Evidence-based refinements for procedures with pigs
Refinements:
Positive Reinforcement Training
Use of Swine Board
Peanut Butter on Wall
Refinements:
Gatoraid and Prang Popsicles for NPO
3D Refinements
Ear Wedges
Modify recovery surroundings:
Soft padding during recovery
Low light
Low voice
Dedicated post-op nursing care
John Hopkins Chair
Refinements:
Pre-Medication (Sedative): Injectable and Oral options
Euthanasia Options
Adequate Restraint: It’s all in the hold
Refinements:
Consistent body weight
Place weigh scale at door entryway
Consistent anesthesia
Positive Reinforcement Training
Refinements:
Dedicated behavior manager to ensure consistency
Dedicated environmental enrichment opportunities
Rotational
Human-Patient Interaction
Understanding time to learn individual behavior
Refinements:
Flexible spacing
Social housing whenever possible
On bedding–>allows rooting; more clean animals
Encourages more human interaction because less odor; less noise
Allows flexibility for daily sanitation
Comfortable and less anxiety
Healthier patient models
Incision
Occupational Health
Low noise level
Can’t smell feces
Enlarged space for animals to move around
Exercise
Scratch Pad
Smearing the twinkie
Enrichment Hallway
Minimize slipping/non-slip floor
Encourage human interaction
Refinements:
Step down process: Tender footstep down and acclimating them to step down; Use positive reinforcement
Offloading
In groups / unloading as a group and not putting them in a carrier;