OVMA Handbooks
Issue link: https://publications.ovma.org/i/571762
OVMA 420 Bronte Street South, Suite 205, Milton, Ontario L9T 0H9 T. 905.875.0756 or 1.800.670.1702 (toll-free) F. 905.875.0958 or 1.877.482.5941 (toll-free) info@ovma.org www.ovma.org i. The animal is eating and drinking adequate quantities. ii. The animal is maintaining body condition. iii. There is no evidence of undue suffering or distress. d) Disposition of Recumbent Animals Where there is a persistent lack of response to treatment, or the veterinarian deems that continuation of treatment would be inhumane, a prompt decision should be made on the disposition of the animal: i. Where the animal is not fit for slaughter, the veterinarian must advise that the animal be euthanized in a humane fashion. ii. Where the animal is fit for slaughter, it should be transported directly to the slaughter plant in a manner that minimizes pain and distress to the animal. e) Recommendations i. An identification system for recumbent animals should be developed to ensure that these animals can be tracked following removal from the farm. ii. There could be a special identification tag that would be the responsibility of veterinarians to attach to affected animals to ensure proper processing, and prevent substandard meat from being used for human consumption. Appendix 1 The apparatus or equipment for moving recumbent animals and the techniques used will vary with the size and weight of the animals involved (Some examples are listed below). The animals must be restrained by straps, ropes, or by hand, to prevent injury. Adequate help is a pre-requisite. Smaller animals may be loaded onto: a) a modified two-wheeled hand cart that has a large platform; b) a wheel barrow; c) the bucket of a front-end loader or skid steer; d) a canvas tarp that can be lifted by the corners; Larger animals may be moved by: a) rolling them onto a piece of conveyor belt, stone boat, sheet of plywood, or canvas that has a tow cable attached to the ends, that will enable it to be towed or winched; b) rolling onto a reinforced steel or wood pallet and then lifted and moved by a forklift; c) specialized hoists such as a "Cow Caddy" that has a steel framework that is placed on either side of the animal - the animal is then winched up by the suspending belts under the chest and abdomen - the wheels of the frame allow the animal to be rolled along. (September 15, 1993 Board)