- Dirk Albers, Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture
- MK Jones, Backensholz Farm herd management, Oster-Ohrstedt; Animal welfare pilot farm
- Dr. Ole Lamp, Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Agriculture
- Dr. Friederike Reinecke, Giessen Regional Council
- Prof. Dr. Klaus Reiter, Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture
- Dr. Theresa Scheu, Neumühle Farm Teaching and Research Centre for Livestock Farming
- Dr. Katharina Zipp, University of Kassel
● Julia Maischak-Dyck, Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen
● Caroline Leubner, Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen
- Dr Veronika Ibrahim, Hessian Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Agriculture and Consumer Protection
- Marc-Andre Kruse-Friedrich, DLG e.V.
- Marc Schneeweis, medianet Electronic Communication & Marketing GmbH
- Oliver Sahner, medianet Electronic Communication & Marketing GmbH
Funding note:
This document was produced as part of the collaborative project ‘Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl’, funding reference numbers 28N-4-013-01 to 28N-4-013-17, by the working group “Management of sick and injured cattle” of the Animal Welfare Competence Centre for Cattle, and methodologically and didactically adapted
by DLG e.V. and FiBL Deutschland e.V. The joint project of the Chambers of Agriculture and agricultural institutions across all federal states aims to improve the transfer of knowledge into practice in order to make cattle, pig and poultry farms fit for the future in terms of animal-welfare-friendly, environmentally sound and sustainable livestock farming.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture pursuant to a resolution of the German Bundestag.
All information and advice is provided without any warranty or liability.
Publisher
DLG e.V. Agricultural
Centre
Eschborner Landstraße 122
60489 Frankfurt am Main
FiBL Deutschland e.V. Animal Welfare
Division
Kasseler Straße 1a
60486 Frankfurt am Main
As of 08/2023
Reproduction and transmission of individual text sections, drawings or images (including for the purpose of lesson planning), as well as the provision of the information sheet in whole or in part for viewing or downloading by third parties, is permitted only with the prior authorisation of the relevant department of the Animal Welfare Competence Centre for Pigs and DLG e.V., Marketing Division, Tel. +49 69 24788-209, [email protected]
Introduction
Animal husbandry entails a responsibility to ensure that animals are able to lead a life appropriate to their species. Animal husbandry should create the conditions necessary to prevent pain, suffering and harm, and to ensure the animals’ welfare. Despite all efforts and precautions, illnesses and injuries can occur. This jeopardises the animals’ welfare and performance. Early detection of sick and injured cattle is therefore particularly important. It can minimise pain, suffering, injury and the risk of compromising animal welfare.
Once the sick animal has been identified, it is important to handle it in a targeted manner, adapted to the situation and, above all, to the animal’s condition. It is not always easy to decide how to proceed with the animal. This begins with assessing the severity of the illness or injury. Should the herd veterinarian be contacted? Does the animal need to be moved to a recovery pen? What are the chances of a quick recovery? What should be done if the prognosis for the further course of the illness is very poor? Can the animal be transported to the abattoir? Does the animal need to be euthanised, and in which cases would emergency slaughter be possible?
The following specialist information is intended to help identify problems at an early stage, make clear decisions and take the appropriate measures. Links to more detailed information on the individual topics are also provided.