Behavioural and physiological assessment of stress reactions during vaginal examination in dairy cows

Summary

Objectives and aim: The objective of this study was to determine the origin of an arched back in cows during vaginal examination. Moreover, we tested whether the duration of an arched back and avoidance reactions during vaginal examination can be decreased by epidural anaesthesia or analgesic treatment. Material and methods: Behaviour during cleaning of the perivaginal region and during vaginal examination was scored using the avoidance reactivity score (ARS). Heart rate (HR) was recorded in 10 dairy cows considering four experimental phases, i.e. baseline, cleaning the perivaginal region, vaginal examination and post-examination. Each cow was examined three times and received no treatment (CON), an epidural anaesthesia (EPID) or an analgesic treatment (NSAID). The duration of an arched back during and post-examination was measured. Results: The expression of the arched back was shortest in cows of group EPID and longest in cows of group CON. Avoidance reactions did not differ between the cleaning phase and vaginal examination in cows of group EPID. Cows of group CON showed the strongest avoidance reactions during examination, whereas cows of group EPID showed least avoidance reactions. Mean HR increased during cleaning and vaginal examination and decreased post-examination. Mean HR during vaginal examination did not differ between treatment groups. Conclusion: The results show that cows express discomfort during vaginal examination with an increase in avoidance reactions and HR. Although epidural anaesthesia could reduce sensitivity in the perivaginal region, cows still felt the urge to empty the vagina from the examiner’s hand and, thus, were arching their back. Clinical relevance: In practice, routine vaginal examinations in dairy cows have not been considered as invasive examinations. Our results show that vaginal examinations indeed do cause discomfort. We do not suggest the application of any anaesthetic treatment as appropriate before routine vaginal examinations. None theless, the examiner should be aware of the stress potential of vaginal examinations and conduct such examinations most carefully.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Ermittlung von Ursachen für Abwehrverhalten von Kühen bei der vaginalen Untersuchung. Überprüft wurde, ob sich das Aufkrümmen des Rückens und Abwehrverhalten durch eine Epiduralanästhesie oder Schmerzmittel beeinflussen lassen. Material und Methoden: Zur Bewertung des Verhaltens von Kühen beim Säubern der Scham und während der vaginalen Untersu chung diente ein Avoidance Reactivity Score (ARS). Die Herzfrequenz (HF) von 10 Milchkühen wurde in der Ruhephase, vor, während und nach der vaginalen Untersuchung gemessen. Jede Kuh wurde dreimal untersucht: ohne Behandlung (CON), mit Epiduralanästhesie (EPID) und mit Schmerzmittel (NSAID). Die Dauer der Rückenkrümmung wurde während und nach der Untersuchung gemessen. Ergebnisse: Die Rückenkrümmung hielt in Gruppe EPID am kürzesten und in Gruppe CON am längsten an. Kühe der Gruppe EPID zeigten vor und während der Untersuchung gleichbleibende Abwehrreaktionen. Bei Kühen der Gruppe CON bestand die stärkste Abwehr, bei Kühen der Gruppe EPID die geringste. Die mittlere HF stieg beim Säubern der Scham und während der vaginalen Untersuchung an, danach fiel sie ab. Die mittlere HF differierte während der Untersuchung zwischen den Behandlungsgruppen nicht. Schlussfolgerung: Kühe zeigen während der vaginalen Untersuchung durch Abwehrreaktionen ein Unwohlsein und die HF steigt an. Trotz reduzierter Sensibilität im perivaginalen Bereich durch die Epiduralanästhesie wiesen die Tiere einen wenn auch verminderten Entleerungsreflex auf. Klinische Relevanz: In der Praxis gelten vaginale Routineuntersu chungen von Milchkühen nicht als invasiv. Unsere Resultate zeigen jedoch, dass Kühe während dieser Untersuchungen Unwohlsein spüren und ausdrücken. Wenngleich sich keine Hinweise auf eine Schmerzreaktion ergaben, sollte sich der Untersucher bewusst sein, dass die vaginale Untersuchung für die Kuh unangenehm ist, und diese daher mit größtmöglicher Sorgfalt durchführen.

Key words

Cattle - vaginal examination - behaviour - stress - animal welfare

Schlüsselwörter

Rind - vaginale Untersuchung - Verhalten - Stress - Tierschutz

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