Developing a model to promote caretaker confidence and communication in treatment decisions for dairy cattle through case studies

The significant role of dairy caretakers in maintaining animal welfare on dairy farms emphasizes the necessity of appropriate training and education to ensure the implementation of practices that promote good animal welfare. This study explored the potential of case-based learning as a novel approach to training for dairy caretakers by investigating dairy caretakers' perspectives on case study discussions. Additionally, this study sought to understand thoughts and feelings of caretakers during case study discussions to help identify information that caretakers use to evaluate cases and make decisions. Two case studies were developed and presented to participants, and thematic analysis of case study discussion transcripts was performed. Pre- and post-training questionnaires for 21 caretakers (n = 21) were summarized. The study found that caretaker reactions to case studies were generally positive. Thematic analysis revealed that caretakers use previous knowledge to make treatment decisions for cattle, and valued discussion with coworkers. The results of this study suggest the need for further investigation into the use of case studies and other activities that provide opportunities for critical thinking as training opportunities on dairy farms.

Veterinarians' perspectives of pain, treatment, and diagnostics for bovine respiratory disease in preweaned dairy calves

Background

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in preweaned dairy calves. Early detection and therefore treatment are essential to minimize animal welfare concerns, particularly given that recent research also demonstrates that BRD is painful. Veterinarians are essential to ensuring calves with BRD receive appropriate treatment, but little to no research exists regarding veterinarians' perspectives about BRD detection and treatment in dairy calves. This is a critical step to determine education and outreach needs that can target BRD treatment to improve calf welfare. Thus, the objectives of the current study were to describe US veterinarians' current detection methods and treatment practices for BRD in preweaned dairy calves, understand veterinarians' rationale for treatment decisions, and identify gaps in knowledge regarding treatment and management of calf BRD.

Methods

An online survey was sent to two veterinarian-focused list-serves and newsletter. Final responses (n = 47) were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative analyses.

Results

On-farm necropsy was the diagnostic tool most considered "extremely important" (26, 55.3%). All veterinarians indicated that BRD was at least mildly painful. However, only 53% of veterinarians (n = 25) assess pain in preweaned calves with BRD in order to make treatment decisions. Furthermore, of the veterinarians that assessed pain, 40% (n = 10) reported that their knowledge of pain assessment and treatment was adequate, but most (n = 24) considered a calf's pain-level at least "moderately important" to make BRD treatment decisions. The most important ancillary therapy for antimicrobials were NSAIDs (21, 44.7%). The ancillary therapy most often considered "extremely important" for treating BRD was NSAIDs. Qualitative analysis identified the following as factors that influenced veterinarians' willingness to provide analgesia: the farm's willingness to administer drugs, clinical signs, perceived severity of pain, the need for anti-inflammatories, and the presence of fever and comorbidities.

Discussion

This study included a small sample size and an extremely low response rate; results should therefore be interpreted with caution. Despite this limitation, important gaps in knowledge were identified, including pain assessment and consideration when making treatment decisions, and diagnostic tools. Addressing these needs in future research and outreach efforts could help ensure appropriate and timely treatment of calf BRD, including pain mitigation.

Frequency of disagreements between producers and veterinarians about pain management in cattle

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Cattle producers and veterinarians engage in conversations about pain mitigation.

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Differences in opinion are infrequent and do not appear to affect their relationships.

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Both producers and veterinarians rely on personal experiences to identify pain in cattle.

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There is an opportunity to develop educational programs regarding pain management decisions.

Pain management is a key element of ensuring animal welfare. Although the opinions of both producers and veterinarians affect decisions about the use of pain mitigation on cattle operations, little is known about how they communicate about this topic. Given the importance of a veterinary-client-patient relationship for developing pain mitigation protocols, understanding the communication between veterinarians and producers is key to the implementation of robust, industry-wide pain management protocols. The objectives of this survey were to understand how producers and veterinarians may respond to disagreements about pain mitigation and to determine where respondents obtain their knowledge about pain recognition and treatment. Results presented herein are part of a larger study previously described. An online survey was distributed to 6 cattle industry groups. Surveys that were >80% complete were included for analysis (n = 1,066). Approximately half of the respondents identified as producers (497, 46.6%) and half as veterinarians (569, 53.4%). The majority of producers believed that disagreements about the use of pain management in cattle never affected their relationship with their veterinarians (349, 70.2%). The veterinarian respondents indicated more disagreements, although the frequency was relatively low, with 43.9% (250) indicated having a disagreement less than once a year. Most producers and veterinarians indicated they were either “extremely unlikely” or “somewhat unlikely” to dissolve the relationship completely if disagreements about pain management arose (veterinarians: 398/569, 70%; producers: 294/497, 59.1%). Veterinarians and producers reported gaining their knowledge about pain recognition from a variety of sources including personal experience and continuing education opportunities. Disagreements about pain mitigation occurred infrequently; however, this could be due to few discussions about pain management in general. These results indicated that there is opportunity for veterinarians to engage with their producers in more discussions about pain management.

Perceptions of animal welfare and animal welfare curricula offered for undergraduate and graduate students in animal science departments in the United States

While perceptions of animal welfare have been assessed in veterinary students and students internationally, there remains a gap in research concerning undergraduate and graduate student perspectives of animal welfare in animal science programs at colleges and universities across the United States. A survey was developed to assess current animal science student perspectives of the importance of animal welfare as part of their education, their knowledge of available educational opportunities, and resources they think should be included in animal welfare curricula. An online survey was distributed to a national listserv of university administrators of animal science programs in the United States. A total of 624 survey responses were statistically summarized. Most respondents were undergraduate students (78.0%, n = 487), between the ages of 18 and 24 (85.9%, n = 536), and female (86.1%, n = 537). Results indicated that despite most respondents not taking an animal welfare course previously (60.7%, n = 379), most students strongly agreed that the inclusion of an animal welfare course is an important part of the animal science curriculum (72.0%, n = 449), that animal welfare is an important component of their education (63.1%, n = 394), and that animal welfare courses would be helpful for their future careers (70.0%, n = 437). When asked what attributes would be most important in an animal welfare class, students identified many different types of information and resources. The majority of respondents answered that discussing current hot topics in animal welfare (76.1%, n = 475), ethical discussions (76.0%, n = 474), and practical, applied questions (75.3%, n = 470) were important course components. Suggestions for future research include investigating how animal science student perceptions change before and after taking an animal welfare course and exploring opportunities to expand formal welfare education in animal science departments. Inclusion of animal welfare into the curriculum is critical as many of the students currently enrolled in animal science departments will become the future stakeholders in animal-focused industries.

Characterization of Fed Cattle Mobility during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant consequences on cattle slaughter capacity in the United States. Although industry stakeholders implemented strategies to minimize cattle welfare impacts of increased weights, days on feed (DOF), and increasing temperatures, there were concerns that mobility challenges would be observed at slaughter facilities. The objectives of this study were to characterize mobility in fed cattle during this recovery period and to identify factors impacting mobility. A total of 158 groups of cattle (15,388 animals) from one slaughter facility were included in the study. A 4-point mobility scoring system was used to assess cattle mobility. Cattle at the facility with normal mobility scores were reduced from the historical average of 96.19% to 74.55%. No increase in highly elevated mobility scores was observed. Mobility was impacted by weight, temperature humidity index (THI), distance hauled, sex, and DOF, with results differing by mobility category. Weather was a key contributor to mobility challenges; the relative risk of observing an elevated mobility score was 45.76% greater when the THI changed from No Stress to Mild Stress. Despite the challenges that the industry faced during this period, efforts to minimize negative effects on cattle welfare by enhanced focus on low-stress handling were effective.

Dairy Caretaker Perspectives on Performing Euthanasia as an Essential Component of Their Job

The objectives of this study were to identify caretakers' perceptions and stressors related to performing on-farm euthanasia as well as potential ideas for intervention strategies to alleviate negative effects of performing euthanasia on caretaker well-being. Additionally, we aimed to determine how euthanasia methods, procedures, and training correlate with dairy caretakers' attitudes toward performing on-farm euthanasia and their job satisfaction and sense of well-being. Thirty-eight dairy caretakers (19 workers, 15 supervisors, 3 owners, 1 veterinarian) participated in focus groups or interviews conducted and recorded on five Northern Colorado dairies. Thematic analysis of focus group and interview transcripts revealed seven recurring themes. Variation in available training and euthanasia protocols among dairy farms was evident. There was a lack of awareness regarding available mental health resources and little communication between farm personnel about euthanasia-related stress. Training was correlated with caretaker knowledge about euthanasia procedures and the language used to refer to euthanasia. Human-animal bonds and empathy toward animals were evident in participants regardless of training, job position, or dairy experience. Interventions such as training programs, mental health resources, and other support systems should be tested for effectiveness in addressing euthanasia-related stressors, improving euthanasia decision-making and practice, and increasing animal wellbeing on dairy farms.

Intraobserver and interobserver reliability of mud scoring systems for use in cattle at slaughter

At slaughter plants, live cattle are often scored for mud coverage as mud on hides can impact food safety and drives decisions regarding interventions during processing. Currently, there is no standardized method utilized to assess mud coverage. The aim of this study was to determine the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of 3, 4, and 5 point mud scoring systems. Beef cattle (n = 110) were videotaped during movement to holding pens upon arrival at a commercial slaughter facility. Five scorers were assigned to a 3, 4, or 5 point scoring system (n = 15), reviewed the video and assigned the cattle a mud score. A multi-rater weighted kappa analysis was used to determine intraobserver and interobserver reliability for each system. Although all scorers in the 3 point analysis and one scorer each for the 4 and 5 point analysis demonstrated moderate intraobserver reliability, all interobserver reliability kappas were poor (kappa ≤0.12). Further exploration to develop a suitable system that is repeatable is recommended.