Zusammenfassung Ziel Untersuchung von Abwehrreaktionen, Ferkelverlusten und Aufwachphase unter automatisierter Isoflurannarkose kastrierter Saugferkel, Erhebung von Isoflurankonzentrationen in der Umgebung sowie des Erfolgs von Reinigung und Desinfektion der Narkosemasken. Material und Methoden Insgesamt 955 männliche Saugferkel (Alter 4,0 ± 1,2 Tage; Gewicht 2,0 ± 0,5 kg) aus 5 Abferkeldurchgängen (DG) wurden nach Applikation eines nicht steroidalen Antiphlogistikums unter Isoflurannarkose (PorcAnest 3000®) kastriert. Zur Beurteilung von Reaktionen der Tiere dienten der Zwischenklauenreflex vor sowie Abwehrbewegungen und Lautäußerungen während der Kastration. Die Aufwachphase wurde im Stallgang (DG 1) bzw. in der Abferkelbucht (DG 4–5) evaluiert. Bei 73 Tieren wurde der Samenstrang mit dem Skalpell abgesetzt und Nachblutungen visuell überprüft. Isofluranmessungen fanden an verschiedenen Lokalisationen statt. Die Narkosemasken wurden vor und nach der Anwendung sowie nach Desinfektion auf Gesamtkeimbelastung und Indikatorkeime untersucht. Ergebnisse Bei der Kastration wiesen 94,3 % der Saugferkel nach der Einleitungszeit von 90 Sekunden und 95,3 % der Ferkel mit vorheriger Testung des Zwischenklauenreflexes und gegebenenfalls Verlängerung der Isofluranzufuhr keine oder nur eine kurze Abwehrbewegung auf. Bei 0,9 % der Ferkel trat ein Narkosezwischenfall auf, kein Tier verendete. Die Aufwachphase dauerte 7,3 ± 4,7 Minuten (DG 1) bzw. 6,2 ± 3,3 Minuten (DG 4–5). Das Absetzen des Samenstrangs mittels Skalpells führte zu einem höheren Nachblutungsscore (p < 0,001) als die Anwendung des Emaskulators. Die Isoflurankonzentrationen in der Umgebungsluft lagen zwischen 4,5 und 28,1 mg/m3. Die Maskendesinfektion reduzierte die Gesamtkeimzahl um 99,8 %. Kontaminationen mit Escherichia coli und MRSA waren in 4 von 6 Fällen nach Desinfektion nicht mehr nachweisbar. Schlussfolgerung Die Isoflurannarkose führte bei über 94 % der Ferkel zu keiner bzw. einer geringgradigen Abwehrreaktion während der Kastration. Narkosezwischenfälle waren selten und hatten keine vermehrten Ferkelverluste zur Folge. Somit ist die automatisierte Isoflurannarkose bei sorgfältiger Anwendung mit einem geringen Risiko für die Saugferkel verbunden. Die Isoflurankonzentration in der Atemluft der beteiligten Personen lag unter dem international niedrigsten Grenzwert. Die Desinfektion der Narkosemasken könnte eine Keimübertragung zwischen Tiergruppen über diesen potenziellen Vektor verhindern.

By means of the new AFS-3D method the same count of diseased fetuses was detected compared with prior screening tests. Simultaneously, expectant mothers were spared from unnecessary invasive diagnostics in 65 % of the cases. The choice of an altered cut-off or other volume shapes are feasible and should be examined in further studies.

Background Since 01.01.2021, suckling piglets may no longer be castrated without anaesthesia in Germany. Previous studies showed castration using isoflurane anaesthesia in combination with a suitable analgesic, meet the requirements of the German Animal Welfare Act. It can be carried out independently by farmers and other qualified persons with an automated and certified isoflurane device. Therefore, the aim of the present field study was to implement the use of three different anaesthetic devices for surgical castration of male piglets under automated isoflurane anaesthesia on 15 conventional pig farms in southern Germany. In addition, the depth of anaesthesia based on defensive movements, the labour time required in contrast to anaesthetic-free castration, castration-related anaesthetic incidents and the piglet mortality rate as well as occupational safety were investigated. For this purpose, farrowing batches of 11,574 piglets castrated under isoflurane anaesthesia (IA) were compared with the results of the 1568 piglets of anaesthetic-free farrowing batches (AF). Results In total, 80.1% of the castrated piglets showed sufficient depth of anaesthesia, although this varied significantly between devices. 1.7% of the piglets suffered an anaesthetic incident, of which 0.1% died during or within 24 h after anaesthesia. The required time for the complete working process differed significantly between AF (1.7 ± 0.8 min/piglet) and IA batches (2.2 ± 0.8 min/piglet) but not for castration itself. The mean isoflurane consumption was 0.57 ± 0.27 ml/piglet and differed significantly between the devices (p < 0.001). The isoflurane concentration in the ambient air of the person-related workplace safety measurements was below the internationally lowest value of 15 mg/m3 from Ontario and Israel. Conclusion In conclusion, 2 of the 3 types of devices used, a sufficient depth of anaesthesia during castration under isoflurane was achieved in 85% of castrated piglets. Anaesthetic incidents occurred in 1.7% of the animals, of which 0.1% died. Castration under isoflurane is more time-consuming than anaesthetic-free castration, but the castration time itself did not differ significantly. The occupational exposure limits were below the internationally lowest limit value of 15 mg/m3 for the persons involved. Even though castration under isoflurane is more time consuming than anaesthetic-free castration, it is a well-establishable method for practice and a dear improvement for animal welfare.

This paper aimed to assess the success of cleaning and disinfection on microbiological contamination of anesthetic masks, which were used for automated isoflurane anesthesia for surgical castration of male piglets. Data collection took place on 11 farms in Southern Germany between September 2020 and June 2022. Each farm was visited three times (one farm having two different anesthesia devices was visited six times), and microbiological assessments took place at four sample points (SP): after unpacking the masks (SP0), after disinfection before anesthesia (SP1), after anesthesia of all piglets to be castrated in this run (SP2), and after disinfection after anesthesia (SP3). The microbiological assessment included the determination of total bacteria count, total count of hemolytic and non-hemolytic mesophilic aerotolerant bacteria and a qualitative detection of indicator bacteria Escherichia (E.) coli, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). For analysis, a generalized linear mixed model was applied using farms and farm visits as random effects and sampling points nested in farm visits as fixed effect. The fixed effect was highly significant for all three variables (total bacteria count, total count of hemolytic and non-hemolytic mesophilic aerotolerant bacteria) (p < 0.001). The bacterial counts at SP0 were about the same as at SP3. Concerning indicator bacteria, their presence was highest at SP2 and lowest at SP3. No indicator bacteria were present at SP1. It can be concluded that disinfection of anesthetic masks, especially before performing anesthesia, may effectively protect piglets of the following batch against unwanted transmission of pathogens. These findings will help farmers plan cleaning and disinfection activities.