Frequency of dehydration and metabolic depletion in cattle and water buffalo transported from India to a livestock market in Bangladesh
The effects of presumed long distance transport on blood parameters were examined in cattle and water buffalo exported from India to Bangladesh. The aim was to assess the welfare of the animals in terms of the frequency of dehydration, metabolic depletion and muscle injury or activation, when they reached their destination. The physiological indicators were […]
Stress Hormone Responses of Sheep to Food and Water Deprivation at High and Low Ambient Temperatures.
The effects of food and/or water deprivation at different ambient temperatures (7 or 35 ·C) on stress hormone release in sheep (n = 8), were studied to provide background data for research into the effects of road transport. Blood samples were taken from catheterized animals at the start and, at 6h intervals, during 48h tests […]
Repeatability of a skin tent test for dehydration in working horses and donkeys
Dehydration is a serious welfare issue for equines working in developing countries. Risk factors such as high ambient temperature, heavy workload and poor water availability are exacerbated by the traditional belief that provision of water to working animals will reduce their strength or cause colic and muscle cramps. As part of the welfare assessment of […]
Transport of horses for slaughter in Iceland
There is interest in the transportation of horses (Equus caballus) to slaughter and a need to assess the welfare implications of this practice. Forty-six loads of 7–35 horses transported for 0.33 to 3.10 h to a slaughter plant in Iceland were studied. Adults and foals were transported together and then placed in separate pens overnight […]