VSAEC Approved Activity



|VSAEC Approved Activity |

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|SHEEP – Non-invasive measurement of pulse or blood flow |

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|Approval No: 14222012 |

|Approval Date: 27/08/2012 |

|Date of Next Review: 27/08/2015 |

Date: Date of Next Review:

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|Student learning outcomes: To learn the correct anatomical position and technique for assessing pulse rate and quality|Health considerations |

|in sheep. Normal values should be learned, and possible reasons for departure from these (e.g. physical exertion) |A discussion of standards of hygiene is essential in light of potential zoonotic disease transmission. The Department |

|discussed. |of Primary Industries provides information on a range of zoonoses and preventative measures. |

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|Ethical considerations |Replacement |

|Prior to this program taking place, teachers should allow for class discussion around a range of ethical and social |Videos, text books and computer simulations may be utilised to help students learn the anatomical locations for |

|issues related to animal rights, animal welfare and the use of animals for experimentation. Refer to the ‘Five |assessing pulse rate and quality in sheep, the physiological principles of blood flow and in learning normal values. |

|freedoms for animals’ which provides a framework for analysing animal welfare - |However, pulse rate and quality is determined by palpation and thus is a tactile skill which must be done on the live |

| (RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase). |animal and cannot be replicated efficiently by other means. Thus, models and abattoir specimens are of limited use in|

| |this activity as they lack circulation characteristics. In addition, learning how to muster and move sheep into a |

|Questions regarding the duty of care for animals in our care will need to be addressed. Issues involving the use of |raceway is often an essential basis for routine husbandry procedures and requires the use of live animals. |

|animals in this activity and the fate of these animals should also be incorporated into the initial discussion. | |

| |A search of alternative websites and databases may further assist in understanding general principles of replacement |

|Students who do not wish to participate in using animals for this program will be provided with alternative tasks that|in this and other teaching activities involving animals: NHMRC (Australian Government National Health and Medical |

|provide them with similar knowledge. However, it is acknowledged that these students will miss out on the experiential|Research Council) at (see Appendix 5), InterNICHE |

|and affective learning that first hand contact with animals enables. |(International Network for Humane Education) at ANZCCART (Australian and New Zealand |

| |Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching) at |

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| |Reduction |

| |Teacher to Student Ratio Student to Animal Ratio |

| |1:30 instructing 30:1 observing |

| |1:2 supervising 1:1 performing |

| |Each student is required to locate and assess the pulse of an animal. Individual sheep should be used by no more than |

| |three students in order to minimise time required in close restraint. It is recommended that each animal is used no |

| |more than twice in a holding period and that sheep are not mustered more frequently than once weekly for the purposes |

| |of this procedure. |

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| |Refinement |

| |Assessment of pulse rate and quality requires close examination and thus handling. Low stress techniques including |

| |natural stockmanship should be encouraged and appropriate flock numbers should be maintained. Refer to Species Notes –|

| |Sheep: Handling, the Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Sheep and the Code of Practice for Welfare |

| |of Farm Animals During Transportation. |

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| |Visual and descriptive reference to anatomical features used in assessing pulse in the femoral artery and/or the |

| |carotid artery in sheep should be taught prior to procedure so that the ‘hands-on’ time for each student is minimised.|

| |Students should be encouraged to practice taking pulses on themselves or colleagues to establish the effect of digital|

| |pressure on blood flow, and to aid in learning to count pulse rates. |

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| Before Procedure |If mustering is required, animals are to be brought in |Handle sheep gently and quietly (do not use dogs to |Ewes within the last month of pregnancy or with lambs at |

|Refer to the following documents before their students |from the paddock using low stress techniques. Refer to |muster). If possible, mustering should be done in the cool|foot should not be mustered unless required for routine |

|begin this activity: |Species Notes – Sheep: Handling. |of the day. |husbandry procedures. |

|- Any specific Safe Operating | | | |

|Procedures for your school | |Use sheep familiar with the yard environment. | |

|- Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of | | |Ill or injured animals including lame or scouring sheep |

|Sheep | |Try to use familiar entry and exit points from yard (see |should not be mustered – implement emergency management |

|- Species Notes - Sheep | |Species Notes – Sheep: Handling). |programme. If an obvious cause for illness cannot be |

|- Animal Safety Analysis Worksheet | | |determined and treated immediately, a veterinarian should |

|- Student Safety Analysis Worksheet | |Ensure appropriate maintenance of yard and restraint |be contacted. |

| | |facilities. | |

|Animals are mustered into yards which contain an adequate | | | |

|supply of feed and water. Adequate shade must be provided.| | | |

|Stocking levels and yard size should allow room for each | | | |

|animal to lie down. Animals should be allowed to settle | | | |

|before drafting or handling. | | | |

|Experimental Procedure |Sheep are restrained in a race. The pulse may be taken by |Sheep involved in this procedure should experience no pain|Animals that become stressed in the raceway should be let |

|Student : teacher ratio |either of the following methods: |and little stress. |into the holding yard or drafted back to the paddock |

|30:1 instructing |Apply light digital pressure to the carotid artery as it |Minimise time in restraint (raceway) by adhering to |immediately. Any individual that becomes injured in the |

|2:1 supervising |traverses the mandibular bone (at the base of the jaw). |student:animal ratios. |race should be let quietly into the holding yard and the |

| |The other hand can be used to lightly restrain the | |injury assessed. Implement emergency management plan – if |

|Student : animal ratio |animal’s muzzle. Care must be taken not to restrict |Provide thorough instructions on anatomical landmarks to |required a veterinarian should be contacted. |

|30:1 observing |airways during restraint. Count pulse beats per 30 or 60 |students prior to experimental procedure to minimise | |

|1:1 performing |seconds, and assess for characteristics such as tone and |hands-on time required. |In the unlikely event of injury requiring euthanasia the |

| |regularity. | |assistance of a veterinarian or instructor trained in |

|It should be possible for students to complete this |Use index, middle and ring fingers of dominant hand to |Minimise time in restraint by advising students to count |emergency euthanasia techniques should be sought |

|activity with sheep in the raceway. However, it may be |gently apply digital pressure to femoral artery (located |pulse rates over eg 15 or 30 seconds rather than 60 |immediately. See Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the|

|easier for the teacher to demonstrate the location of the |in sparsely woolled area in groin) until pulse is felt. |seconds. |Welfare of Sheep. |

|carotid and femoral arteries on a sheep within a small |Record pulse rate and characteristics as above. | | |

|holding pen prior to the commencement of the activity. |Values recorded may be compared to the data provided in |If taking the pulse in the femoral artery, familiarise the| |

| |Species Notes – Sheep. |animal with touch by starting handling at rump and gently | |

| | |sliding hand under the belly to the groin area. | |

| Following Procedure |See Species Notes – Sheep for reference to handling and |Ensure sheep are held in yards for no longer than 3 hours |As above. |

|Animals should be released from race or crush and into |mustering techniques. |following completion of procedure. Ensure adequate shade | |

|holding yards for less than 3 hours, and then returned to | |is provided. | |

|their paddock using low stress techniques. | | | |

| | |Food and water should be provided. | |

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| | |Sheep should be returned quietly to paddock following | |

| | |release from yards. Ensure all lambs are paired with their| |

| | |dam prior to release. | |

| |Method |Frequency |Person Responsible |

|Before Procedure | | | |

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| |Supervision |Continuous |Teacher or designated stockperson |

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|During Procedure |Supervision |Continuous |Teacher or trained instructor with either 1. a relevant |

| | | |science or science education qualification (eg |

| | | |Agricultural or Biological Science) or 2. a relevant |

| | | |science or science education experience as deemed |

| | | |appropriate by the school principal (generally 2 years |

| | | |experience) AND who has competency in the particular |

| | | |procedure. |

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|After Procedure |Supervision |Continuous |Teacher or designated stockperson |

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Note to schools: The school details the arrangements that are in place to deal with an emergency animal event, both in and outside schools hours.

|Emergency Contact Person |Contact Details (all hours) |Competency & Authority |

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|Vet Contact |Vet Contact Details (all hours) |Vet Address |

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An emergency management plan should be in place to deal with unexpected or adverse impacts or events, both within and out of school hours. This should include:

1. Monitoring of animals, including weekends and school holidays.

2. A first aid kit for animals.

3. At least one local veterinarian on call.

4. A list of who is competent to euthanase animals if necessary (this is likely to be the local veterinarian but may also be an Agricultural Science head of department /teacher in charge or assistant. Refer to Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Sheep (Appendix 2) and Code of Practice for Welfare of Farm Animals During Transportation. (section 11)

5. A schedule of persons authorised to respond to emergencies and engage veterinary assistance.

Please note: the Animal Safety Analysis Worksheet and Student Safety Analysis Worksheet provided following are EXAMPLES ONLY. Each school will have its own policies and procedures to be followed. These should be available in written form to all staff and students if requested.

Animal Safety Analysis Worksheet

Note to schools: It is highly recommended these ‘school specific’ forms be completed to reflect local policies and procedures, be printed, appropriately signed and kept on file at school.

|Activity: non-invasive measurement of pulse or blood flow in sheep |Equipment: |Location: Sheep yards |

|Special Hazards/Site Conditions: |Person in Charge: |Period of Activity: |

|Ref. |Condition/situation generating risk |Potential hazards/animal welfare issues |Risk control measures |

|1 |Environment eg: space, temperature, light, ventilation, |Poorly maintained yards (sharp protrusions, broken gates). |Ensure adequate maintenance of yards, raceways and drafting gates. |

| |bedding, shelter, cleaning | | |

| | |Standing on poor substrates for long periods – lameness and | |

| | |discomfort. |Dry earth encouraged as substrate in yards and races rather than concrete or other artificial surfaces. |

| | | |Preferably do not leave animals standing for long periods. |

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| | |Overheating and exposure. |Ensure adequate shade or other cooling systems (sprinklers) in place especially in extreme conditions. |

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| | | |Ensure animals have enough room to lay down in yards. Do not overstock races. |

| | |Overcrowding of yards or race. | |

|2 |Animal handling |Rushed or forceful mustering and movement of sheep. |Follow procedures outlined in Species Notes – Sheep: Handling. |

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| | |Inexperienced or rough handling of individual sheep. | |

| | | |As above. |

| | |Prolonged separation of lamb from dams (leading to distress and | |

| | |possible dehydration). | |

| | | |Lambs should not be separated from their mothers any longer than 15 minutes. Lambs also require daylight|

| | | |for mothering up, which may take some time (especially in larger groups). Ensure all lambs are paired |

| | | |with their dam before release into the paddock. |

|3 |Food provided |Soiled or contaminated. |Fresh food provided on a daily basis and remainder collected from yard. Store in cool, dry location away|

| | | |from moisture and rodents. |

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| | |Inappropriate composition (too low or high in roughage). |Information regarding normal food source and composition (ie paddock versus grain fed) required before |

| | | |providing food in yard. |

| | |Injuries from competition at feeding sites. | |

| | | |Provide adequate space and design of trough or other feeding point (see Code of Accepted Farming |

| | | |Practice for the Welfare of Sheep. |

|4 |Water provided |Contaminated. |Check water sources daily. |

|5 |Ill health |Exacerbation of disease/suffering of animal. |Do not use ill or injured animals. |

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| | |Transmission to other animals due to proximity of contact. |Ensure yards are cleaned and effluent disposed of. Veterinary advice should be sought in any case where |

| | | |the cause of illness or injury cannot be determined and treated immediately on the property. |

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| | |Transmission to other animals due to hygiene standards. |Practice and promote high standards of hygiene before, during and after the handling of sheep. Students |

| | | |to wear disposable gloves and change gloves for each animal or wash hands before and after handling |

| | | |animals. |

|6 |Social incompatibility |Stress or injury due to limited space availability in yard |Ensure appropriate stocking levels in yards and races. See Species Notes – Sheep for details on |

| | |environment. |minimising stress during handling procedures. |

|7 |Transport from supplier |Stress or injury to sheep. |Observe requirements of Code of Practice for Welfare of Farm Animals During Transportation. |

|8 |Student access |Stress or injury to sheep. |Tutor students in low stress handling and natural stockmanship – see Species Notes – Sheep. |

Please note: the Animal Safety Analysis Worksheet and Student Safety Analysis Worksheet provided following are EXAMPLES ONLY. Each school will have its own policies and procedures to be followed. These should be available in written form to all staff and students if requested.

Student Safety Analysis Worksheet

To be completed prior to commencing this activity.

|Activity: non-invasive measurement of pulse or blood flow in sheep |Equipment: Vet crush |Location: Sheep yards |

|Special Hazards/Site Conditions: |Person in Charge: |Period of Activity: |

|Condition/situation generating risk |Potential hazards to students |Risk control measures |

|Handling animals |Agitated animals may attempt to rush past handlers. |Minimise stress on sheep by following animal handling principles outlined in Species Notes – Sheep. |

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| |Sheep inadequately restrained may struggle violently and/or kick out |Follow principles of restraint outline in Species Notes- Sheep. |

| |strongly. | |

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| |Injuries to arms as students reach into raceway to take femoral |Ensure raceway is not overcrowded and that students move carefully. If space is very limited within raceway, |

| |artery pulse. |consider performing activity with sheep in a holding pen. |

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| | |Regular maintenance and safety check of facilities. |

| |Injury from poorly maintained gates/races/yards. | |

| | |Instruct students on appropriate hygiene before, during and after animal handling. Students to wear disposable |

| |Exposure to zoonotic disease as a result of faecal or urinary |gloves and change gloves for each animal or wash hands before and after handling animals. |

| |contamination. | |

|Animals stressed or unwell |Contact with animal which may have potential zoonotic disease. |Do not handle ill animals. Instruct students on appropriate hygiene before, during and after animal handling. |

| | |Students to wear disposable gloves and change gloves for each animal or wash hands before and after handling |

| | |animals. |

I have read and understand the risk assessment and acknowledge the controls needed to be taken when undertaking the procedure and handling the animals.

Teacher _____________________________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________________________

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This activity is recommended for:

VELS level/s: 5 & 6

Year level/s: 7 - 12

Subject/s: Agricultural Science

The Three R’s

Replacement, Reduction, Refinement

Approved Standard Operating Procedures for this Activity

Full

Description

Conditions of collection, housing and handling

Methods to minimise any distress or pain

Withdrawal

Parameters

1

1

2

3

Monitoring of Animals on School Premises

1

2

3

Animal Emergency Management

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