Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete Concussion
Penetrating captive bolt (PCB) is widely used for stunning and on-farm dispatch of livestock, yet its efficacy can vary, with the potential for animal welfare compromise. This study investigated the pathophysiology of PCB-induced trauma in horned and polled sheep (<i>Ovis aries</i>), foc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/1/53 |
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| author | Troy John Gibson Anne Lisa Ridler Georgina Limon Christopher Lamb Alun Williams Neville George Gregory |
| author_facet | Troy John Gibson Anne Lisa Ridler Georgina Limon Christopher Lamb Alun Williams Neville George Gregory |
| author_sort | Troy John Gibson |
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| description | Penetrating captive bolt (PCB) is widely used for stunning and on-farm dispatch of livestock, yet its efficacy can vary, with the potential for animal welfare compromise. This study investigated the pathophysiology of PCB-induced trauma in horned and polled sheep (<i>Ovis aries</i>), focusing on factors contributing to incomplete concussion. Thirty-seven (<i>n</i> = 18 horned Scottish blackface and <i>n</i> = 19 polled North Country mule) mature ewes (aged 4–10 years) were shot with PCB with varying cartridge power and PCB modifications, followed by clinical assessment and post-mortem analysis using magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) and gross pathology. The results indicated that damage to the reticular activating system, bolt velocity and penetration depth are crucial for inducing irreversible unconsciousness, with depths less than 37 mm often resulting in incomplete concussion. MRI provided detailed insights into brain injuries, aligning well with gross pathological findings. This study highlights the importance of precise bolt placement and appropriate PCB configurations in ensuring humane outcomes, with MRI proving to be a valuable tool for assessing brain trauma in stunned animals. These findings enhance the understanding of effective stunning techniques and support improved welfare practices in livestock management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d4a37d9561f64d78b4d9cf58c0c67398 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-d4a37d9561f64d78b4d9cf58c0c673982025-01-24T13:52:07ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-01-011215310.3390/vetsci12010053Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete ConcussionTroy John Gibson0Anne Lisa Ridler1Georgina Limon2Christopher Lamb3Alun Williams4Neville George Gregory5Animal Welfare Science and Ethics Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UKSchool of Veterinary Science, Massey University, 4410 Palmerston North, New ZealandThe Pirbright Institute, Woking GU24 0NF, UKIndependent Researchers, UKDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EN, UKIndependent Researchers, UKPenetrating captive bolt (PCB) is widely used for stunning and on-farm dispatch of livestock, yet its efficacy can vary, with the potential for animal welfare compromise. This study investigated the pathophysiology of PCB-induced trauma in horned and polled sheep (<i>Ovis aries</i>), focusing on factors contributing to incomplete concussion. Thirty-seven (<i>n</i> = 18 horned Scottish blackface and <i>n</i> = 19 polled North Country mule) mature ewes (aged 4–10 years) were shot with PCB with varying cartridge power and PCB modifications, followed by clinical assessment and post-mortem analysis using magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) and gross pathology. The results indicated that damage to the reticular activating system, bolt velocity and penetration depth are crucial for inducing irreversible unconsciousness, with depths less than 37 mm often resulting in incomplete concussion. MRI provided detailed insights into brain injuries, aligning well with gross pathological findings. This study highlights the importance of precise bolt placement and appropriate PCB configurations in ensuring humane outcomes, with MRI proving to be a valuable tool for assessing brain trauma in stunned animals. These findings enhance the understanding of effective stunning techniques and support improved welfare practices in livestock management.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/1/53animal welfarecaptive bolthumane euthanasiahornedmagnetic resonance imagingpathophysiology |
| spellingShingle | Troy John Gibson Anne Lisa Ridler Georgina Limon Christopher Lamb Alun Williams Neville George Gregory Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete Concussion Veterinary Sciences animal welfare captive bolt humane euthanasia horned magnetic resonance imaging pathophysiology |
| title | Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete Concussion |
| title_full | Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete Concussion |
| title_fullStr | Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete Concussion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete Concussion |
| title_short | Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete Concussion |
| title_sort | pathophysiology of penetrating captive bolt stunning in horned and polled sheep and factors determining incomplete concussion |
| topic | animal welfare captive bolt humane euthanasia horned magnetic resonance imaging pathophysiology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/1/53 |
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