Epidemiologia veterinária: aplicação de modelos do bem-estar animal em equinos

Abstract

It is currently considered that animal health must also take into account mental aspects, as animals are considered sentient beings. The appreciation of animal welfare has generated economic, cultural, legal and scientific consequences, as it is considered a multidisciplinary concept. In addition to considering whether the animal's physical needs are being met, the animal welfare assessment takes into account its mental state in the face of challenges, based on experiences, with the aim of exploring positive experiences and providing them to the animal. This work hypothesizes that the combination of animal welfare models can be used to identify and evaluate risk factors as a proposition for epidemiological analyzes that can serve to prevent health problems and promote the health of horses. To this end, we will compare how the management practices adopted by two properties affect the mental state of the herd. This is the initial phase for proposing a process of qualitative analysis of risks to the mental health of equines through the various known animal welfare analysis models (1. the direct and indirect indicators suggested by MAPA to identify critical points; 2. the model of the “five domains” of animal welfare by Mellor (2017) for a qualitative assessment of how these situations can trigger disorders in the mental state of horses and 3. the evaluation form by Atroch (2019) for comparison of properties) associated with the epidemiological model Rothman's causality model (1998), known as the sufficient component causes. The analysis of two properties, through the proposed process, will test the feasibility of its application in the practice of equine breeding and animal health. A daily report was made on the management practices adopted by the institutions. Property 1, due to differences in routine and management of horses, according to where they spend the night, was divided into 1A, 1B and 1C. Based on the information obtained, the direct and indirect indicators of animal welfare proposed by MAPA were identified. As a result, four recurring situations were identified that negatively influence the mental state of the animals evaluated in the analysis according to the animal welfare Five Domains model, they are:1.lack of coverage in the paddocks; 2.absence of a health calendar; 3.poorly managed paddocks and 4.failure in food management. The assessment form for the welfare conditions of the herd in stud farms was also applied to compare the two properties. The classification of Properties 1A, 1B and 1C was “A” and of Property 2 “B”. It was concluded that the combination of animal welfare models can be used to identify and evaluate risk factors as a proposition for epidemiological analyzes and serve to prevent health problems and promote equine health. Comparing the two properties, according to the evaluation form by Atroch (2019), Property 2 needs to consider changes in management and facilities. The process of qualitative analysis of risks to the mental health of equines is proposed through the various known animal welfare analysis models.