End‐of‐life decision‐making of dairy cattle and calves: A survey of British farmers and veterinary surgeons

ABSTRACT: Abstract

Background

The study aim was to characterise issues faced by farmers and veterinary surgeons when making end‐of‐life decisions for dairy cattle.

Methods

Online surveys were distributed to British dairy farmers and veterinary surgeons for 20 weeks from November 2020.

Results

There were 83 responses (37 farmers, 46 veterinary surgeons). Among youngstock, the risk of unassisted/natural death (2.6% ± 0.3%) was almost double the risk of euthanasia (1.4% ± 0.3%; p = 0.003). The opposite, however, was true in the milking herd: the risk of euthanasia (2.3% ± 0.3%) was greater than unassisted/natural death (1.6% ± 0.2%; p = 0.05). A fallen stock collector (62%) typically performed euthanasia and most farms (66%) did not have anyone trained to perform euthanasia.

SUBMITTER: Neary J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9695751 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature