IACUC Learning Module - Cattle | Previous Next |
| DIETARY CHANGES WHICH MUST BE GRADUAL |
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To ensure that feed composition is appropriate for the species, the National Research Council (NRC) guidelines must be observed.
All species are sensitive to abrupt diet changes. When necessary, changes should be gradually introduced in small, incremental amounts.
Each and every animal must be offered feed and water each day. Any changes in feeding or drinking behavior needs to be immediately reported to the unit supervisor!
Feeders and water sources must be designed to allow easy access for all animals in a particular pen or grouping. Feeders and water containers must be routinely cleaned and kept free of sharp edges or exposed nails which might injure the animals.
Feed in unopened bags must be stored off the floor, on either shelves or pallets; open bags of feed are to be placed in plastic containers with lids and labeled. Compounds such as paint, pour-on insecticides, or antifreeze, which are toxic MUST NOT be kept in feed storage areas.Observation of Animals
A healthy animal will be alert. A sick animals will look depressed, with ears dropping slightly, the head a little lower than normal, the feet perhaps a bit closer together and the back may be arched upwards.
| Common signs of an ill or injured animal |
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| Emergency Veterinary Care | ||
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| UAC veterinarians provide 24 hour emergency veterinary coverage for animals in UAC facilities. | ||
| At the Farms | In the event of a veterinary emergency contact Dr. Peder Cuneo Office: 621-2356x19, E-mail cuneo@u.arizona.edu | |
| Voice or Digital Pager: 291-1993 You can leave a detailed message or contact this number, after 3 beeps push your return number and hang up. This pager works anyplace in Arizona. | ||
| If Dr Cuneo is unable to respond, emergency services will be provided by the local veterinary practitioner. | ||
| LD Shamis | 744-1909 (primarily equine, surgical facilities) | |
| Clayton Wengert | 620-0634/429-3197 (all large animals) | |
| Each and every animal must be observed at least once a day and some situations require more frequent checking. Any problems should be reported as soon as possible to the unit supervisor.
Animals on range must be assured continuity of feed and water as well as routine observation to assure that health problems will be corrected in a timely manner. |
Situations Needing Frequent Observation
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Veterinary care is available 24 hours
a day and MUST be provided as soon as possible. If you notice a sick or injured animal, immediately call the unit supervisor and the veterinarian. At the farms, the names and phone numbers of several approved veterinarians are posted at all farm buildings should Dr Cuneo not be available. Any unusual animal behavior should be reported, since it might indicate illness or injury. After making the initial calls to the unit supervisor and veterinarian, see if the injured or ill animal can easily be moved and separated from the healthy herdmates. If not easily moved, make certain the other animals stay away and do not bother the injured or ill animal. |
Don't make a problem worse by trying to move an animal with inadequate equipment or personnel. Above all else, do no harm!
Animals found dead should be necropsied and examined by a veterinarian. At the farms, always notify Dr Cuneo and see if he can schedule a post mortem examination.Animal I.D.
Each animal should have a permanent and individual I.D. number. Methods can vary but include: freeze or heat brand, tag, collar, or permanent color dye.
Individual animal records should include: birthdate, sex, pedigree, origin, and location of pen or pasture. It depends on the research or teaching project, but records of production values, veterinary care and nutritional history may also be necessary.Floor Area
Federal law requires that EACH ANIMAL HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO ALLOW FOR NORMAL POSTURAL MOVEMENTS no matter what might be the production goals or experimental constraints (enough space to lie down, get up, and stand without crouching). There are published guidelines for space which vary according to species, size or weight, and the special needs of the experiment. Consult with the veterinarian.
Waste
Waste needs to be removed as often as necessary to keep animals dry, and living in clean, healthful surroundings. Animals should not be sprayed with hoses used to clean the pens unless you are intentionally providing relief from hot temperatures, or you are intentionally bathing the animal.
To keep down the volume of wastes in pastures, and thereby to reduce the parasite load, pastures should be rotated as to use. When pastures are vacant, the normal forces of nature degrade the animal waste into soil.Vermin
Flies, lice, mites, ticks and rodents are problems and need to be controlled.
Flies are a particular problem in the summer. Keep manure cleaned up and make sure water doesn't drip to attract breeding insects. Use only approved pesticides and obey withholding time periods to avoid illegal residues.Air
Indoor animals must have sufficient ventilation. The general rule is that if you feel uncomfortable when you FIRST enter the area, there IS a ventilation problem. Remember, your nose quickly adapts to odors so an assessment must be made in the first few seconds of entering an area. The gases which cause the most serious problems include: NH4, HS, CO2, CH4 and dust.
Even during the hot summer months, drafts should be avoided for newborn or sick animals.Temperature
Temperature extremes are a serious problem in Arizona. There should be a written, planned response to emergency weather conditions for all animals. Ask the unit supervisor where copies of this plan are kept in the office.
Remember that temperature, humidity and ventilation work together and that all factors need to be considered when evaluating the stress to an animal.
Every day, be certain to monitor equipment such as heaters, coolers, misters, etc. (It doesn't do any good to have a mist system if the pipes are clogged shut!)Handling
Stalls or crates should be placed to allow animals to see and hear other animals of the same species.
Each species responds differently to being handled, know the normal and abnormal behaviors for your species. Plan ahead. Have proper equipment for handling animals and make sure it works before you use it. Check lanes, fences and chutes before moving animals. Try for minimum restraint time and use minimum force to move animals. Be confident and in control. Avoid yelling, loud noises and do not routinely use electric prods.
More animals are injured from improper handling than from any disease outbreak!Transport
Do not ship sick and healthy animals together. Use non-slip flooring and have proper ventilation. Rough handling and crowding of animals results in injury. Animals should be checked during transport for heat stress.
Farm animals are covered under interstate transport regulations and may require health certificates. Intrastate movement may be covered by brand inspection or other regulations. Contact the Farm Animal Veterinarian if you have any questions.Drug Use
Observe FDA withdrawal times to prevent contamination of animal products by drugs. Follow label directions!
NO EXTRA LABEL DRUG USE! Consult the veterinarian so that drugs will be used correctly and all rules will be observed.
New drug investigations require absolute observance of the approved protocol. No deviations are allowed.Surgery
All surgical procedures must be performed by a qualified veterinarian or scientist with advanced training.
The laws currently allow properly trained animal handlers and farm personnel to perform "routine husbandry" procedures such as: feet trimming; tail docking; castration and dehorning of young (weaning age) cattle, sheep and goats; vaccinations and parasite treatments. An animal handler is considered to be "properly trained" when the veterinarian and the unit supervisor agree that the handler has had sufficient one-on-one training to perform the procedure. Please notice that dehorning and castration of animals older than the weaning age require the veterinarian's supervision. No matter the species, any castration which requires penetration of the abdominal cavity (undescended testicle or cryptorchid) must be performed by the veterinarian.
| No matter who performs a surgery or where a survival surgery is performed, aseptic techniques must be observed. At minimum, the site must be free of hair, cleaned with a surgical scrub solution and sterile instruments must be used. |
If using a cold solution sterilant (such as novalsan), be certain to allow adequate time for the instruments to be immersed in the sterilant solution. Read the directions, most solutions require 10-20 minutes of contact before the item is sterilized. Also be certain to change the solution if contaminated with blood, tissue or dirt.
To reduce the likelihood of regurgitation and aspiration, most adult ruminants are fasted prior to surgery for 12-24 hours.
Be certain to clearly mark animals which are to be fasted, and be certain to
follow up and give feed if for some reason the surgery is canceled.Anesthesia
Because there are tremendous species differences in response to anesthesia, contact the veterinarian before you submit your protocol to review anesthetic procedures and dosages.
Important Link: IACUC Approved Analgesics, Anesthetics & Sedatives
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