Non-Ambulatory Cow Care
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Quality of life is a key consideration when evaluating animals in the hospital/special needs/chronic pens. If close attention is not paid, animals may be allowed to linger when treatments are not practical or unlikely to be effective, which can lead to increased suffering.
How to assess:
Review the non-ambulatory cow care protocol to confirm that AABP guidelines are being followed. At a minimum, this should include:
Non-ambulatory animals must be provided feed and fresh water throughout the day. The pen must be frequently bedded to ensure cleanliness and comfort, and animals must have shade from the sun and shelter from inclement weather.
This protocol must have been reviewed and signed by the VOR within the last 12 months.
Evidence that this protocol is being followed on the farm will be checked during the audit by interviewing an employee who performs these procedures and by visual confirmation that farm practices are consistent with the SOP.
- Method for moving non-ambulatory animals must be detailed; sleds, stone boats, and loaders are acceptable. Hip lifts may be used to facilitate the placement of a mat, sled, or rope to help raise or reposition non-ambulatory animals, but additional support around the chest/belly is needed. This instructional video by DairyNZ demonstrates the proper way to use a hip lift.
- Appropriate standards of care, including that non-ambulatory cattle will not be dragged by the head or any limb, or hit, kicked, or beaten with any object (critical criterion)
- Immediate removal of non-ambulatory animals from other ambulatory animals
- Plan for timely euthanasia of non-ambulatory animals that are severely suffering or deemed unsalvageable, and for treatment of animals that are treatable
Non-ambulatory animals must be provided feed and fresh water throughout the day. The pen must be frequently bedded to ensure cleanliness and comfort, and animals must have shade from the sun and shelter from inclement weather.
This protocol must have been reviewed and signed by the VOR within the last 12 months.
Evidence that this protocol is being followed on the farm will be checked during the audit by interviewing an employee who performs these procedures and by visual confirmation that farm practices are consistent with the SOP.
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This template is provided as a guideline; farms may write their own as long as minimum content (highlighted in blue) is met