Electroencephalograms and electrocardiograms in young bulls following upper cervical vertebrae-to-brisket stunning

Authors: Devine CE, Cook CJ, Gilbert KV, Day AM, Tavener A
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 39, Issue 4, pp 121-125, Dec 1991
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Animal welfare, Circulatory system/haematology, Diagnostic procedures, Animal handling, Nervous system/neurology, Slaughter
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Passing an electric current (50 Hz, 400 V open circuit, current limited to 1.5 A) from two electrodes acting as a common single electrode set applied on each side of the dorsal surface of the neck (cervical vertebrae C2 to C5 region) to another placed on the brisket of young bulls causes fibrillation of the cardiac muscle, does not induce epileptiform changes in the electroencephalogram, and produces a state of body rigidity. Passing the same electric current through the same neck electrodes, now acting as two separate electrodes, without the brisket electrode, does induce epileptiform activity similar to that seen with head-only stunning, does not fibrillate the heart, and produces a state of limb rigidity lasting for some time after the stun. Given that the presence of epileptiform activity is a criterion for effective electrical stunning and is indicative of insensibility, neck-to-brisket stunning as described here does not appear to be humane.

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