Updates on swine euthanasia,

concern reporting

& ISU research

Suzanne Millman, PhD

Associate Professor, Animal Welfare

Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine

Biomedical Sciences,

College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University

Setting the standards for euthanasia

AVMA Panel on Euthanasia “good death”

Painless

Does not involve fear

or distress

Other practical

considerations:

Worker safety

Aesthetics,

acceptability

Technical skills,

reliability

Cost, including carcass

disposal

Dr. Jan Shearer, euthanasia

Training workshop ISU 2009

Peer-reviewed research for

mechanical methods Technique age Latency

paddling

Latency

death

Return to

sensibility

Reference

Exsang 4 wks

(n=5)

NA 213s (RR)

5 mn (HR)

0% Blackmore

et al 1981

Gunshot &

exsang

240 kg sow

(n=1)

120s NA 0% Blackmore

et al 1995

HP water &

exsang

90 kg

(n=6)

62s 20s (HR) 0% Schatzmann

et al 1991

Non-penetr

Captive bolt

7-8 wks

(n=6)

NA 4h+ NA (anesth) Finnie et al

2003

Pneumatic

NP captive

bolt

<24h

(n=99)

125s 409s (HR) 13% Widowski

2008

Blunt force

trauma

<24h

(n=99)

68s 171s (HR) 0% Widowski

2008

Validation of captive bolt

technology as a single step

euthanasia method for swine

Millman S, Woods J, Hill J, Schwartz K,

Brooks R, Main R, Grandin T

Evaluation of captive bolt as killing method

for on-farm euthanasia – anesthetized pigs

Brain trauma scores

were consistent with

instantaneous loss of

consciousness

Secondary step

(exsanguination) was

necessary for 4 pigs

Non-penetrating head

was too powerful

Woods, J, Hill, J., Millman, S.T., Schwartz, K., Grandin, T., Main, R., NPB project

Live animal trials

7 weight classes of pig

Suckler, Weaner, Nursery, Grower, Market,

Breeding (gilts/young boars), Mature (>500lbs)

Non-penetrating head used for sucklers and

weaners.

3 bolt lengths and different cartridges were

used for captive bolt pistol for 5 larger

weights

10 pigs were euthanized by each stockperson

3 stockpeople for each weight class (30 pigs)

Total 210 pigs Millman, S.T., Woods, J, Hill, J., Schwartz, K., Brooks, R, NPB project

Results

8/210 pigs (3.8%) required a second shot

5 mature boars, weight classes 6&7 (17%)

4 were euthanized by same stockperson,

faulty placement

Stockman most often performing task had

100% success – snared all boars

2 mature sows, weight classes 6&7 (7%)

Both euthanized by same stockperson, faulty

placement due to sow movement, not flush

with head

1 suckler (faulty cartridge)

Median latency to cease movement

(minutes)

Weight Minimum Maximum

suckler 1:10 4:24

weaner 1:06 5:35

nursery 1:08 2:46

grower 1:05 6:52

market 1:08 8:45

breeding 1:53 10:40

Median latency to death – no pulse

detected (minutes)

Weight Minimum Maximum

suckler 2:12 6:50

weaner 1:54 8:21

nursery 1:31 6:47

grower 1:20 5:40

market 1:18 4:50

breeding 3:07 10:36

Take home messages

Our research results indicate that captive bolt

was an effective single stage euthanasia

method for 5 of the weight classes of pig

Mature sows and boars remain the most

difficult class for mechanical euthanasia.

Placement and angle is important.

Snaring was associated with greater success

Individual differences betweens stockpeople

likely due to experience/practice

Non-penetrating Captive Bolt

The Zephyr

Developed and approved by

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture for

stunning rabbits in abattoirs

Similar to device approved for

euthanasia of poultry in the UK

Pneumatic nailer gun

redesigned and fitted with a

nylon head and powered by

a portable air compressor

set to 120 PSI

Modified Zephyr project Teresa Casey, MS student, PI: Dr. Tina Widowski, UoGuelph

Effectiveness of the

modified Zephyr on

neonatal piglets (<72

hrs) Jan-February 2010, 100 piglets

completed

Arkell Research Station- Guelph

20 piglets

2 stock people

Iowa State University- Ames, IA

Elite Pork Products

80 piglets

8 stock people

Effectiveness of non-penetrating captive bolt (Zephyr) and restraint for euthanasia of

piglets from birth to 9 kg. Widowski, Millman, Lawliss. National Pork Board project

Figure 1. Stock person averages. Mean (± SEM) duration of leg movements and heart beat were calculated for each group of 10 piglets euthanized by an individual stock person. Ten stock people were compared. Time was recorded in seconds starting at the firing of the first shot of the Zephyr.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Tim

e (

s)

Stock Person ID

Stock Person Averages

End Leg Movements

End Heart Beat

Questionnaire

All 10 stock people completed individual

questionnaire after euthanizing 10 piglets with

Zephyr

Assess background in swine industry and

euthanasia experience

Determine individual opinions of Zephyr

effectiveness

Ten point scale 1=ineffective : 10= highly

effective

Average rating: 8.7 ± 1.6

Evaluation of rate of administration

of CO2 and a CO2:Argon gas

mixture for euthanasia of suckling

and nursery piglets

Sadler, L., Hagen, C., Wang, C.,

& Millman S.

National Pork Board Project #09-197

17

Latency to loss of posture

(weaned piglets)

0

1

2

3

4

5

Slow Medium Fast Prefill

Min

ute

s

100% CO2 50:50 CO2:Argon

b b

a

c

I

I

II

III

Superscripts indicate differences between flow rates, within gas type, P < 0.05

Minute values are raw means

Statistical difference determined from the Univarate product-limit estimation of

the survival curves

18

Age effects on latency to loss of

posture (P<0.001)

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Slow Medium Fast Prefill

Min

ute

s

100% CO2

Weaned Neonate

19

Take home messages

The addition of Argon at 50% of gas volume

slowed response times, without decreasing incidence

of irritation or distress

Argon at different concentrations (lower CO2

concentrations) may result in less distress

100% CO2 @ 50% of chamber volume per minute is our

current recommendation

Pre-fill works just as well or slightly better

Distress is still observed

When utilizing CO2 or 50:50 CO2:Argon, neonate piglets

succumbed to the gases faster than weaned piglets

Future directions in euthanasia

research at ISU

Mechanical methods

Restraint of piglets needed for caretaker

safety

Gas methods (USDA AFRI grants)

Why do some piglets appear resistant to gas

euthanasia techniques?

Can we find a gas or gas mixture that is not

aversive to piglets?

What euthanasia technologies are preferred

by caretakers performing the task and by the

general public/consumers of pork?

Developing validated and

objective industry-ready tools to

assess joint pain manifestation

and lameness in the sow A. K. Johnson1, L. A. Karriker1, S. T. Millman1, J. Coetzee2 and K.

J. Stalder1

1Iowa State University, Department of Animal Sciences 2Kansas State University

Cameras to

capture motion

2. Embedded force plate system 1. Home

pens

3. Walking

race

4. GaitFour

Sow Lameness Detection System

Measures weight of each

hoof independently

Coated with non-slip epoxy

Accurate to 0.45 kg (1 lb.)

Fits standard gestation /

farrowing stall

SFPMS recording software

Integrate into feed

management programs

Sows were injected in the distal interphangeal joint space with 10mg

amphotericin B

Weight placed on the injected hoof went down compared to

baseline and resolution (P < 0.05)

Wei

gh

t /

ho

of,

kg

Weig

ht

/ h

oo

f, k

g

Wei

gh

t /

ho

of,

kg

Wei

gh

t /

ho

of,

kg

Findings

Preliminary results indicate that the

embedded force plate is sensitive enough to

detect weight bearing differences between

treated and untreated hooves in the sow

Thus, work presented today has begun to

address behavioral kinematics whilst walking

and standing when sows are experiencing

differing levels of lameness pain

NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-

INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAID)

TO MITIGATE PAIN IN LAME

SOWS

Kathleen Tapper,1 Anna Johnson,2 Locke Karriker,1 Kenneth Stalder,2

Johann Coetzee,3 Rebecca Parsons,1 and Suzanne Millman1*

1 Iowa State University 1600 S 16th, Ames, IA 50011, USA; 2 Kansas State

University College of Veterinary Medicine 1800 Denison Ave., Manhattan,

KS 66506, USA

Pressure Algometry

PA: Wagner Force Ten™ FDX 50 Compact Digital

Force Gage, Wagner Instruments, CT, USA

1 cm2 flat rubber tip

Application rate = 1 kgf/second (2.2 lbf/second)

Ceiling/max force = 10 kgf (22 lbf)

Measures taken at 3 landmarks on each hind

limb in randomized sequence, triplicate

Cannon= Middle of the cannon (non-painful

control site)

Outer = ½ inch (1.3 cm) above the coronary

band on the outer/lateral claw

Inner = ½ inch (1.3 cm) above the coronary

band on the inner/medial claw.

OUTER INNER CANNON OUTER INNER CANNON

DAY-1 DAY+1

Lame Hind Leg 7.70 7.44 6.51 1.14 1.57 3.61

Sound Hind Leg 7.44 7.78 6.93 7.23 8.18 7.67

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

Pre

ss

ure

Alg

om

etr

y M

NT

(k

gf)

** *

**

* P < 0.01; ** P < 0.001

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

DAY +1 DAY +6 DAY +6 DAY +6

Control SS FM

MN

T (

kg

f)

LAME

SOUND

* b * b * b * a

NSAIDs administered Day+2 to Day+5

a-b Treatments and trial days without a common superscript differ (P < 0.05)

* Denotes differences between sound and lame leg (P < 0.05)

Study Conclusions

1. Evaluate effectiveness of sodium salicylate (SS) to

mitigate pain associated with lameness in sows.

No positive effect or reduction in pain as tested

with pressure algometry

2. Evaluate effectiveness of flunixin meglumine

(Banamine®) (FM) to mitigate pain associated with

lameness in sows.

No positive effect or reduction in pain as tested

with pressure algometry

Acknowledgements

ISU Animal Welfare Researcher Team:

Dr. Anna Johnson, Dr. Locke Karriker, Dr. Hans

Coetzee, Dr. Ken Stalder

Becky Parsons, Ray Brooks,

Graduate student team

Larry Sadler (PhD), Monique Pairis (PhD),

Jennifer Woods (MS), Katie Tapper (MS)

National Pork Board, Iowa Pork Producers

Association, IHLAC, USDA-AFRI

University of Guelph (Dr. Widowski)

Value Added Science & Technology (V-AST)

Murphy Brown LLC – IA & MO

Elite Pork Products

Bunzle Processor Division