@article{1487,
  keywords = {pig, inhalation-anaesthesia, anaesthetic device, Animal welfare},
  author = {C Schwennen and N Kolbaum and K-H Waldmann and D Höltig},
  title = {Evaluation of the anaesthetic depth during piglet castration under an automated isoflurane­anaesthesia at farm level},
  abstract = {Piglet castration under isoflurane-anaesthesia could represent an alternative to the practice of castration without anaesthesia. The objective of this study was to evaluate practicality and effectiveness of an automated isoflurane-anaesthesia for castration. A field study on three different farms in Germany (farm A, B: 200 sows; C: 50 sows) was performed. In total, 129 (1166 anaesthetised and 263 conventionally castrated) male piglets (age: 1–8 days; bodyweight: 0.7–3.7 kg) were monitored. All piglets were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs directly before castration. Castration and anaesthesia were performed by the farm-manager in presence of a veterinarian. All farmers used the PIGNAP Pro® (Agrosystems GmbH, CH) anaesthetic device (5 vol.% isoflurane, 30% oxygen; flow rate: 2 l/min). Vocalisation and defensive movements of 1166 anaesthetised piglets was rated using a scoring system. Presence or absence of the palpebral- and flexor-reflex was noted. Approximately every second piglet was weighed and oxygen-saturation and pulsefrequency of 231 animals were measured during treatment. Rectal temperatures before and after castration of 26 anaesthetised and 263 conventionally castrated piglets were compared. Only 77% of the anaesthetised piglets showed a sufficient anaesthetic depth based on the assessment of reflexes as well as vocalisations and defensive movements. It was found that the probability for a sufficient depth of anaesthesia decreases with increasing age and weight. The measurements of the pulse-frequency and oxygen-saturation showed an average oxygen-saturation of 98% and an average heart rate of 270/min during anaesthesia. The conventionally castrated piglets had significantly higher rectal temperatures in comparison to the anaesthetised (p  lt; 0.0001). The result of 77% sufficiently anaesthetised piglets is not adequate for commercial application of this technology. },
  year = {2016},
  journal = {Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift},
  volume = {129},
  edition = {1/2},
  pages = {40-47},
  month = {01/2016},
  publisher = {Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG},
  address = {Hannover},
  issn = {0005-9366},
  doi = {10.2376/0005-9366-129-40},
  language = {English},
}