ANIMAL WELFARE

ELISTA Education 2012

Freedom from Pain, Injury & Disease

Pain, Injury & Disease

Pain= an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage”. (World Health Organisation, http://www.health24.com/medical/Condition_centres/777-792-820-1822,18377.asp)

Injury= wound or trauma; harm or hurt; usually applied to damage inflicted on the body by an external force. (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/injury)

Disease=A pathologic condition in which the normal functioning of an organism or body is impaired or disrupted resulting in extreme pain,

dysfunction, distress, or death. (http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Disease)

TO give FREEDOM from, means to PREVENT

Preventing Pain…What is pain?

Pain occurs through the stimulation of specific receptor cells or nerve fibres and the transmission of the stimulation through the nervous system for detection by the brain.

The Nervous System

Central and Peripheral Nervous System

•Autonomic vs Somatic

•Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic

Nervous Reflexes

Reflex Arc- Involuntary Peripheral Nervous Response

Sensory Cells

Nerve Cell (Neurone)

Nociceptors in epidermis of

the skin. Mechanoreceptors in dermis layer

Types of Pain

Nociceptive Pain(noxious stimulation:harmful intensity)

Visceral Pain Related to ‘stretch’ and

inflammation, described as dull, superficial

Deep Somatic PainOccurs from stimulation of

nociceptors in ligaments, tendons, bone, blood vessels, muscles etc

Superficial Somatic Pain

Caused by activation of nociceptors in skin or other superficial tissue, giving sharp, clear, well defined

pain.

Neuropathic Pain(caused by damage or disease to parts of

somatosensory nervous system )

e.g arthritic pain, banging funny bone.

Signs of Pain

Humans: Subjective descriptions by patients Animals: Never know for sure, understand science of pain, should be easy to except presence in mammals at least- be cautious of anthropomorphism-watch behaviour-listen to vocalisations-observe signs of health

Behaviours that may link to pain (or at least discomfort)…

Preventing Pain

Prevention of Pain=

Avoid Injury and Avoid “Disease”

•Environment •Environment

•Nutrition

•Husbandry

•Breeding

Signs of HealthVaries between species, but typically include:- moving freely

- keen reflexes- bright, clean eyes- clean odour free ears- (moist) clean nose with no discharge- dandruff free glossy coat/feathers/scales- clean anal region, defecating and urinating normally- pink gums with quick capillary refill- hydrated skin- no flaking or scabbing/soreness on skin areas- suitable weight- reasonable breath- normal TPR rate

Disease, Conditions, Syndrome and Illness

There are no clear cut definitions. But it is worth thinking about!Disease= system related problem e.g Heart disease, may be micro-organism/pathogen induced but affects a systems e.g Weil’s Disease

Condition= Used more as a generic term for Disease or Disorder, may have less of emphasis on causation (etiology) e.g degenerative conditions e.g

Hip Dysphasia Syndrome= a set of signs and symptoms, not exclusive from a disease or condition. E.g Downs Syndrome (Genetic condition) Wobblers Syndrome

Illness- Specifically caused by pathogen, typically short lasting e.g Kennel Cough

Causes of Disease

System malfunction, includes:

Nervous

Endocrine

Cardiovascular

Muscular

Reproductive

Digestive

Skeletal

Causes of Disease

Genetic: gene mutations (abnormality in individual DNA sequence) and hereditary disease (previous mutation passed on through generations to become common as dominant or recessive allele in species)

Causes of Disease

Pathogens- an agent that causes disease, especially a living organism.

Types of DiseaseAcute- quick in onset but short lasting (distemper)

Chronic- slow long lasting condition (arthritis)

Peracute- disease that kills quickly (anthrax)

Infectious- can pass from one animal to another without direct contact (mostly bacteria or virus)

Contagious- passed from one animal to another through direct contact (mites)

Enzootic- refers to a disease present (endemic) among animals in a particular region, country or area

Epizootic- rapid spreading disease over large number and large area

Sporadic- disease that suddenly appears but can equally suddenly disappear

Bacteria

Simple single celled organism

Multiples asexually

Aerobic and Anaerobic

Visible under normal microscope

Gram positive or gram negative

Treated with antibiotics

Pathogenic Bacteria Structures

Staphylococcus(single spherical coccus bacteria in

cluster formations)

Streptococcus (single spherical coccus bacteria in

line formations)

Bacilli(variations of rod shaped bacteria)

Pathogenic Bacterial Diseases

Leptospirosis

Salmonella

Pasteurella

Brucella

Clostridia

Virus

Smallest Disease causing agent

Usually specific to certain tissue in the body

Can infect an cause disease in bacteriaOnly seen under electron microscopeCannot live outside of the animals living cells, unless protected by body fluidPrevention main control

Protozoa

Unicellular organisms

Vary in structure and size

Many not harmful

Found in aqueous environments and soil

Motile

Fungi

Yeasts and MouldsYeast= single bud sporesMould= network of thin multi-cellular threats that under right conditions cause spores to germinate.Many beneficial; mushrooms, penicilinSome harmful, disease caused

by fungi=mycoses

Endo-parasitesParasite= animal that uses

other animal as a host.InternalExamples=- Roundworm (nematodes)- Tapeworm (cestodes)- Lungworm - Flukes (trematodes)- Hookworm- Threadworm- Heartworm

Ecto-parasites

External, live on skin or in skin layers.

Examples=

-Fleas

-Lice

-Mites

-Ticks

-Leeches

Signs and Symptoms of Disease

The whole 10 day course could be spent on discussing signs and symptoms of disease. Since it is illegal for a non-veterinary professional to diagnose a disease, there is really no point in knowing all signs and symptoms. In saying that it can be useful for animal professionals to be aware of signs and symptoms so to respond in a manner that will aid the animal prior to veterinary advice and protect others and themselves. Familiarity with signs and symptoms of animal disease is therefore the most important thing.

Treating Pathogens

Bacteria- Antibiotics (sterilisation and disinfectant for environment)Virus- Education & Immunisation. Management to allow body to fight.Protozoa- Anti-protozal agentsFungi- Anti-fungal creamsEndoparasite- Anthelmintics (rotation drug and environment) Destroy secondary host.Ectoparasite- Insecticide for environment, suitable topical treatment

Immunological Responses

Immune system is the body’s fighting mechanism.Foreign body enters detected by antibodies

Main antibodies - lymphocytes- eosinophils/basophils/neutrophils

Disease Prevention (Avoiding Pathogen Invasion )

A completely sterile aseptic environment for animals is not only near impossible to achieve, but may not be in the best interest of the animals’ health as it does not allow the animal to build immunity. The following are significant factors that when considered carefully can prevent disease and reduce spread if it does occur.

Disease Prevention (Avoiding Pathogen Invasion )

ObservationHygieneStress Reduction- Handling

- Nutrition- Appropriate Environment

- Appropriate Grouping (Age, species, size)

Housing (Comfort, Materials)

VentilationHumidityGeneticsImmunity….

Immunity

Immunity can be…Inherited (species not affected)Naturally Acquired (passive immunity from mother if she has been vaccinated or experienced a disease and over came it OR if experiences itself it develops it’s own active immunity)Artificially Acquired (quick acting but short lasting is passive artificial immunity from the antiserum of an animal that has experienced the disease. Active artificial immunity comes from vaccination).

ImmunityNatural passive= from colostrum

Natural active= experience disease

Artificial passive= antiserum

Artificial active= vaccination

Passive immunity (natural)

Active immunity (artificial)

Most vulnerable

…Vaccination

Live (modified)- non harmfulbut natural disease

Inactivated- doesn’t replicate but stimulates immune response, dead or attenuated bacteria or virusToxoids- toxins produced by organisms are heat treated, short lived vaccine (requires booster)

Zoonosis

A disease or infection that can be naturally transmitted from a vertebrate animal to a human.Avoid transmission by:-having awareness-reducing unnecessary exposure-practise good hygiene-take precaution; immunisation

Quarantine and Isolation

The words quarantine and isolation are inter-changeable.

Quarantine= place or process of preventative isolation

Isolation= place or process of separation of diseased animal.

Disease Transmission

Four factors required for disease transmission:A micro-organism capable of causing disease and capable of transmission

An environment favourable to growth of micro-organism

A susceptible host

A mechanism by which the micro-organism can be transferred

Three of the four are difficult to control, so preventing a mechanism for transfer is best.

Quarantine Units

Alternative to Quarantine

Pets Passport Scheme

Agreement between rabies-free countries

Four requirements:

- micro-chipped for identification

- animal is rabies vaccinated

- blood tested to show rabies immunity

- is treated for parasites prior to re-entry

Precautions when attending to quarantined or isolated animals

Specific staff where possible

Footbath

Hygiene procedures

Protective clothing

Washing and disinfecting

Safety procedures and facilities (e.g 2 doors)

Knowledge of disease; signs and symptoms

Recording of all events relating to animal

PoisonsMedicinesHerbicides InsecticidesMollusicidesRodenticidesHousehold chemicalsDisinfectantsReptile bitesToad PoisoningInsect stingsHuman Food

Potential Symptoms

Foaming at the mouth

Fitting

Dis-colouration

Breathing Problems

Irritation to skin

Vomiting

Treating Poisoning

Prevent further absorption

Identify poison

Contact Vet (VPIS)

Maintain oxygen

Give Demulcent

Administer Fluid

Observe temperature

Drugs or antidote