Influences on the Decision to Euthanize a Compromised Pig
Julia Stoffregen,
Tristan Winkelmann,
Bettina Schneider,
Michel Fehrmann,
Kathrin Gerdes,
Moana Miller,
Jennifer Reinmold,
Isabel Hennig-Pauka,
Nicole Kemper,
Christin Kleinsorgen,
Karl-Heinz Tölle,
Lothar Kreienbrock,
Michael Wendt,
Elisabeth grosse Beilage
Affiliations
Julia Stoffregen
Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
Tristan Winkelmann
Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
Bettina Schneider
Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
Michel Fehrmann
Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
Kathrin Gerdes
Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Büscheler Str. 9, 49456 Bakum, Germany
Moana Miller
Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
Jennifer Reinmold
Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Büscheler Str. 9, 49456 Bakum, Germany
Isabel Hennig-Pauka
Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Büscheler Str. 9, 49456 Bakum, Germany
Nicole Kemper
Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
Christin Kleinsorgen
Centre for E-Learning, Didactics, Educational Research [ZELDA], University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
Michael Wendt
Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
Elisabeth grosse Beilage
Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Büscheler Str. 9, 49456 Bakum, Germany
The decision to euthanize a compromised pig can be challenging for pig farmers and veterinarians. To understand more about the challenges in Germany, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Based on a hybrid design, the responses of 39 veterinarians and 62 pig farmers were analyzed to generate a list of common clinical signs associated with the euthanasia of sows, fatteners, and piglets. Moreover, a set of influences on the farm, due to economic and personal considerations, were found to shape the decision-making process. The two most salient reasons outlined for the delay of timely euthanasia were uncertainty and misinterpretation of the chance for healing. The lack of valid clinical signs or a sound justification was most frequently mentioned as a challenge to the general decision-making process. In summation, this study highlights the need to generate a valid taxonomy for clinical signs that includes their development in a compromised pig over time. Future studies should elaborate on the justification of euthanasia decisions to facilitate the resolution of ethical dilemmas among the involved pig farmers and veterinarians. Lastly, the results suggest that clinical reasoning and consultation skills should be included when decision-making behavior is to be trained.
