unfavourable to these traits. There was significant evidence of a genotype x environment interaction, suggesting variation between bulls in the sensitivity of their daughters to cubicle housing with time.

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Lameness is considered one of the most important health and welfare issues in the dairy industry. Understanding the total cost per case of disease-specific lameness can help producers select better treatment, prevention, and control strategies for their herds. The first objective of our research was to calculate the costs associated with 3 lameness causing hoof diseases: digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, and white line disease. To accomplish this, a survey of hoof health professionals (hoof trimmers and veterinarians) was conducted to identify treatment related expenditures per case. Data from the hoof trimmer responses to the survey and previously published research were incorporated into a farm-level stochastic simulation model to determine the expected costs per case of each disease and the most influential factors associated with disease costs. The cost per case was calculated by disease type, severity (mild or severe), incidence timing (0 to 60 days in milk, 61 to 120 days in milk, 121 to 240 days in milk, or > 240 days in milk), and parity group (primiparous or multiparous). The second objective of our research was to determine the economic value of investing in different lameness prevention strategies. Two prevention strategies were considered: 1) prevention of infectious hoof diseases and 2) prevention of non-infectious hoof diseases. The total expenditures (therapeutics, outside labor, on-farm labor, and prevention costs) and losses (discarded milk, reduced milk production, extended days open, increased risk of culling, increased risk of death, and recurrence losses) associated with each prevention strategy before and after prevention implementation were calculated and compared to find the breakeven investment cost.

Graduation date: 2005

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2007. / Principal faculty advisor: Robert M. Dyer, Dept. of Animal and Food Sciences. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Florida, 2004. / Typescript. Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 108 pages. Includes Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-08-02Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:21:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 bopp_s_dr_jabo.pdf: 2368102 bytes, checksum: ca8aa928b7d82169029b655fe0d9d7df (MD5) / Os equinos apresentam predisposição elevada às lesões do sistema locomotor desenvolvendo, em consequência disso, respostas inflamatória e álgica. O anti-inflamatório não esteroidal fenilbutazona é um dos fármacos mais utilizados no tratamento da inflamação e da dor músculo-esquelética nos equinos. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar os efeitos clínicos da administração em dose única de fenilbutazona nas doses de 2,2, 4,4 ou 16,6 mg/kg por via intravenosa em equinos submetidos à claudicação experimental reversível induzida por dois parafusos fixados à ferradura, ajustados para exercerem pressão solear e, consequentemente, causar desconforto e claudicação controlada. Por meio deste modelo, estudou-se a concentração plasmática da fenilbutazona e da oxifembutazona e a resposta clínica de seis equinos adultos, saudáveis submetidos a três doses de fenilbutazona, em um intervalo de sete dias. Os parafusos foram apertados e ajustados para produzirem compressão solear capaz de induzir claudicação de grau 3 ou 4, segundo escala da AAEP, e foram mantidos por um período de 24h. Avaliou-se grau de claudicação, frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, pressão arterial sistólica, sons intestinais, concentração plasmática da fenilbutazona e oxifembutazona, parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos. As três doses demonstraram eficácia clínica, sem produção de efeitos adversos. A concentração plasmática da fenilbutazona e da oxifembutazona foi diretamente proporcional à dose aplicada, entretanto o aumento da dose não aumentou a eficácia, haja vista que não houve diferença entre os tratamentos com fenilbutazona na redução do grau de claudicação / Horses present high predisposition to lesions in the locomotor system and consequent development of inflammatory and pain responses. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone is one of the most used drugs in the treatment of inflammation and musculoskeletal pain in horses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of single intravenous administration of phenylbutazone in doses of 2.2, 4.4 or 16.6 mg/kg in horses submitted to experimental reversible lameness induced by two screws attached to horseshoe and adjusted to exert solar pressure and cause discomfort and controlled lameness. By this model, we studied plasma concentration of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone and clinical response of six adult healthy horses submitted to three doses of phenylbutazone in an interval of seven days. Screws were tightened and adjusted to produce compression of the sole and induce lameness of third or fourth degree, according to the AAEP scale, staying in place for 24 hours. We have assessed lameness degree, heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, bowel sounds, plasma concentration of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone, and hematological and biochemical parameters. All three doses of phenylbutazone demonstrated clinical efficacy without producing adverse effects. Plasma concentration of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone was directly proportional to the applied dose, however the increase of dose did not increase its efficiency, since there was no difference between treatments with phenylbutazone in the reduction of the degree of lameness.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-03-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:48:07Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 menarim_bc_me_botfmvz.pdf: 322994 bytes, checksum: 061ca67256aa286109bdc9976c3cf3c3 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a caracterização das alterações radiográficas na articulação metacarpofalângica de cavalos que desenvolvem a modalidade de Três Tambores. Foram utilizados 30 animais oriundos dos Estados de São Paulo e Paraná, que participam desta modalidade e ao exame clínico apresentaram claudicação pós-flexão. Ao exame clínico foi observado que 13,3% (n=4) apresentaram claudicação espontânea (CE) e os demais somente após a flexão forçada. Entre os animais considerados foi constatada predominância de claudicação de grau II no membro anterior direito (MAD) e de grau I no membro anterior esquerdo (MAE). Ao exame radiográfico constatouse que 3,3% (n=1) não apresentaram anormalidades radiográficas. Dentre os demais animais observou-se incidência de: sesamoidite (S) (70%), havendo predominância de apresentação nos sesamóides laterais dos MAD; sinovite vilonodular (SV) (53,3%), com prevalência de apresentação dorsal de grau leve no MAE; osteoartrite (OA) (36%) prevalecendo formação de osteófito na face medial da falange proximal em MAD/MAE; osteocondrite dissecante (OCD) (13,3%) com predomínio de apresentação de fragmentos oriundos da porção dorsal proximal da crista sagital mediana em ambos os membros; capsulite (C) (13,3%) prevalente no MAE e edema de tecidos moles (ETM) (6,6%) distribuídos igualmente em ambos os membros. Esta modalidade de diagnóstico por imagem, apesar de bastante estabelecida, necessita de complementos do exame ultrasonográfico, no entanto proporcionou a criação de referências para Veterinários que trabalhem com claudicação em cavalos de Três Tambores. / The objective of this study was to determine the characterization of radiographic abnormalities at the metacarpophalangeal joint of Barrel Race horses. Thirty barrel race horses presenting lameness after joint forced flexion, originated from the states of São Paulo and Paraná were submitted into this study. At the clinical examination it was observed that 13,3% (n=4) exhibited spontaneous lameness (CE) and the other horses only after forced flexion. It was observed prevalence of grade II lameness from the right forelimb (MAD) and grade I lameness from the left forelimb (MAE). By the radiographic examination it was observed that 3,3% (n=1) did not show radiographic changes. Among the other horses, it was observed the following incidence: sesamoiditis (S) (70%), with predominance of presentation in the lateral sesamoid bones of the MAD; vilonodular synovitis (VS) (53,3%), with presentation prevalence at the proximal dorsal surface in the MAE; osteoarthritis (OA) (36%), exhibiting prevalence of osteophyte formation in the medial surface of the proximal falanx in MAD/MAE; osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) (13,3%) predominating presentation of osteochondral fragments originated of the dorsal proximal surface of the sagital ridge in both forelimbs; capsulitis (C) (13,3%) prevalent in the MAE and soft tissue edema (STE) (6,6%) equally distributed in both forelimbs. The radiographic examination, despite being very established and need complementary data from ultrasonographic examination, promoted the creation of a small database useful as a reference for Barrel Racing horse Veterinarians.

Orientador: Ana Liz Garcia Alves / Banca: José Luiz de Mello Nicoletti / Banca: Raquel Yvonne Arantes Baccarin / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da termografia e ultra-sonografia no diagnóstico das lesões toracolombares em eqüinos atletas da raça Quarto de Milha e associar os diferentes tipos de lesões à modalidade atlética desenvolvida. Foram utilizados 24 animais admitidos no Serviço de Cirurgia de Grandes Animais da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - UNESP - Botucatu com queixa de lombalgia. Estes animais foram submetidos a exame físico para confirmar a existência de alteração toracolombar e então aos exames termográfico e ultra-sonográfico. O exame termográfico foi utilizado para o mapeamento das áreas lesadas da região e a ultra-sonografia para a caracterização das lesões. As lesões encontradas foram a desmite supraespinhosa, desmite interespinhosa, osteoartrite intervertebral dorsal e síndrome dos processos espinhosos ("kissing spines"). Foi constatada a existência de relação entre o tipo de atividade exercida pelo animal com o tipo de lesão encontrado. Nos animais que desempenhavam prova dos três tambores houve um predomínio de lesões na região torácica caudal, toracolombar e lombar cranial, sendo a osteoartrite intervertebral e a desmite interespinhosa as afecções mais encontradas. Nos animais de apartação observou-se a maioria das lesões na região lombar caudal, sendo predominantes a osteoartrite intervertebral e a desmite supraespinhosa. Já nos animais de rédeas o local preferencial de lesão foi a região média lombar, com predomínio de osteoartrites intervertebrais, desmites supraespinhosas e miosites. A termografia associada à ultra-sonografia se mostraram eficientes no diagnóstico das lesões toracolombares destes eqüinos. / Abstract: The objective of this study was to appreciate the efficacy of thermography and ultrassonography for toracolombar lesions diagnostic in athletic American Quarter Horse and associate this to the different kinds of athletic modalities. Was used 24 animals accepted in Cirurgia de Grandes Animais service of the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - UNESP - Botucatu with lombalgy report. Those animals was submitted to a physical exam to confirm the toracolombar pain existence and so, to the thermographic and ultrassonographic exams. The thermographic exam was performed for mapping the lesioned areas and the ultrassonographic exam, for the characterization of this lesions. After the exams, supraspinal desmitis, interspinal desmitis, dorsal invertebral osteoarthritis and spinous processes impingement (kissing spines) was found. The relation between the modality of athletic activity performed by the animal and the type of lesion ranged was verify. The barrel race horses presents prevalence of lesions in thoracic caudal, toracolombar and lumbar cranial regions and the invertebral osteoarthritis and interspinal desmitis was the prevalence on affections. In cutting horses, was verify that the major part of lesions was localized on caudal lumbar region with the prevalence of invertebral osteoartrite and supraspinal desmitis. In reining animals the prevalence of lesions was in medial lombar region, where invertebral osteoartrite, supraspinal desmitis and miositis was verify with constancy. The thermography in association with ultrassonography shows efficacy in toracolombar injuries diagnoses for this horses. / Mestre