BLGY1211 Basic concept of disease in animals and epidemiology
Animal welfare
The term ‘animal welfare’ is being used increasingly by corporations, consumers,
veterinarians, politicians and others veterinarians and farmers have seen animal
welfare chiefly in terms of the body and the physical environment (life time
experience)
Research on aspects of animal welfare has focused on the body using physiological
measures to examine how the animal is coping with its environment
One limitation is that genetics and the environment can produce desirable physical
outcome even though the animal’s mental state is compromised
Some physical parameters (heart rate, plasma cortisol) are difficult to interpret,
because they can be increased by both positive and negative experiences, such as
the presence of a mate and the presence of a predator
In defining animal welfare it is important to include the state of the animal’s body
and its feeling as life time experience
Feeling-based approach: animals welfare is best if they can live according to their
nature and perform their full range of behaviours and are free from physical
suffering, disease and fear
Welfare of domesticates/captive animals as defined by Farm Animal Welfare Council
is based on 5 freedoms;
Freedom from thirst and hunger – to maintain health and vigour
Freedom from discomfort – shelter and a comfortable resting area
Freedom from pain, injury and disease – prevention or rapid diagnosis and
treatment
Freedom to express normal behavior – sufficient space, proper facilities and
company of the animals own kind
Freedom from fear and distress – conditions and treatment which avoid
mental suffering
A person commits an offence under Animal Welfare Act if he/she does not take such
steps as are reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an
animal for which he is responsible are met to the extent required by good practice
Conditions must be treated or controlled and animal welfare cannot be
compromised
Basic concept of disease in animals
Disease is any departure from specified criteria of normality inability to perform
physiological functions at normal levels, provided nutrition and other environmental
requirements are provided at adequate levels
There are 2 or more factors that contribute towards the development of abnormality
or a disease;
A natural ecosystem; biological equilibrium, mixed species graze over
extensive areas (reduces pasture contamination), greater distances between
animals minimizes direct contact diseases (little airborne infection), low
production stress, predators cull the sick and old (prevents/reduces build up
of infection)
Animal welfare
The term ‘animal welfare’ is being used increasingly by corporations, consumers,
veterinarians, politicians and others veterinarians and farmers have seen animal
welfare chiefly in terms of the body and the physical environment (life time
experience)
Research on aspects of animal welfare has focused on the body using physiological
measures to examine how the animal is coping with its environment
One limitation is that genetics and the environment can produce desirable physical
outcome even though the animal’s mental state is compromised
Some physical parameters (heart rate, plasma cortisol) are difficult to interpret,
because they can be increased by both positive and negative experiences, such as
the presence of a mate and the presence of a predator
In defining animal welfare it is important to include the state of the animal’s body
and its feeling as life time experience
Feeling-based approach: animals welfare is best if they can live according to their
nature and perform their full range of behaviours and are free from physical
suffering, disease and fear
Welfare of domesticates/captive animals as defined by Farm Animal Welfare Council
is based on 5 freedoms;
Freedom from thirst and hunger – to maintain health and vigour
Freedom from discomfort – shelter and a comfortable resting area
Freedom from pain, injury and disease – prevention or rapid diagnosis and
treatment
Freedom to express normal behavior – sufficient space, proper facilities and
company of the animals own kind
Freedom from fear and distress – conditions and treatment which avoid
mental suffering
A person commits an offence under Animal Welfare Act if he/she does not take such
steps as are reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an
animal for which he is responsible are met to the extent required by good practice
Conditions must be treated or controlled and animal welfare cannot be
compromised
Basic concept of disease in animals
Disease is any departure from specified criteria of normality inability to perform
physiological functions at normal levels, provided nutrition and other environmental
requirements are provided at adequate levels
There are 2 or more factors that contribute towards the development of abnormality
or a disease;
A natural ecosystem; biological equilibrium, mixed species graze over
extensive areas (reduces pasture contamination), greater distances between
animals minimizes direct contact diseases (little airborne infection), low
production stress, predators cull the sick and old (prevents/reduces build up
of infection)
