A103 Lab Practical

Be able to put a halter on an animal. Define the parts of a halter (headstall and chin rope). Which side of a a haltered animal should you stand while handling?

headstall = around the animal’s ears and horns

chin rope = under the animal’s chin

stand on the animal’s left side to lead it

if placed properly, tension on the rope will close the animal’s mouth and lift the head up

What is the length of the pregnancy for sheep?

5 months

144-152 days

Describe normal lambing management and post-lambing care.

• wear appropriate PPE

• look for any signs of lambing

  • ewe isolating herself, a ewe with a water bag or fetal body part presenting, a ewe that is straining or having abdominal contractions

• three stages of parturition

  • preparation

  • expulsion of fetus

  • expulsion of fetal membranes (placenta)

• front feet and head should present at vulva first during delivery (lookout for abnormal presentations or positions)

• after a lamb is born, immediately…

  • break the amniotic membrane and clean the nose so it can breathe

  • lift and rub it hard on its side to make sure it’s sternal

  • dip the umbilicus cord (or navel) to decrease risk of infection

• within the first hour of life, ensure the lamb is standing and nursing

  • acquires fluid and energy

  • maintains body temperature

  • receives antibodies in colostrum

Define zoonotic disease and list 4 routes of transmission of zoonotic diseases.

zoonotic disease = pathogens that could be transmitted from an animal to a human

1. direct contact (biting, scratching, feces/urine, saliva)

2. vector-borne (ticks, mosquitoes, fleas)

3. food-borne (consumption of contaminated food)

4. water-borne (drinking or washing in contaminated water)

Define PPE and list 5 types of PPE worn on farms.

PPE = Personal Protective Equipment

1. goggles

2. masks

3. coveralls

4. gloves

5. boots

Identify the equipment used for lamb processing, and explain the rationale for each step.

• ear tagger

• weight scale

• elastrator bander and bands

• burdizzo or emasculotome

• hot docker

• paint brander

• Selenium or Vitamin E injections

• ear tagger and ear tag

  • to identify the individual lamb

• weight scale

  • assess health right from the get-go

  • can compare to later weight and calculate rate of gain → indirectly evaluate mom’s milk production

• elastrator bander and bands

  • placed about three movable joints down tail (obstructs blood flow leading to testicular atrophy and fall-off)

• burdizzo or emasculotome

  • clamp positioned three moveable joints down tail and held in place for two minutes (crushes blood vessels and nerves)

  • scalpel blade brought in to cut

• hot docker

  • slowly cuts through tail (cauterizes blood vessel)

• paint brander

  • to associate a lamb to its mother

• Selenium or Vitamin E injections

  • work together for immune system muscle and nerve functions (without, muscles undergo degeneration)

  • selenium/vit E deficient lambs could display signs of white muscle disease

Define a dental formula. What is the dental formula for sheep dentition. To calculate the total number of permanent teeth, multiply by what number? What is another term for a sheep’s lower canine?

dental formula = a way of summarizing the number and kind of teeth in an animal’s mouth

sheep dental formula

• I = upper out of 3/lower out of 3

• C = upper out 1/ lower out of 1

• P = upper out of 3/lower out of 3

• M upper out of 3/lower out of 3

to calculate the total number of permanent teeth, multiply by 2

lower canine = incisor 4

What can be used to estimate a sheep’s age? Be able to provide eruption times for a permanent tooth.

although not entirely reliable, eruption times can be used to estimate a sheep’s age.

eruption times

• incisor 1 = 1-1.5 yrs

• incisor 2 = 1.5-2 yrs

• incisor 3 = 2.5-3 yrs

• incisor 4/canine 1 = 3.5-4 yrs

• premolars = 1.5-2 yrs

• molar 1 = 3 months

• molar 2 = 9-12 months

• molar 3 = 1.5-2 yrs

List and identify the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy animals.

healthy animals

• bright/alert responses

• eating and drinking

• normal urinating and defecation

• natural sleep cycle

• chewing cud

• normal hair coat

• good posture

• in-context vocalizing and normal behavior/socializing

• normal vital signs (TPR - temperature post-respiration)

unhealthy animals

• visible lesions

• lethargy

• depressed/anxious

• immobile/down

• unusual vocalizing

• coughing/sneezing

• nasal/eye discharge

• poor hair coat

• not eating or drinking

• abnormal defecation or urinating (blood/mucus)

List factors in an animal’s environment that impact health

• bedding quality

• water quality (+ outside water temperatures)

• feeders (cleanliness and contents)

• ambient temperature and air quality

• manure pile-up

• safe pens (structure and set-up)

• lighting (exposure)

• biosecurity protocols

List the average and ranges of normal vital signs (TPRR Chart + CRT) for sheep, goats,cattle, horses, and pigs.

• temperature

• heart rate, bpm

• respiratory rate, brpm

• rumination

• crt

sheep

• temperature = 101-103.5

  • rectum (anus)

• heart rate, bpm = 70-80 [60-120]

  • inside of hind leg

  • stethoscope to left side of chest just behind elbow or at “girth line”

• respiratory rate, brpm = 12-24

• rumination = 1-2 per min

  • left flank between last rib and pelvis

• capillary refill time = < 10 sec

goats

• temperature = 101-103.5

• heart rate, bpm = 70-80 [60-120]

• respiratory rate, brpm = 12-24

• rumination = 1-2 per min

• capillary refill time = < 10 sec

cattle

• temperature = 100-102.8

• heart rate, bpm = 60 [40-80]

• respiratory rate, brpm = 10-36

• rumination = 3 every 2 min

• capillary refill time = < 10 sec

horses

• temperature =99-101

• heart rate, bpm = 24-44

• respiratory rate, brpm = 10-24

• capillary refill time = < 10 sec

pigs

• temperature =101-103.5

• heart rate, bpm = 60-80

• respiratory rate, brpm = 10-20
  capillary refill time = < 10 sec

Define withdrawal period, ELDU, AMDUCA, PO, ID, SC/SQ, IP, IM, IV, and IC.

withdrawal period = time from last drug treatment to when animal or products enters food production chain

extra-label drug use (ELDU) = drug product has animal specifications, but is still safe to use on other species

• use of FDA-approved drug in manner not labeled, yet met by conditions of AMDUCA

• drugs that pose a risk to humans and drugs only meant for humans are not considered ELDU

Animal Medicinal Drug-Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA) = species are not always labeled because companies would need to spend $

per-os (PO) = oral (mouth)

• slow/intermediate absorption

intradermal (ID) = layer of skin (caudal tail folds or neck)

• slow absorption

• TB tests

subcutaneous (SC/SQ) = under skin (neck, over the back)

• intermediate absorption

intraperitoneal (IP) = into abdomen

• rapid absorption

• rodents

intramuscular (IM) = muscle (neck muscles)

• rapid absorption

intravenus (IV) = vein (jugular vein, tail vein, milk vein, etc)

• immediate absorption

intracardiac (IC) = heart

• immediate absorption

Food and Drug Administration

Which government agency assures the safety and efficacy of drugs and regulates labels?

Be able to explain the the advantages of producing and processing milk on the same farm. What is A1/A1 milk and A2/A2 milk?

producing and processing

• know the process in and out (complete control)

• cost and time efficient

• more customers & wholesales (services)

A1/A1 and A2/A2 milk

• A1/A1 = contains A1 beta-casein protein that people can find difficult to digest

• A2/A2 = contains A2 beta-casein protein that causes less digestive harm on people

• neither is better over the other in terms of nutrition, but rather compete in preference of individual consumer digestive issues

At what age are Alta Cow Watch Collars placed on heifers? What is their purpose?

age = 10-11 months

purpose

• cow identification

• weight tracker

• rumination tracker

• activity tracker (movement)

• temperature tracker

• stress tracker

• illness?

When are heifers bred for the first time? What percent of cows are bred by AI with semen from Jersey bulls at Mapleline farm? Angus bulls?

first time breeding = 11-12 months or 700-800 lbs

Jersey bulls = 30%

Angus bulls = 70%

Be able to identify different types of dairy barns and milking parlors.

dairy barns

• free-stall = individual stalls with free-roaming cows

• tie-stall = individual stalls with tethered cows

milking parlors

• parallel = side by side

• tandem = nose to tail

• herringbone = 45˚ angle smaller parallels

• rotary = carousel

• robotic = self-service walk-in unit

Be able to identify factors on a dairy farm that impact cow comfort.

• feed (tillage)

• space

• bedding (cleanliness)

• air ventilation

How is manure managed and stored at Mapleline? What is the manure used for?

stored = large blue tanks outside the barn

use = on field as fertilizer

Define restraint, and explain why restraint is necessary for animals.

restraint = physical/chemical/physiological methods for limiting/controlling animal movement

1. work w/ animals (handling) - maximizes handler safety

2. complete tasks/medical procedures (necessary welfare)

3. maximize animal safety (during procedures)

4. minimize stress (on animals and handlers)

Identify, demonstrate, &/or describe the restraint techniques that we discussed for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.

dogs

• sandbags (x-rays)

• harness

• Elizabethan collar

• muzzles

• vocal (voice command/training)

• chemical sedation

• grooming/genital slings

• fences, crates. kennels

cats

• sandbags (x-rays)

• cat bags, burritos, wraps

• Elizabethan collar

• scruffing (clipnosis) [trying to step away]

• cat gloves

• vocal (voice command/training)

• chemical sedation

• cat carriers

horses

• halter / tack (for riding)

• cross ties

• chain kicks

• lip or nose, neck, ear twitch

• fences, stalls

• chain shank over nose/gums

• hobbles (females)

• blinders

cattle

• headlocks

• squeeze chutes

• tail jacking

• casting (pressure points with ropes)

• bull rings, nose tongs

• hobbles

• dogs

• tilt table

pigs

• v trough

• vertical hold (piglet)

• pig snare

• pig board

• shaker paddles

• farrowing or gestation crates

• vocal (voice command/training)

• chemical sedation

small ruminants

• halter

• chin hold

• tip/tilt on rump

• horns (adult)

• hoof trimming chutes

• hammock (tipped-back cradles)

• dogs (sheep > goats)

• slings (insemination)

Be able to label the major wholesale cuts (or primal cuts) of pork.

What is the length of pregnancy for pigs?

3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days

or

114 days

Describe normal farrowing and post-farrowing care for a sow and her piglets.

• farrowing crate

  • temperature 50-70˚F for sows

  • temperature 85-90˚F for piglets

• weighing of piglets (2-4.5 lbs)

• normal farrowing duration 2-3 hrs

• litter size around 10-12 piglets

What is the difference between a farrowing crate and a gestation crate?

gestation crate = sow’s house before farrowing for monitoring and individual safety

farrowing crate = sow’s house during and after farrowing to minimize piglet mortality during early lactation

What is the “wean-to-estrus” interval for sows? At what age are piglets weaned in a modern production setting?

wean-to-estrus = 4-7 days

piglets weaned = 5-6 weeks (≤ 3 weeks)

Describe each step in piglet processing. Be able to identify the equipment used, list the age range of piglets for each step, and explain the reason for each step.

• weigh

• clip 8 needle teeth

• dock tail

• ear notch

• inject iron

• castrate

• weigh

  • first week (1-3 days)

  • make breeding decisions

• clip 8 needle (or wolf) teeth

  • 1-3 days old

  • prevent sharp bites of teats, management

• dock tail

  • 1-3 days old

  • prevent boredom/aggressive behavior

• ear notch

  • 1-3 days old

  • identify individual piglets

• inject iron

  • 1-3 days old

  • provide mineral not in mom’s milk for oxygen transport in blood

  • inject in neck (IM)

• castrate

  • 3-14 days old

  • prevent pregnancies, limit aggressive behavior, avoid boar taint in meat

  • scapal

Be able to distinguish between a gilt piglet and a boar piglet.

gilt piglets

• shorter and slimmer snouts

• ears are more “perky” closer to forehead

• vulva (external opening of reprod tract)

  • just below anus

boar piglets

• more rectangular head shape

• deeper and wider snouts

• ears further out and away from forehead

• larger and more robust build

• scrotum

  • b/w rear legs below anus

Be able to interpret and apply ear notches.

right ear = litter #

left = individual #

List the vital signs (TPR) for an adult horse at rest.

• respiratory rate

• heart rate/pulse

• mucous membrane color

• crt

• temperature

respiratory rate (RR) = 10-24 brpm

• stomach

heart rate (HR) or pulse (P) = 24-44 bpm

• transverse facial artery or facial artery blood vessels

• digital pulse = 2 arteries under fetlock

mucous membrane color = pink

• gums

capillary refill time (CRT) = ≤ 2 sec

• blanche gums

temperature = 99-101˚F

• rectul (anus)

List factors that could alter a horse’s vital signs.

• weather conditions

• physical activity - exercise

• stimuli - environment

• illness

• pending parturition

• age

Demonstrate where you would feel the transverse facial artery and the facial (orsubmandibular) artery on a horse.

a. transverse facial artery

b. facial (orsubmandibular) artery

Where would you feel for digital arteries, and what is the significance of a bounding digital pulse?

very faint pulse = good, healthy

heavy pulse = bad, injury or laminitis

• distilled limb → inflammation

• infection of foot

Demonstrate where you would listen to a horse’s heart, lungs, and cecum.

a. heart

b. cecum

c. lungs

What is a farrier? What is the rate of hoof growth for horses? On average, how often should a farrier evaluate a horse’s hooves?

farrier = a specialist in horse hoof care (trimming, balancing, shoe fitting)

rate of hoof growth = 0.24-0.4 inches per month

farrier visits = every 6-8 weeks

List 3 reasons for shoeing a horse.

1. basic hoof protection

2. traction/support

3. treatment

Identify the 6 areas that should be evaluated to assign a BCS to a horse.

1. loin

2. withers

3. ribs

4. neck

5. tailhead

6. shoulder

What is the scoring range of a horse’s body condition? What are 7 factors that affect a horse’s BCS and what are 5 aspects that are affected by a horse’s BCS? What does the BCS system not tell you?

1 = poor

2 = very thin

3 = thin

4 = moderately thin

5 = moderate (optimal)

6 = moderately fleshy

7 = fleshy

8 = fat

9 = obese

BCS is affected by…

1. food availability

2. reproductive activities

3. weather

4. performance or work activities

5. parasites

6. dental problems

7. feeding practices

BCS affects…

1. reproductive capability

2. performance ability

3. work function

4. health status

5. endocrine status

BCS does not tell you…

1. how fit a horse is for performance (fat level ≠ muscle tone, cardiovascular fitness, or any other measures of athletic conditioning)

2. type of fat deposited

Define and explain the purpose of the passive stay apparatus and reciprocal mechanism.

passive stay apparatus = ligaments, tendons, and muscles lock allowing horse to support body weight while standing/resting with 3 legs straight and 1 hind-leg relaxed without using significant enrgy or muscle activity

sleep laying down (rem sleep) = approx 1 hour

sleep standing up (PSA) = majority of time

prey animals need the ability to run from predators at any moment

Define clinical mastitis and subclinical mastitis.

clinical mastitis = visible infection/inflammation of mammary gland/milk

• off-color, viscosity milk

• hard mammary gland

subclinical mastitis = non-visible infection/inflamation of mammary gland

• less milk but don’t know why

• cell damage, scar tissue

How is the California Mastitis Test performed? What does the CMT measure?

California Mastitis Test

• involves collecting milk samples from each quarter (teat) and adding a reagent to see if a gel or slime-like reaction occurs

  • discard first few squirts

  • use a four-well plastic paddle

  • collect around ½ teaspoon milk from each teat

  • gently swirl paddle in circular motion to mix reagent and milk

  • reaction is scored (0 = no gel and 3 = almost solid gel)

    • negative reaction = no gel formation, milk is normal (no infection)

    • positive reactions = formation of gel or slime-like consistency

• determine # of somatic cells

Compare and contrast Popular, Trade, and Scholarly publications.

• include

• purpose

• audience

• reviewed

• citations

• frequency

• ads

popular publications

• current events; general interest

• inform, entertain, or elicit an emotional response

• written by staff writers, journalists, freelancers

• general public

• reviewed by staff editor

• possible informal citations

• weekly/monthly publications

• numerous ads

• simple, generic terminology or explanations

• ex. Time, Vogue, Rolling Stone

scholarly publications

• research results/reports; reviews of research; book reviews

• share research or scholarship with academic community

• written by scholars/researchers

• scholar, researcher, and student audiences

• reviewed by editorial board and some are peer-reviewed

• many citations including bibliographies, references, endnotes, footnotes

• quarterly/semi-annually publications

• minimal ads (usually only in scholarly products like books)

• specialized terminology, lack of basic definitions or explanations, extensive citations, often peer-reviewed

• ex. American Literature, New England Journal of Medicine, Developmental Psychology

trade publications

• certain businesses or industries

• inform about business or industry news, trends, or products

• written by staff writers, business/industry professionals

• business/industry professional audiences

• reviewed by staff editor

• few citations (may or many not have any)

• weekly/monthly publications

• ads for products geared towards specific industry

• ex. Pharmacy Times, Oil and Gas Investor Magazine

Define database, literature search, literature review, peer review, primary research, and review article.

database = storing and organizing information

• manages customer data, stores bibliographic information, manages inventory

literature search = identifying relevant sources for research

• uses databased, search engines, and other resources to find scholarly articles, books, and other relevant publications

literature review = source summarizer

• critically examines and synthesizes findings of existing research, identifying gaps, and providing an overview of the current state of knowledge on the topic

peer review = critical component of academic publishing

• ensures the quality and validity of research by having experts in the field evaluate the manuscript before publishing

primary research = collection of original data through surveys, experiments, or observations

review article = comprehensive summary of existing research on a specific topic

• analyzes and synthesizes findings from primary research, highlighting key trends, debates, and areas for future research