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Tail docking in pigs causes long-term pain
Tail docking is often used to control the problem of tail biting.

Study identifies nerve pain in stump up to four months after procedure

Tail docking may be a cause of long-term pain in pigs, a new study has concluded.

Presenting findings at the UFAW Animal Welfare Conference in Newcastle, Dr Dale Sandercock from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), said:
“Tail amputation causes acute and sustained changes in peripheral somatosensory nerve function involving inflammatory and neuropathic pain pathways which have implications for pig welfare.”

Tail docking is often used to control the problem of tail biting, an abnormal behaviour that is caused by stress, illness, poor air quality or competition for food and water. However, concerns about docking being a long-term cause of pain have existed for some time.

In a bid to reduce tail biting and docking in pigs, scientists from eight countries launched the research project FareWellDock. The aim of which is to yield new information about tail docking and stimulate development towards a total ban in the EU.

One of the teams involved in the project is SRUC’s Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group who, in this latest study, worked with researchers at Newcastle University.

In the study, researchers looked at the activity of genes in the nerves of the tail stump.
They found that it was possible to detect changes in genes associated with pain signals four months after the procedure, even if it was carried out under anaesthetic

The FareWellDock project is being carried out in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and the USA. Led by the University of Helsinki, it forms part of an initiative to increase cooperation of national research programmes on the health and welfare of farm animals.

 

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FIVP Practice Matters podcast returns for Series 2

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced that its podcast, FIVP Practice Matters, will be returning for a second series next year.

The bi-weekly podcast will return on Tuesday, 14 January 2025 with an episode on sustainability with Alison Lambert. The second series will include a range of new and familiar guests sharing veterinary initiatives and news from independent practices.

The podcast is available on Spotify and will now also be released on Apple Podcasts. More details about FIVP and the podcast can be found on its website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Further cases of H5N1 confirmed in Norfolk

APHA has officially confirmed that two more cases of H5N1 have been found on premises in Norfolk.

Testing confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was present at premises near Attleborough, as well as premises near Hingham in South Norfolk. The case near Hingham follows a slaughter on suspicion which was declared on 23 December.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been implemented at each premises, and all the poultry on each premises will be humanely culled.

A third case has also been identified near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire.

APHA is reminding bird keepers to remain vigilant and follow biosecurity measures to prevent more outbreaks. Details on the current disease control zones and biosecurity guidance can be found on the APHA website.