title: Time of onset of insensibility in four- to six-week-old calves during slaughter.
abstract: The time of onset of permanent insensibility subsequent to incision of the major blood vessels of the neck was studied in one 31-day-old calf and two 42-day-old calves. Insensibility was determined from the study of electroencephalograms (EEG). Insensibility first occurred at 28, 30 and 168s, respectively. Following respiratory gasps, all three animals subsequently showed resurgences of cerebrocortical activity for periods of between 130 and 187s, and EEGs did not become isoelectric again for 116 to 300s after slaughter. These results are similar to those previously recorded in 1-week-old calves and are in disagreement with the findings of Nangeroni & Kenneth (1963) which indicated that 8-week-old calves became permanently insensible within 6·9s of slaughter.
authors: Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors: D K
authors: DK
authors: Blackmore
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Newhook
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Grandin