Electroimmobilisation Position Statement Electro-immobilisation for veterinary interventions should only be used for animal restraint purposes where there is no feasible alternative. Use of the instrument should take into account the welfare of the animal and the safety of the operator. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recommends that electro-immobilisation be conducted by veterinarians as it involves complex aspects of animal welfare. Background Electroimmobilisation involves passing a pulsed, low-voltage electrical current through the body of an animal. Usually, electrodes are applied to two parts of the body and the animal’s electric current is delivered along the spine. The electrical current induces animal’s contraction of the muscles supplied by the nerves of that segment of the spine, preventing voluntary movement of the animal. Movement is regained as soon as the current is switched off. Electro-immobilisation devices have been used to immobilise animals in order to perform animal husbandry procedures when there are perceived risks to the safety of the handler or the animal with other forms of restraint. Electro-immobilisation should not be used as a substitute to an effective holding and restraining facilities. Producers should be encouraged to select for good temperament in their livestock breeding programs to reduce the need for such devices. At present, there is no evidence to suggest that electro-immobilisation induces analgesia. There is evidence that it does produce avoidance behaviour in some animals, which indicates that it may cause pain and suffering. Other relevant policies and position statements Pain and analgesia References Grandin, T., S. E. Curtis, T. M. Widowski, and J. C. Thurmon. (1986) . Journal of Animal Science 62:1469-1480 Shrode RR, Hammack SP. Chute behavior of yearling beef cattle (Abstr.). J Anim Sci 1971;33:193. Stricklin WR, Heisler CE, Wilson LL. Heritability of temperament in beef cattle (Abstr.). J Anim Sci 1980;51(Suppl 1):109. Ratified by the AVA Board: October 2010
Electroimmobilisation Position Statement Electro-immobilisation for veterinary interventions should only be used for animal restraint purposes where there is no feasible alternative. Use of the instrument should take into account the welfare of the animal and the safety of the operator. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recommends that electro-immobilisation be conducted by veterinarians as it involves complex aspects of animal welfare. Background Electroimmobilisation involves passing a pulsed, low-voltage electrical current through the body of an animal. Usually, electrodes are applied to two parts of the animal’s body and the electric current is delivered along the animal’s spine. The electrical current induces contraction of the muscles supplied by the nerves of that segment of the spine, preventing voluntary movement of the animal. Movement is regained as soon as the current is switched off. Electro-immobilisation devices have been used to immobilise animals in order to perform animal husbandry procedures when there are perceived risks to the safety of the handler or the animal with other forms of restraint. Electro-immobilisation should not be used as a substitute to an effective holding and restraining facilities. Producers should be encouraged to select for good temperament in their livestock breeding programs to reduce the need for such devices. At present, there is no evidence to suggest that electro-immobilisation induces analgesia. There is evidence that it does produce avoidance behaviour in some animals, which indicates that it may cause pain and suffering. Other relevant policies and position statements Pain and analgesia References Grandin, T., S. E. Curtis, T. M. Widowski, and J. C. Thurmon. (1986) . Journal of Animal Science 62:1469-1480 Shrode RR, Hammack SP. Chute behavior of yearling beef cattle (Abstr.). J Anim Sci 1971;33:193. Stricklin WR, Heisler CE, Wilson LL. Heritability of temperament in beef cattle (Abstr.). J Anim Sci 1980;51(Suppl 1):109. Ratified by the AVA Board: October 2010
Policy%20Compendium%20January%202016.docx