Animal Science Final (copy)

Development of Agriculture (in General):

Why did it happen?

• Agriculture emerged as humans transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to settled communities, driven by the need for a stable food supply.

How was it beneficial?

• Agriculture allowed for population growth, development of civilizations, reliable food sources, and advancements in technology and culture.

History of Animal Domestication:

Why did it happen?

• Animals were domesticated to provide labor, food, clothing, companionship, and transport.

How was it beneficial?

• Animal domestication enhanced agricultural efficiency, improved food security, and allowed societies to develop more complex economies.

What were the first few animals to be domesticated?

• Dogs, sheep, goats, and cattle were among the earliest domesticated animals.

What common animals were most recently domesticated?

• Animals like rabbits and certain species of fish (e.g., tilapia) are among the more recently domesticated species.

Animal Welfare:

How is animal welfare different from animal rights?

• Animal welfare focuses on the humane treatment and care of animals, ensuring they are healthy and comfortable.

• Animal rights argue that animals have inherent rights and should not be used for human purposes.

What governmental organizations oversee animal welfare regulations?

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Animal Anatomy & Physiology:

What are the general functions of each organ system?

• Nervous System: Coordination and response to stimuli.

• Circulatory System: Transport of nutrients, gases, and wastes.

• Digestive System: Breakdown and absorption of nutrients.

• Respiratory System: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).

• Musculoskeletal System: Support, movement, and protection.

• Reproductive System: Propagation of species.

• Endocrine System: Hormone regulation.

Specifically, regarding nutrition & digestion:
How do we classify each livestock animal's digestive tract (ruminant or non-ruminant), and which animals fall into each category? What about the poultry digestive tract?

• Ruminants (four-chambered stomach): Cattle, sheep, goats.

• Non-ruminants (single-chambered stomach): Pigs, horses.

• Poultry: Specialized digestive tract with a crop and gizzard.

What factors affect feed digestibility? How do they affect it?

• Factors: Feed composition, particle size, processing methods, and animal health.

• Effect: Improved digestibility increases nutrient absorption and reduces waste.

What is proximate analysis?

• A method to determine feed composition, including moisture, protein, fat, fiber, and ash content.

What do we mean by "dry matter," "as-fed," "nitrogen-free extract," and "mineral matter"?

• Dry Matter: Feed without moisture.

• As-Fed: Feed including moisture.

• Nitrogen-Free Extract: Easily digestible carbohydrates.

• Mineral Matter: Ash or inorganic material.

Why do animals need carbs, fats, proteins, water, fiber, minerals, and specific vitamins?

• Carbs: Energy source.

• Fats: Concentrated energy and insulation.

• Proteins: Growth and repair.

• Water: Vital for all biological processes.

• Fiber: Digestive health.

• Minerals and Vitamins: Support metabolic processes and overall health.

Specifically, regarding reproduction:
What structures are called the "gonads," and what are their functions?

• Male Gonads (Testes): Produce sperm and testosterone.

• Female Gonads (Ovaries): Produce eggs and hormones like estrogen.

Key terms in reproduction:

• Copulation: Act of mating.

• Gestation: Pregnancy period.

• Estrus: Heat or receptive phase in females.

• Ovulation: Release of an egg.

• Conceptus: Developing embryo or fetus.

• Parturition: Process of giving birth.

Artificial insemination and its purpose:

• Introduction of sperm into the female reproductive tract to improve breeding efficiency, control genetics, and reduce disease transmission.

Reproductive technologies:

• Estrus Detection/Synchronization: Control breeding cycles.

• Superovulation: Increase egg production.

• IVF and Embryo Transfer: Assist in breeding and genetic preservation.

• Cloning: Replicate desirable genetic traits.

Animal Behavior:

What are innate behaviors versus learned behaviors?

• Innate behaviors: Inborn and instinctual actions.

• Learned behaviors: Acquired through experience.

Key behavioral processes:

• Habituation: Ignoring repetitive stimuli.

• Imprinting: Early-life bonding or learning.

• Spatial Learning/Cognitive Mapping: Navigation using environmental cues.

• Associative Learning: Linking stimuli with outcomes.

• Problem Solving: Applying knowledge to overcome challenges.

• Social Learning: Learning through observation.

Define kinesis and taxis:

• Kinesis: Random movement in response to stimuli.

• Taxis: Directed movement toward or away from stimuli.

Examples of social and communication behaviors:

• Social Behaviors: Grooming, mating displays, dominance hierarchies.

• Communication Behaviors: Vocalizations, body language, pheromones.

Why exhibit altruistic behaviors?

• Enhances survival of related individuals, preserving shared genes.

Animal Disease:

Types of disease:

• Infectious, non-infectious, and hereditary.

Potential causes of infectious diseases:

• Bacteria, viruses, prions, protozoa, parasites.

Routes of disease transmission:

• Airborne, vector-borne, direct contact, contamination, food-borne, bites/saliva.

Zoonotic diseases:

• Diseases transmissible from animals to humans.

Relationship with pandemics:

• Zoonotic diseases can lead to widespread outbreaks (e.g., COVID-19, avian flu).

Why are incidents increasing?

• Increased animal-human interaction, habitat destruction, globalization.

Animal Diseases Overview

1. Anthrax

Cause: Bacteria (Bacillus anthracis)
Transmission: Ingestion, inhalation, or open wounds exposed to contaminated soil, feed, or water. Spores remain dormant in the environment for decades.
Symptoms: Sudden death, high fever, difficulty breathing, swelling, and bleeding from body openings.
Prevention: Vaccination, proper disposal of carcasses, and avoiding contaminated areas.
Zoonotic Potential: Yes — humans can contract anthrax from infected animals or animal products.

2. Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP)

Cause: Bacteria (Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides)
Transmission: Direct contact between animals (respiratory droplets) or contaminated feed/water.
Symptoms: Coughing, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, fever, and death in severe cases.
Prevention: Vaccination, quarantine of infected animals, and culling affected herds.
Zoonotic Potential: No — CBPP does not infect humans.

3. Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD)

Cause: Virus (Bovine viral diarrhea virus, BVDV)
Transmission: Direct contact with infected bodily fluids (saliva, nasal discharge, feces) or from mother to fetus.
Symptoms: Diarrhea, nasal discharge, fever, reduced milk production, and reproductive issues (abortion, stillbirths).
Prevention: Vaccination, biosecurity measures, and testing/culling persistently infected animals.
Zoonotic Potential: No — BVD does not infect humans.

4. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

Cause: Virus (Foot-and-mouth disease virus, FMDV)
Transmission: Direct contact, contaminated feed/water, airborne particles, and movement of animals or people carrying the virus.
Symptoms: Blisters on the mouth, feet, and udder; lameness; excessive salivation; loss of appetite.
Prevention: Vaccination, strict quarantine, and biosecurity measures (disinfection, movement control).
Zoonotic Potential: Rare, but possible in humans, though human cases are extremely rare.

5. Babesiosis

Cause: Protozoa (Babesia species)
Transmission: Tick bites (vector-borne) — ticks such as Rhipicephalus and Boophilus are the primary vectors.
Symptoms: Fever, anemia (due to red blood cell destruction), weakness, jaundice, and dark-colored urine ("redwater disease").
Prevention: Tick control (acaricides), pasture management, and anti-parasitic drugs.
Zoonotic Potential: Yes — Babesia microti can infect humans, often through tick bites, but the animal species of Babesia typically affect animals, not humans.

6. Trichomoniasis

Cause: Protozoa (Tritrichomonas foetus)
Transmission: Venereal (sexual) transmission during natural mating or contaminated artificial insemination equipment.
Symptoms: Infected bulls show no signs, but infected cows experience early embryonic death, infertility, and extended calving intervals.
Prevention: Use of artificial insemination, testing and culling infected bulls, and maintaining closed herds.
Zoonotic Potential: No — Tritrichomonas foetus does not infect humans.

7. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, "Mad Cow Disease")

Cause: Prions (misfolded proteins)
Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated feed containing infected animal by-products (like meat-and-bone meal).
Symptoms: Behavioral changes, uncoordinated movements, nervousness, tremors, weight loss, and eventually death.
Prevention: Banning the use of animal by-products in feed, strict control of animal imports/exports, and testing of cattle for BSE.
Zoonotic Potential: Yes — Consumption of contaminated beef products can cause variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans.

Bluetongue

Fever, swelling, lameness, difficulty breathing

sheep, cattle, goats, deer

Biting midges (culicoides spp.)

Vector control, vaccination, proper heard management

Psittacosis

flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, muscle aches

Birds (parrots, pigeons, poultry)

Airborne (feces, dust)

Proper hygiene, protective equipment when handling birds

Leptospirosis

Fever, headaches, muscle pain, jaundice, kidney / liver failure

Rodents, livestock, dogs

Waterborne, soil, direct contact

Avoid contaminated water, vaccinate animals, use protective gear

Anthrax

Skin sores, difficulty breathing, septicemia

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats), wild herbivores

Direct contact, inhalation, ingestion

Vaccination of live.com avoid contact with infected carcasses

Plague

Swollen lymph nodes (buboes), beaver, chills, sepsis

Rodents, prairie dogs,

Fleas

Control rodent population, flea control, hygiene

Cat Scratch

Swollen lymph nodes, beaver, fatigue, headaches

Domestic cats

Cat scratches or bites

Proper wound care, avoid rough play with cats

Lime Disease

Bullseye rash, fever, joint pain, neurological issues

Deer, mice, small mammals

Deer ticks

Wear protective clothing, use tick repellent, check for ticks

Crytposporidiosis

Watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea

Livestock (cattle), pets, wild animals

Waterborne, contaminated surfaces

Avoid contaminated waters, wash hands, disinfect surfaces

Toxoplasmosis

Flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, eye issues

Cat, livestock

Contact with cat feces, contaminated food

Wash hands after handling cats, avoid undercooked meat, clean litter boxes regularly

Trichinosis

Muscle pain, fever, swelling around the eyes

Pigs, wild carnivorous animals (bears)

No vector; spread via ingestion

Cook pork and wild game to proper temperatures

Taeniasis

Abdominal pain, weight loss, digestive issues

Cattle, pigs

No vector; spread via ingestion

Avoid raw/undercooked meat, proper meat inspection

Tetanus

Muscle stiffness, lockjaw, seizures

No non-human hosts

Spores in soil, animal feces

Vaccination, wound care, avoid contaminated environments

Botulism

Paralysis, difficulty breathing, blurred vision

Fish, birds

Foodborne (canned food, honey)

proper food handling and canning, avoid giving honey to infants