Troy Gibson

Citation

Thesis Title
Electroencephalographic responses of calves to the noxious sensory input of slaughter by ventral neck incision and its modulation with non-penetrative captive bolt stunning

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Mr Gibson examined the noxiousness of slaughter without stunning in cattle, using adaptations of a minimal anaesthesia model. His aim was to identify cerebrocortical responses indicative of noxious stimulation due to slaughter with or without stunning. The research found that the damage to neck tissues associated with slaughter without prior stunning, not the loss of blood flow through the brain, produces cortical responses indicative of noxious stimulation that would represent the experience of significant pain in conscious animals. Stunning removed these cortical responses. His results have important implications for the welfare of cattle during slaughter.

Supervisors
Professor Craig Johnson
Dr Geoff Barnes
Professor David Mellor
Professor Kevin Stafford