Applied Animal Behaviour Science 59 1998.

9399

Animal welfare in practice

J.S.J. Odendaal
) Department of Veterinary Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Uniersity of Pretoria, Priate Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa

Abstract Too often, veterinary services in practice are perceived as making a diagnosis, applying or administering effective treatment and that recovery from a disease or injury is an indication of success. However, to be fully responsive to their patients welfare, veterinarians should view each patient in the context of its total environment. Enhancing animal welfare and well-being in practice requires evaluation of the animals interaction with their daily surroundings as an integral part of clinical medicine. Animal health in this sense would be to create an equilibrium between the animal and its environment. A clinical diagnosis alone can be described as the smaller diagnosis, while a contextual diagnosis can be described as the larger diagnosis. The linear approach of diagnosis, treatment, success should be changed to the holistic approach of comprehensive care. Only then can veterinarians claim that they pursued fully their patients welfare as part of everyday practice. q 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Animal welfare; Veterinary practice; Contextual diagnosis

1. Introduction A paradoxical perception previously existed, in which veterinary services were viewed as less than fully compatible with animal welfare Tannenbaum, 1986.. The main reason for this view was that the veterinary approach was seen in the positivistic sense of absolute objectivity and mechanistic of nature, while the welfare approach was described as emotional and sentimental Odendaal, 1994.. Perceptions have, however, changed with regard to science in general Arnold, 1992; Bateson, 1979; Capra, 1982; Prigogini and Stengers, 1984.. It was acknowledged that the human forms an integral part of the human product, called science. These developments also affected veterinarians, mainly by recognizing human needs in veterinary services De Groot, 1984;
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Odendaal, 1992.. As with all new directions, change is a process and it will take time to grasp the full implication of the paradigm shift in which veterinary science is beginning to operate. For example, ideas do not necessarily concur with the activities of everyday practice. A busy practitioner often attempts to determine the problem as quickly as possible in order to apply an effective treatment. In this way more, time can be created for a minority of more complex cases. This type of service has earned itself the negative connotation of inspect diagnosis., inject treat. and collect success.. Such services only reinforce perceptions that veterinarians are not truly committed to the patients welfare, but to a disease or trauma condition only. 2. Contextual diagnosis An animal welfare approach in practice considers the patient as a whole and it evaluates the animal in relation to its environment as well. In contrast to a clinical diagnosis, which deals with a problem, a contextual diagnosis deals with a problem, in a specific context. In a certain sense, one can refer to the narrow type of clinical diagnosis as the smaller diagnosis and the contextual diagnosis as the larger diagnosis. It could waste a lot of time if the context of a problem in practice is considered for every case, because a number of influences and interactions between animal and environment should now be added to the initial diagnosis. A solution to this valid concern is to develop a systematic evaluation system with regard to environmental factors, in very

Fig. 1. Contextual diagnosis.

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much the same way as clinical examinations are done. The systematic approach saves time and it prevents a busy practitioner from missing potentially important issues. A way to develop such an analysis is to place the patient as a whole, and not the problem, in the centre of a specific interacting environment. From this model, the veterinarian can ensure that all the animals needs are fulfilled as part of solving the problem or preventing a problem in the future. Finding the balance between an animals needs and a specific environment is thus, equal to enhancing the animals welfare and well-being. In general terms, it can be described as the animals management and care as related to its physical and mental health Fig. 1.. 3. Humananimal interaction It seems that the human as an inherent part of veterinary practice was only studied during the late eighties Bergler, 1988; Case, 1988; Odendaal and Weyers, 1990.. However, a pioneer in this field, Jacob Antelyes has been spreading the message since the sixties Antelyes, 1967.. Humans play a determining role in the selection and care of domesticated animals and these processes should be considered closely linked to animal welfare. It is animal owners clients. who will decide if and to what extent veterinary services are necessary. When veterinary advice is given, it will also depend on the owner if and how meticulously the advice will be followed. Follow-up consultations on the same animal will also be determined by the owner. The importance of the human in the animals welfare places a new responsibility on the veterinarians with regard to their veterinarianclient relationships. Unfortunately, in a busy practice the time available for visitations may preclude meaningful consultations. Veterinarians are, however, obliged to inform their clients about the clinical diagnosis, its cause, prevention and prevalence, reasons for tests and treatments, a prognosis and how to deal with the animals problem in relation to the animals usual environment. No veterinarian should underestimate the contribution a proper consultation can make towards the welfare of the animal. The following factors, which may flow from consultations, will also indicate in other ways human involvement in animal care. 4. Selection of breeding animals Domestication is an on-going process that was not completed millennia ago. Humans still select animals to make them more suitable and useful for human environments. Selection is usually aimed at improved reproduction, better production and performance. Aiming for maximums by genetic selection can cause side-effects which are detrimental to the animals. From a health point of view, selection should be based on the animal as a whole and not on extreme characteristics. A balance between form, function and temperament should provide animals which are better adapted to their environments. To prevent the side-effects of selection for maximum production and performance, one should rather aim for optimum traits in breeding animals. Better adaptation abilities and optimal function contribute to the animals welfare and well-being Hammond et al., 1992; Willis, 1992..

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5. Nutrition Domestic animals do not look for food, because they are provided with nutrition by the owner. This applies to extensive as well as intensive nutrition. Factors such as over-grazing, the handling, storage, preparation, choice, quantity and quality of food, may all have an effect on the animals health. Owners may choose to prepare non-commercial food, which may be neither analyzed nor balanced. Food may influence animals production, reproduction, growth and performance and thus, intrinsically forms part of the animals welfare Bondi, 1987..

6. Life spaces For financial reasons, animal owners often use the minimum space to keep animals. It is important to plan for animals life spaces according to species, breed, age and gender. Safe spaces, social spaces and exercise spaces should be considered in order to decrease stress and to prevent frustration and even aggression. Lack of suitable space can decrease the animals quality of life to a great extent Hart, 1985; Houpt, 1991..

7. Training Training of animals is the owners responsibility and can prevent a feeling of insecurity in the animal. The owners involvement in training can also improve humananimal relationships, provided the correct methods are used. The training of animals is not necessarily an advanced learning process, but could be as basic as the establishment of routines. It is not the idea to routinize the animals whole existence in such a way that all novel experiences are excluded. The goal is to regulate specific activities like feeding, milking and exercise times. If these events are predictable to the animal, this may enhance its well-being Kilcommons, 1992..

8. Social needs The social needs of animals are not always taken into account by their keepers. In breeding units, for example, the management of heterogenous and homogenous groups at the right times during the reproduction cycle will decrease stress. Where many animals are kept for shorter periods, such as in kennels, pet shops, quarantine areas, animal hospitals, SPCAs, shows and auctions, incompatible animals should be kept apart to avoid unnecessary excitement, fear or aggression. Another social problem, especially among companion animals, is the lack of social interaction. Social tension could harm the animals well-being and cause abnormal behaviour patterns Zayon and Dantzer, 1990..

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9. Environmental enrichment Apart from social needs, animals may also need other stimuli from their environment to create a better quality of life. Humans sometimes create environments for animals from their perspective, instead of according to the animals needs. A variety of stimuli affecting all the senses, viz sound, colour, touch, smell and taste, should be available. Excessive stimuli may be just as negative as a lack of stimuli. Environmental enrichment by supplying interesting objects and variation, will provide fulfilment of investigatory and relaxation needs. It improves the animals well-being by combating boredom, especially when kept single Fernandez et al., 1993..

10. Hygiene Intensive animal systems should plan ahead to keep animals environments hygienic. This is not only important for the animals welfare, but also for human health. Hygiene plays a significant role in the prevention of disease and therefore, vaccinations and parasite control could be seen as part of the animals hygienic care. Some animals also need hygienic body care and if the animals welfare is at stake, all these care activities should be provided Sainsbury and Sainsbury, 1988..

11. Transport of animals Domestic animals are regularly transported by humans and incorrect means and methods of transport may seriously affect the animals welfare. The needs of various species in this regard, are important and should especially be considered when a number of animals are transported together. Factors such as physical space, distance of travel, means of travel, road conditions, the weather, duration of travel, loading and off-loading facilities, backup services in case of vehicle breakdown, planned stop-overs and the provision of water and food where applicable, must be considered. Veterinarians should provide input regarding the animals welfare before transport of animals is to take place Grandin, 1993..

12. Breeding facilities Owners establishing animal breeding programs should obtain the necessary information regarding their animals reproductive behavioural needs. If breeding is well planned, well managed and provided for with suitable facilities, poor reproductive results due to stress may be prevented. The degree of human interference with matings, partus and young animals must also be considered from a welfare perspective Blakely and Bade, 1994..

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13. Handling facilities Poor or non-extent handling facilities for animals, have led to many animal and human injuries. Facilities should be suitable for a specific species, and veterinarians should consult with animal owners about the design of appropriate facilities. Veterinarians working with animals, using the proper facilities, enhance their professional image. A reckless approach is unsuitable for veterinarians, as well as the animals Grandin, 1993..

14. Housing facilities Suitable housing facilities can fulfill animals comfort or shelter-seeking needs. Such facilities should again be erected according to species, breed and even individual needs. It is unacceptable to merely build a human house for an animal. The design of animal housing should be based on ethological principles Watkes and Charles, 1994..

15. Summary If a perception of a linear approach of diagnosis, treatment and success exists regarding veterinary practice, it needs to be changed. It is important that modern practitioners provide their patients with a holistic approach of comprehensive care, by including a contextual diagnosis. Only then can veterinarians claim to be fully responsive to their patients welfare and well-being as part of their everyday practice.

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