The corneal reflex following captive bolt stunning

Authors: Shaw FD
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 37, Issue 1, pp 43-44, Mar 1989
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Eye/opthalmology, Animal handling, Nervous system/neurology, Clinical examination, Slaughter
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: The absence of the corneal reflex following effective penetrating or non-penetrating (concussive) captive bolt stunning has been documented in both sheep and cattle. There is also some evidence that the presence of the reflex following a stun might be an indicator of a less than ideal stun. Lambooy et al demonstrated the presence of the corneal reflex in two veal calves following concussion stunning with a mushroom head stunner. In both cases the electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern indicated that the calves had not been effectively stunned. Similarly, corneal reflexes were sometimes present in calves stunned by a penetrating captive bolt stunner positioned in the nape of the neck. Again, the EEG indicated that the calves had not been effectively stunned. Schutt-Abraham et al stunned seven sheep with a non-penetrating captive bolt pistol. With four animals there was…

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