WO2009074165A1

WO2009074165A1 - Method for performing operations on a piglet and system adapted for use in that method

Info

Publication number: WO2009074165A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/010801
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antoon Willem Johan Claessens
Original assignee: Antoon Willem Johan Claessens
Priority date: 2007-12-11
Filing date: 2007-12-11
Publication date: 2009-06-18

Abstract

The invention pertains to a method for performing operations on a piglet with a weight less than 10 kilos, the operations including giving the piglet an injection and at least one additional operation chosen from giving the piglet a second injection, providing the piglet with an identification-means, cutting off at least part of the tail of the piglet and gelding in case of a male piglet, by using a system comprising a transport line and multiple sequential operating stations operatively connected to that transport line, the method comprising general anaesthetising the piglet, positioning the anaesthetised piglet in a transport module of the system, fixing the piglet in the transport module, at a first operating station performing a first of the said operations on the piglet, and thereafter bringing the piglet to a second operating station by moving the transport module along the transport line while keeping the piglet fixed in the transport module, at the second operating station performing a second one of the said operations on the piglet, and optionally bringing the piglet to an optional third operating station by moving the module further along the transport line while keeping the piglet fixed in the transport module, for performing a third operation of the said operations on the piglet, de-fixing the piglet from the transport module, taking the piglet out of the transport module and leaving the piglet to recover from the general anaesthesia and come round. The invention also pertains to a system adapted for use in this method.

Description

Method for performing operations on a piglet and system adapted for use in that method

The present invention pertains to a method for performing operations on a piglet, the operations including giving the piglet an injection and at least one additional operation chosen from providing the piglet with an identification-means, cutting off at least part of the tail of the piglet and gelding in case of a male piglet. The invention also pertains to a system adapted for use in such a method.

Such a method is known from US 4,343,266 (Brian J. Moeller). In this method a piglet holding device is used comprising an upstanding stand having two different holding devices mounted thereon. One of the holding devices comprises a pair of upstanding Y- shaped forks. The forward fork is adapted to embrace the piglet, while lying upside down, around its neck behind the ears and the rearward Y-shaped fork is adapted to embrace the flanks of the pig. The second holding device comprises a pair of V-shaped members which have their V-shaped apexes pointing downwardly and towards one another. Each of the pig's hind legs is inserted into one of the V-shaped members so that the pig is suspended in a vertical position with his head down. In each of the two positions, several operations can be performed on the piglet by an operator of the device. This known method and device have several important disadvantages. Above all, the method is not very convenient for the animal, i.a. due to the fact that the animal should be replaced from the first holding device to the second one in between two operations carried out on the piglet. This gives rise to stress for the piglet which is ethically as well as economically not advantageous. Moreover, the known method is quite hard to carry out for an operator, i.a. because he has to replace the piglet in between two operations.

From US 4,407,232 (Gerald J. Konz) an alternative method is known which at least partly overcomes these disadvantages. In this method an immobilisation apparatus is being used, which apparatus is able to accommodate different animal sizes to permit an unassisted operator to perform various animal treatments such as gelding (castration), inoculating (giving an injection), providing the piglet with an identification means such as e.g. an ID-tag (mostly in the ear), an ID-chip (mostly subcutaneously in the neck), a tattoo, a branding, or any other operation. Each successive piglet is placed supinely within the apparatus cradle that is frontal Iy equipped with a canopy restricting the piglet's head. The immobilised piglet is pressed forwardly by applying parallel inclined rails. The animal is therefore completely restrained from movement and can be operated upon without any movements during one or more operations. This method however also seriously suffers from imposing stress on the piglet. Next to this, given the complexity of the apparatus it requires relatively elaborate operator intervention which makes this method inherently slow and thus economically less attractive.

The object of the present invention is to overcome, or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the known methods for performing multiple operations on a piglet. To this end, a method according to the preamble has been devised, which method is particularly suitable for treating piglets with a weight less than 10 kilos, in which method optionally another injection is given and wherein a system is used comprising a transport line and multiple sequential operating stations operatively connected to that transport line, the method further comprising general anaesthetising the piglet, positioning the anaesthetised piglet in a transport module of the system, fixing the piglet in the transport module, at a first operating station performing a first of the said operations on the piglet, and thereafter bringing the piglet to a second operating station by moving the transport module along the transport line while keeping the piglet fixed in the transport module, at the second operating station performing a second one of the said operations on the piglet, and optionally bringing the piglet to an optional third operating station by moving the module further along the transport line while keeping the piglet fixed in the transport module, for performing a third operation of the said operations on the piglet, de-fixing the piglet from the transport module, taking the piglet out of the transport module, leaving the piglet to recover from the general anaesthesia and come round.

The present invention is based i.a. on the recognition that for obtaining a reliable, but fast and yet animal friendly, a dedicated system has to be used. Therefore, the present method is not devised to treat all kinds of animals and animal sizes, but only piglets with a weight less than 10 kilos, typically between 1 and 3 kilos. An important aspect of the invention is that a system is being used that comprises multiple operating stations for performing the various operations, and that the piglet is transported between these stations while being kept fixed in its transport module. This not only reduces the required operator intervention, but also provides the opportunity to devise dedicated operating stations. Using only one operating station means that all operations should be performed at the same station. In particular in case of very different operations to be performed, this leads to a greater amount of mistakes or faults being made. Another very important aspect of the invention is that the piglet undergoes general anaesthesia before the operations are carried out. This not only mitigates the prior art problem of stress in the animal, but also reduces handling difficulties for the operator. Moreover, general anaesthesia has proven to result in a greater reliability in the giving of the injection. In the present method, the injection preferably (but not necessarily) is given automatically (i.e. without operator intervention during the injection itself). Next to advantageously reducing operator time, this appears to increase reliability of the method. Although automatic injection has shown to be far less reliable in art known methods were the piglets are not general anaesthetised, it appears that in combination with general anaesthesia a very reliable way of injection can be provided. It is noted that the term "operatively connected" means that the operating station is adjacent the transport line such that the piglet that is fixed in the transport module can be operated upon at the operating station. Adjacent in this sense means that the operating station could be physically connected to the transport line, or could just be close enough (for example contiguous to the transport line or enclosing the transport line) for the operation to take place.

In practice, a piglet is firstly anaesthetised (by whatever means as commonly known from the prior art, e.g. by applying an electric shock or giving a sedative medicament), and then positioned in the transport module and its position is fixed in that module. It may be that the module is already adjacent or in the first operating station when the piglet is positioned in the transport module. Alternatively positioning and fixing of the piglet take place remotely from the first operating station, where-after the piglet is transported to the first operating station by moving the transport module along the transport line until the piglet is positioned at the first operating station. At that station a first one of the mentioned operations is being performed on the piglet, e.g. the (automatic) giving of the injection. Optionally another operation is performed at the first station, this operation being either an operation chosen out of the ones as described in the preamble of this specification, or another operation, such as disinfecting a part or the whole piglet. Desinfection might also be accomplished directly before a piglet is moved to an operating station, e.g. by spraying a disinfectant at the site of the piglet to be treated in the operating station. In an embodiment the piglet receives a topical disinfectant before an operation is carried out, in particular in between the operating stations. When the operation (or operations) has been carried out at the first station, the piglet is moved to the second operating station by moving the transport module (still holding the piglet) to that second station. At that station the second operation is carried out, and optionally one or more other operations. When all necessary operations are carried out, the piglet is de-fixed from the transport module, taken out of the transport module, and left to recover from the general anaesthesia and come round. Optionally an antidote is given to stimulate the recovery process.

In an embodiment the general anaesthetizing is provided by using an anaesthetising gas. This is advantageous since it can be done with little or no operator intervention, is safe, efficacious and induces little or no stress in the animal. Preferably a carbon dioxide based gas is used since such gas is generally safe and does not require the operator to be a licensed veterinarian or other licensed operator (see Br. J. Anaesth.. 1926; 4: 92- 99). Moreover, after use such a gas (e.g. a mixture of approximately 70% CO₂ and 30% O₂) can often be simply dispensed with by releasing it in the open air or even in a sufficiently ventilated room.

In another embodiment the anaesthetised piglet is positioned by placing the piglet against a datum that has a predetermined position in the transport line. This increases the reliability of the present method, in particular with regard to the automatic injection operation. By ensuring the piglet has a predetermined position with respect to the transport line, any automatic operation can be achieved with sufficient reliability.

In an embodiment the fixing of the piglet is accomplished by grasping the piglet between two grasping elements, wherein the force at which the elements are pushed against the piglet's body is pressure limited. By introducing a pressure limitation, it appears that less physical discomfort is introduced to the piglet. The pressure limitation could for example be achieved by using a pressure sensor at the grasping surface of one or both of the grasping elements. In a further embodiment the elements have a concave inner surface with respect to the grasped piglet. This contributes to the object of inducing less physical stress in the piglet. It is noted that the concave inner surface in the sense of this embodiment could also be obtained while fixing the piglet, e.g. by deforming a compliant lining material of the grasping elements. In yet a further embodiment, the grasping elements are removably connected to the system, wherein the grasping elements that are connected to the system are chosen to have a size and shape such that the surface of each grasping element is substantially completely in contact with a part of the piglet's circumference. Typically the length of the grasping elements will be between 20 and 40 cm for piglets between 1 and 10 kilos. This embodiment has several advantages. The first is that the despite the grasping elements being present at the circumference of the piglet, enough working surface of the piglet can remain uncovered for performing various operations even at one operating station. Also, in this embodiment, since in essence the complete surface of the grasping elements is in contact with the piglet, the pressure limitation can be very simply achieved by using a maximum force at which the elements are pressed against the piglet.

In an embodiment the injection is given via a needle-less injector, for example the injector as known from WO 2007/089727 or WO 2007/103042. Such injection increases the reliability of the present method and the ease of operation. When using a conventional syringe, the needle has to be cleaned between every inoculation. With a needle-less injection, this is no longer the case. Also, needle-less injection provides less physical discomfort to the animal, if any.

In an embodiment either the providing of the piglet with an ID-tag, or the cutting off of at least part of the tail of the piglet, or both of these operations, are carried out automatically. This increases the ease of operation, requires even less operator intervention and thus increases the reliability of the present method. However, operator handling is optionally provided in an embodiment wherein the positioning of the anaesthetised piglet in the transport module, and optionally the taking out of the module is done by an operator of the system. This appears to contribute to less physical stress for the piglet.

In an embodiment the general anaesthesia is carried out in a substantially closed box that forms a part of the system. By using a box, sufficient safety can be provided for the operator. Integration of the box in the system adds to the ease of use. It is noted that the present invention also pertains to a system that is adapted for use in the method as outlined here-above. This system, as well as its use, will be further explained by illustration of the following specific embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 schematically shows a front view of a system adapted for performing operations on a piglet according to the present invention

Figure 2 schematically shows a rear view of the system as depicted in figure 1.

Example 1 describes a particular embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Figure 1

In figure 1 , a system 1 adapted for performing operations on a piglet 10 according to the present invention is schematically shown. The system comprises a frame 2 that is supported by wheels 3 such that the system is conveniently movably over a surface, e.g. a corridor in a pig stable. The frame has handlebars 4 for easy handling by an operator. A compressor 14 is placed on the frame. This compressor is used for providing pneumatic power to various parts of the system. The system in this particular embodiment is provided with a box for general anaesthetising the piglets 10. In figure 1 the box is shown in an open configuration, which allows putting piglets in and out of the box. The box however can be provided with a lid such that the box is gas tight. The system at its centre is provided with an inclined working surface 40. The surface is provided with a transport line 19, in this case a railing which is schematically depicted in figure 1. Connected to the railing are four transport modules 14. Each transport module 14 comprises a hinge 15 (which also serves as a datum for positioning a piglet in the module). Resiliently connected to the hinge 15 are two grasping elements 11 and 12. These elements can be forced to move away from each other (wherein element 15 serves as the hinge), such that the module 14 opens for positioning a piglet therein. The grasping elements are provided with inner lining elements 13. These elements 13 are made of a hard but resilient foam. The length of the module in this embodiment is about 25-30 cm. This corresponds to piglets of 2,5 to 3 kg. Adjacent the working surface is a first operating station 16, which station is devised to automatically give piglet 10 an injection. For this, needle-less injector 20 is used. The injection fluid, in this case a vaccine against an infectious disease, is led to the injector via tube 21 and originates from bottle 22. Optionally, the piglet is given a second or even third injection by using the same or other injectors (not shown). A second operating station 17 is devised for automatically providing the piglet with an ID-tag 32 in its left ear. The tags are brought to station 17 in the form of a working tape that is wound on roll 30. The empty tape is wound on reel 31. The tags are put in the left ears by using an automatic pierce gun (not shown) which is pneumatically operated (such guns are commercially available, but standard mechanically operated ID tag pliers can be used, which pliers can be converted to be pneumatically operated). The system in this particular configuration is provided with a third operating station 18, which station is devised to automatically cut off the tail 6 of a piglet. For this, the station 18 comprises a brush 40 to grasp and stretch the tail 6, and a knife 41. The system is also provided with a recovery box 50.

Figure 2

Figure 2 schematically shows a rear view of the system as depicted in figure 1. In this view gas bottles 51 and 52 can be seen. These bottles contain an anaesthetising gas, in this case isoflurane (obtainable under the trade name Forane from Abott Laboratories). Bottle 51 is connected to box 5 via a gas tight tubing (not shown). Bottle 52 is a spare bottle. Other elements of system 1 are already described here-above. The system has a length of about 100 cm and a width of 55 cm. The total height is about 170 cm. The system is made using polished stainless steel and smooth non-stick plastic (with a high fluorine content, in this case PTFE). All operating elements such as the injector, pierce gun, tail brush and knife, transport module etc. are removably connected to the system for easy cleaning and maintenance purposes. Next to this, removable connection allows the system to be adapted to fulfil particular needs. For example, if multiple injections are to be given, it can be decided to provide two injectors at two different operating stations.

Example 1

In this example a particular embodiment of the method according to the invention will be described. Firstly, multiple piglets are placed in box 5. Then the box is closed and the anaesthetising gas is led into the box. When the piglets are anaesthetised, the gas is sucked out of the box and led into a recovery means absorbing the gas (means not shown), in this case a box filled with active carbon. After that, the box is opened and the first piglet is manually positioned in the lower left transport module by slightly pushing the nose of the piglet against datum 15. After that, the piglet is fixed by moving grasping elements 11 and 12 towards the piglet. The elements are moved by using pneumatic driving as is commonly known in the art. The force at which the elements are pushed against the piglet is limited by limiting the pneumatic driving force. Since the lining 13 of the grasping elements neatly encloses the piglet's circumference, this force limitation in fact results in a pressure limitation with regard to the piglet. After fixing of the piglet, male piglets can be manually castrated when being in the lower left position (in this case, this position is regarded as being "at the first operating station"). This position is ideal for such an operation since no other operations are to be carried out at this position. After fixing, the transport module is moved along transport line 19 to operating station 16, which in case that castrating does not take place in the lower left position is called the first operating station. At this station, the piglet receives its inoculation. At the same time, a second piglet is positioned and fixed in another transport module which is then and the lower left position. When the first piglet has received its inoculation(s) at station 16, this piglet is moved to the second operating station 17. At the same time, the second piglet is moved to the first operating system, and also, a third piglet can be loaded in the system at the lower left position at the working surface. The first piglet is then provided with an ID-tag 32 in its left ear. Since the piglet is positioned very precisely in the transport module, it is not needed to use an optical or mechanical positioning device to the ID-tag gun (gun not shown). The gun is simply moved to the same position each time when an ID tag should be pierced into a piglet's ear. Ear tags are supplied by unwinding a tape provided with ear-tags from reel 30. After tagging the piglet, he or she is moved to the third operating station 18. Again, at the same time the other piglets are moved to their respective operating stations and a new piglet is loaded into a next transport module. It is noted that in between operating stations 17 and 18, the piglet is provided with a topical disinfectant by using an automatic spray gun (not shown). This gun is directed at the rear side of the piglet. At station 18 the tail 6 of the piglet is grasped and stretched by brush 40. After stretching the tail is cut off by using knife 41. Optionally, male piglets can be castrated at this operating station 18 (in stead of at the beginning of line 19). In this case it is preferred to have an automatic castration unit (not shown) since this site will in practice be shielded off for an operator because of the presence of the knife 41. After being operated upon in station 18, the piglet is de- fixed by opening the transport module, and the piglet is manually placed in recovery box 50. In this box, the piglet is left to come round. Then, the piglet is put back into its stable. This way, it is possible to treat up to 300 piglets (or even more) per hour with minimum operator intervention.

Claims

1. A method for performing operations on a piglet (10) with a weight less than 10 kilos, the operations including giving the piglet (10) an injection and at least one additional operation chosen from giving a second injection, providing the piglet with an identification-means (32), cutting off at least part of the tail (6) of the piglet (10) and gelding in case of a male piglet (10), by using a system (1) comprising a transport line (19) and multiple sequential operating stations (16, 17, 18) operatively connected to that transport line (19), the method comprising: - general anaesthetising the piglet (10),

- positioning the anaesthetised piglet (10) in a transport module (14) of the system (1 ),

- fixing the piglet (10) in the transport module (14),

- at a first operating station (16) performing a first of the said operations on the piglet (10), and thereafter - bringing the piglet (10) to a second operating station (17) by moving the transport module (14) along the transport line (19) while keeping the piglet (10) fixed in the transport module (14),

- at the second operating station (17) performing a second one of the said operations on the piglet (10), and optionally bringing the piglet (10) to an optional third operating station (18) by moving the module (14) further along the transport line (19) while keeping the piglet (10) fixed in the transport module (14), for performing a third operation of the said operations on the piglet (10),

- de-fixing the piglet (10) from the transport module (14),

- taking the piglet (10) out of the transport module (14), - leaving the piglet (10) to recover from the general anaesthesia and come round.

2. A method according to claim 1 , characterised in that the general anaesthetizing is provided by using an anaesthetising gas.

3. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the anaesthetised piglet (10) is positioned by placing the piglet against a datum (15) that has a predetermined position in the transport line (19).

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing of the piglet (10) is accomplished by grasping the piglet (10) between two grasping elements (11 , 12), characterised in that the force at which the elements are pushed against the piglet's body is pressure limited.

5. A method according to claim 4, characterised that the elements (11, 12) have a concave inner surface (13) with respect to the grasped piglet (10).

6. A method according to any of the claims 4 and 5, wherein the grasping elements (11 , 12) are removably connected to the system (1 ), characterised in that the grasping elements (11 , 12) that are connected to the system (1 ) are chosen to have a size and shape such that the surface of each grasping element (11 , 12) is substantially completely in contact with a part of the piglet's circumference.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the piglet (10) receives a topical disinfectant before an operation is carried out, in particular in between the operating stations (16, 17, 18).

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the injection is given via a needle-less injector (20).

9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that either the providing of the piglet with an ID-tag (32), or the cutting off at least part of the tail (6) of the piglet, or both of these operations, are carried out automatically.

10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the positioning of the anaesthetised piglet (10) in the transport module (14), and optionally the taking out of the module (14) is done by an operator of the system (1).

11. A method according to any of the claims 2 to 10, characterised in that the general anaesthesia is carried out in a substantially closed box (5) that forms a part of the system (1).

12. A system (1) as defined in any of the preceding claims.