The physical state and plasma biochemical profile of young calves on arrival at a slaughter plant

Authors: Bruce RA, Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ, Todd SE, Gregory NG, Ward RN
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 49, Issue 4, pp 142-149, Aug 2001
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Animal welfare, Biochemistry/chemistry, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Slaughter, Stress, Transport
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: AIM: To determine the welfare of calves arriving at a slaughter plant by assessing their physical state and plasma biochemical profile.
METHODS: Calves (n=7,169) aged 4-10 days, were examined immediately after they were unloaded from trucks (n=20) and categorised on physical grounds as being in an `unacceptable`, `marginal` or `acceptable` state. `Unacceptable` calves were lying down, unable to walk, extremely weak or seriously injured. `Marginal` calves had a wet umbilicus, were hollow sided, apparently immature, or weak and slow and unsteady on their feet. `Acceptable` calves were strong, walked freely, round-sided, bright and alert and had a dry umbilicus. After unloading, 27 `unacceptable`, 306 `marginal` and 289 `acceptable` calves were weighed, examined clinically and a blood sample was taken from each. A second blood sample was taken from 118 of these calves, 12-15 hours later. The packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total plasma proteins (TPP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate were measured.
RESULTS: Only 27 of the 7,169 calves examined (0.4%) were categorised as being in an `unacceptable` state on arrival and these were euthanased shortly after unloading. Generally, the plasma biochemical profiles of the `acceptable` calves were similar to those of `marginal` animals. However the glucose concentration of `marginal` calves was lower than that of `acceptable` calves, suggesting that they had lower energy reserves. After 12-15 h in lairage, plasma glucose concentration decreased and the BHB concentration increased in both `acceptable` and `marginal` calves compared with concentrations measured on arrival.
CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of calves presented for slaughter in an `unacceptable` state was small (0.4%). However, 4% of calves were classified as `marginal` and failed to meet all the requirements of the code of recommendations and minimum standards governing the welfare of young calves in New Zealand. The categorisation of calves by a physical assessment was supported by results of plasma biochemistry. As a result, plasma biochemical profiles are considered unnecessary for making decisions regarding the welfare status of calves arriving at a slaughter plant; an assessment of their physical state is sufficient.
KEY WORDS: Calves, slaughter, welfare, glucose, urea.

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