Journal
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
Volume 122, Issue -, Pages 72-80Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.11.010
Keywords
Animal welfare; Consciousness; DTS; Electromagnetic stun; Humane slaughter; Cattle
Categories
Funding
- Wagstaff Food Services Ltd. Australia
- Meat & Livestock Australia
- Australian Government [P.PIP.0528]
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DTS: Diathermic Syncope (R) (DTS) is a novel system for rendering animals insensible prior to slaughter, utilizing microwave energy to induce a rise in temperature in the brain to a point at which the animal is expected to lose consciousness. During development and optimisation of the system, two trials were carried out utilizing non- anaesthetized adult cattle, to gather data on behavioural outcomes and EEG changes following energy application. In triall, ten cattle received DTS treatments (high energy > 290 kJ, n = 3; low energy < 200 kJ, n = 4; and intermediate 200 < 290 kJ, n = 3), and seven received captive bolt stunning, prior to exsanguination. In trial 2, following improvements to the efficiency of energy delivery, 20 cattle received DTS (200-360 kJ). Post treatment EEG was characterized by seizure-like activity and reductions in 95% spectral edge and median frequencies; with EEG suppression persisting for at least 80 s up to over 4 min post treatment application. Animals showed: Loss of posture, Loss of corneal responses; Loss of withdrawal response (pinprick); Eye staring, not following movement. The animals remained unresponsive to stimuli for up to 4 min post DTS, and behavioural expression of distress was not observed. Seventeen of the 30 animals showed indications of returning reflex responses after 100 s post treatment, suggesting that animals receiving lower energy applications may recover from the stun.
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