386
Views
32
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Scientific Article

Amelioration of electroencephalographic responses to slaughter by non-penetrative captive-bolt stunning after ventral-neck incision in halothane-anaesthetised calves

, , , , &
Pages 96-101 | Received 13 Feb 2008, Accepted 17 Feb 2009, Published online: 16 Feb 2011
 

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the ability of non-penetrative captive-bolt stunning delivered after ventral-neck incision to ameliorate responses to noxious stimulation associated with slaughter by ventral-neck incision in halothane-anaesthetised calves.

METHODS: Seven calves were minimally anaesthetised with halothane, using an established anaesthesia protocol. Electroencephalographic (EEG) indices of cerebrocortical activity were measured in response to ventral-neck incision followed 5 seconds later by non-penetrative captive-bolt stunning. Changes in heart rate and arterial blood pressure were measured and instances of occlusion of the carotid arteries were also noted.

RESULTS: After ventral-neck incision there were periods of an active EEG in some calves, which ceased after non-penetrative captive-bolt stunning in most of the animals. Two calves had periods of active EEG following stunning. Arterial blood pressure decreased signifi cantly after neck incision in all calves, including three with occlusion of the carotid arteries.

CONCLUSIONS: Non-penetrative captive-bolt stunning after ventral-neck incision resulted in the cessation of functional cortical activity in the majority of calves. This procedure prevented the development of cerebrocortical responses to ventral-neck incision, demonstrated elsewhere, which would be painful in conscious animals subjected to this procedure. In addition, instances of carotid arterial occlusion had no significant effect on the decrease in arterial blood pressure.

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Corrin Hulls, Leanne McCracken, Neil Ward, Mike Hogan, and members of the Large Animal Teaching Unit and the Small Animal Production Unit, Massey University, for assistance during the experiment. This study was jointly funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of New Zealand. TJ Gibson was the recipient of a C Alma Baker Postgraduate Scholarship.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 61.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 213.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.