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- Applied researcher at the Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Clinical Science, SLU - External resource for the Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar animal at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil - My background is in Veterinary Medicine, Applied Animal Behaviour & Welfare with expertise in Mixed methodology (QNT+QLT research methods). - I am keen to understand the factors related to animals and the animal community health & welfare. To do so, I frame my research under a mixed methodology (i.e. qualitative and quantitative research components). These allow me to maximise insight; on the one hand by the identification of risk factors around health and welfare problems but on the other gain insight into the social perceptions or barriers of farmers and animal health consultants.
Stressful management that makes farmed pigs susceptible to infections is associated with high antibiotic use (AMU) and resistance (AMR). Pig farmers are key stakeholders to support the international agenda pushing AMU restrictions. We interviewed 58 pig farmers on AMU/AMR, biosecurity, veterinary assistance, disease prevention and treatment, aiming to understand practices and attitudes towards the AMU/AMR problem. Farmers described a reliance on antibiotics to prevent and treat disease while neglecting biosecurity measures. We identified inappropriate AMU practices (high use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, incorrect dosage or treatment length) and unrestricted access to antibiotics, which encouraged imprudent AMU. Nevertheless, most farmers considered this AMU legitimate to guarantee herd productivity and showed unpreparedness and resistance to changing AMU practices, perceiving limitations (economic, sanitary and inspection) more easily than alternatives to reduce AMU. Agro-industries and foreign markets were mentioned, and internal consumers dismissed as potential motivators for behavioral changes. Importantly, farmers’ economic, technical and social factors may limit their autonomy to change practices. We conclude that the observed distancing of pig farmers from the AMU/AMR problem limits the efficiency of policies aiming for a prudent AMU. Our study indicates a need for education, training and behavior change nudging that should include other stakeholders beyond farmers.
Rita Albernaz-Gonçalves; Gabriela Olmos; Maria Hötzel. Exploring Farmers’ Reasons for Antibiotic Use and Misuse in Pig Farms in Brazil. Antibiotics 2021, 10, 331 .
AMA StyleRita Albernaz-Gonçalves, Gabriela Olmos, Maria Hötzel. Exploring Farmers’ Reasons for Antibiotic Use and Misuse in Pig Farms in Brazil. Antibiotics. 2021; 10 (3):331.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRita Albernaz-Gonçalves; Gabriela Olmos; Maria Hötzel. 2021. "Exploring Farmers’ Reasons for Antibiotic Use and Misuse in Pig Farms in Brazil." Antibiotics 10, no. 3: 331.
The mutually beneficial relationships between improving animal welfare (AW) and achieving the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) were further explored and compared to previous work. This was done in the context of a doctoral training course where students selected at least six SDGs and reasoned around their impact on AW and vice versa. Then, students rated the strength of the SDG—AW links. Lastly, students engaged in an assessment exercise. Students reported an overall mutually beneficial relationship between AW and all SDGs, yet with significant differences in strength for SDGs 4, 11, 10, 12 and 13 to that previously found by experts. Students considered SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production the most promising way to integrate AW targets. This study further supports the positive role of AW in the success of the UN’s strategy. Still, the magnitude of the anticipated impacts is modified by stakeholder, context and experience.
Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Håkan Tunón; Daiana de Oliveira; Michael Jones; Anna Wallenbeck; Janice Swanson; Harry Blokhuis; Linda Keeling. Animal Welfare and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—Broadening Students’ Perspectives. Sustainability 2021, 13, 3328 .
AMA StyleGabriela Olmos Antillón, Håkan Tunón, Daiana de Oliveira, Michael Jones, Anna Wallenbeck, Janice Swanson, Harry Blokhuis, Linda Keeling. Animal Welfare and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—Broadening Students’ Perspectives. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (6):3328.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGabriela Olmos Antillón; Håkan Tunón; Daiana de Oliveira; Michael Jones; Anna Wallenbeck; Janice Swanson; Harry Blokhuis; Linda Keeling. 2021. "Animal Welfare and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—Broadening Students’ Perspectives." Sustainability 13, no. 6: 3328.
Monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and use (AMU) is important for control. We used Escherichia coli from healthy young calves as an indicator to evaluate whether AMR patterns differ between Swedish organic and conventional dairy herds and whether the patterns could be related to AMU data. Samples were taken twice, in 30 organic and 30 conventional dairy herds. Selective culturing for Escherichia coli, without antibiotics and with nalidixic acid or tetracycline, was used to estimate the proportions of resistant isolates. Microdilution was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for thirteen antimicrobial substances. AMU data were based on collection of empty drug packages. Less than 8% of the bacterial growth on non-selective plates was also found on selective plates with tetracycline, and 1% on plates with nalidixic acid. Despite some MIC variations, resistance patterns were largely similar in both periods, and between organic and conventional herds. For most substances, only a few isolates were classified as resistant. The most common resistances were against ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline. No clear association with AMU could be found. The lack of difference between organic and conventional herds is likely due to a generally good animal health status and consequent low AMU in both categories.
Karin Sjöström; Rachel A. Hickman; Viktoria Tepper; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Josef D. Järhult; Ulf Emanuelson; Nils Fall; Susanna Sternberg Lewerin. Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Organic and Conventional Dairy Herds in Sweden. Antibiotics 2020, 9, 834 .
AMA StyleKarin Sjöström, Rachel A. Hickman, Viktoria Tepper, Gabriela Olmos Antillón, Josef D. Järhult, Ulf Emanuelson, Nils Fall, Susanna Sternberg Lewerin. Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Organic and Conventional Dairy Herds in Sweden. Antibiotics. 2020; 9 (11):834.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKarin Sjöström; Rachel A. Hickman; Viktoria Tepper; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Josef D. Järhult; Ulf Emanuelson; Nils Fall; Susanna Sternberg Lewerin. 2020. "Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Organic and Conventional Dairy Herds in Sweden." Antibiotics 9, no. 11: 834.
Biases of antimicrobial use (AMU) reporting systems pose a challenge to monitoring of AMU. Our study aimed to cross-compare three data sources of AMU in Swedish dairy herds to provide an account of the validity of AMU reports. We studied AMU differences between two production systems, to investigate how the reporting system affected this comparison. On-farm quantification of AMU via a manual collection of empty drug containers (BIN) took place in organic (n = 30) and conventional (n = 30) dairy herds during two periods between February 2016 and March 2017. A data extract mirroring these periods was obtained from two linked datasets that contain AMU data as reported by the prescribing veterinarians. These included data from the Swedish Board of Agriculture system (SBA) and Växa milk recording system (VXA). Using the European Medicines Agency technical units, the total number of defined daily doses (DDDvet), and defined course doses (DCDvet) per animal/year were calculated for each herd/period/dataset. Descriptive statistics and Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate the agreement and systematic bias between the datasets. Mixed models for repeated measures were used to assess AMU differences between production systems. We found consistent numerical differences for the calculated AMU metrics, with BIN presenting higher usage compared to the SBA and VXA. This was driven by a disparity in intramammary tubes (IMt) which appear to be underreported in the national datasets. A statistically significant interaction (BIN dataset) between the production system and drug administration form was found, where AMU for injectable and lactating cow IMt drug forms differed by the production system, but no difference was found for dry-cow IMt. We conclude that calculating AMU using DDDvet and DCDvet metrics at a herd level based on Swedish national datasets is useful, with the caveat of IMt potentially being misrepresented. The BIN method offers an alternative to monitoring AMU, but scaling up requires considerations. The lower disease caseload in organic herds partly explains the lower AMU in particular drug forms. The fact that organic and conventional herds' had equally low AMU for dry-cow IMt, coupled with mismatches in IMt report across herds indicated an area of further research.
Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Karin Sjöström; Nils Fall; Susanna Sternberg Lewerin; Ulf Emanuelson. Antibiotic Use in Organic and Non-organic Swedish Dairy Farms: A Comparison of Three Recording Methods. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2020, 7, 1 .
AMA StyleGabriela Olmos Antillón, Karin Sjöström, Nils Fall, Susanna Sternberg Lewerin, Ulf Emanuelson. Antibiotic Use in Organic and Non-organic Swedish Dairy Farms: A Comparison of Three Recording Methods. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2020; 7 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGabriela Olmos Antillón; Karin Sjöström; Nils Fall; Susanna Sternberg Lewerin; Ulf Emanuelson. 2020. "Antibiotic Use in Organic and Non-organic Swedish Dairy Farms: A Comparison of Three Recording Methods." Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, no. : 1.
This paper systematically evaluates the extent to which achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) is compatible with improving animal welfare. The analyses were based on discussion and independent scoring in a group of 12 participants with academic backgrounds within agricultural or veterinary sciences. We considered all categories of animals; those kept for food production, working and companion animals, but also laboratory and wild animals. The strengths of the links between improving animal welfare and achieving an SDG were scored on a 7-point scale, from being completely indivisible, at one end of the scale, to where it is impossible to reach both the SDG and improved animal welfare at the same time. There was good consensus between participants, with the overall scores being positive, indicating that although animal welfare is not explicitly mentioned in the SDGs, working to achieving the SDGs is compatible with working to improve animal welfare. When analyzing the direction of the links, the impact of achieving an SDG was considered, on average, to be slightly better at leading to improved animal welfare, than the impact of improving animal welfare was on achieving the SDG. The exception to this was for SDG 2, dealing with zero hunger. The two SDGs for which there was strongest mutual reinforcing were SDG 12, which deals with responsible production and consumption, and SDG 14, which deals with life below water. Most of the targets under these two SDGs were considered relevant to animal welfare, whereas when all SDGs were considered, 66 targets of the total of 169 were considered relevant. Although the results of this study suggest a mutually beneficial relationship between improving animal welfare and achieving SDGs, this should be confirmed on a wider group of people, for example people from less developed countries and other stakeholders. Showing the relationships between animal welfare and the sustainable development goals helps highlight the importance of animal welfare when implementing these goals in practice. The methodology described in this study could also be useful to researchers working with other societal and environmental issues not yet considered within the overall SDG framework.
Linda Keeling; Håkan Tunon; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Charlotte Berg; Mike Jones; Leopoldo Stuardo; Janice Swanson; Anna Wallenbeck; Christoph Winckler; Harry Blokhuis. Animal Welfare and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2019, 6, 1 .
AMA StyleLinda Keeling, Håkan Tunon, Gabriela Olmos Antillón, Charlotte Berg, Mike Jones, Leopoldo Stuardo, Janice Swanson, Anna Wallenbeck, Christoph Winckler, Harry Blokhuis. Animal Welfare and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2019; 6 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLinda Keeling; Håkan Tunon; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Charlotte Berg; Mike Jones; Leopoldo Stuardo; Janice Swanson; Anna Wallenbeck; Christoph Winckler; Harry Blokhuis. 2019. "Animal Welfare and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals." Frontiers in Veterinary Science 6, no. : 1.
A farmer or a dairy consultant’s ability to identify and properly treat lame dairy cows is key to managing lameness on farms. However, this ability is dependent on their knowledge and perceptions regarding lameness. To date these topics are poorly understood in all dairy systems. To our knowledge, this is the first study that uses a qualitative approach to describe the perception of lameness in Brazilian pasture-based dairy farms. The aim of this study was firstly, to contextualize farmers and dairy consultants’ culture and knowledge on the topic of lameness and, secondly, to understand how these factors may influence lameness management on the farms. In-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were done with participating farm owners (n = 21) and dairy consultants (n = 13). Thematic analyses of the interview content provided evidence that the dairy community’s overarching culture around lameness acts as a barrier preventing positive actions targeting lameness control and prevention. The emerging themes identified, indicate that lameness is a vague, ill-defined concept among both farmers and dairy consultants working in this region. There was a shared belief that pasture-based systems have a low risk for lameness. Furthermore, the prevailing culture for tackling lameness was reactive, particularly in the case of lame cows affected by physical trauma or environmental factors. Treatment was frequently delayed and the misuse of antibiotics was evident. Described community culture was rationalised via the cognitive dissonance and health belief models. We suggest that increased dialogue, including educational efforts, within the community may lead to increased sensitivity of risk perception of lameness within the community and in turn trigger appropriate diagnosis and treatment of lame cows.
Gabriela Olmos; José A. Bran; Marina A.G. von Keyserlingk; Maria J. Hötzel. Lameness on Brazilian pasture based dairies – Part 2: Conversations with farmers and dairy consultants. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2018, 157, 115 -124.
AMA StyleGabriela Olmos, José A. Bran, Marina A.G. von Keyserlingk, Maria J. Hötzel. Lameness on Brazilian pasture based dairies – Part 2: Conversations with farmers and dairy consultants. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2018; 157 ():115-124.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGabriela Olmos; José A. Bran; Marina A.G. von Keyserlingk; Maria J. Hötzel. 2018. "Lameness on Brazilian pasture based dairies – Part 2: Conversations with farmers and dairy consultants." Preventive Veterinary Medicine 157, no. : 115-124.
This study aimed to describe the management practices used in dairy farms in the south of Brazil, and to understand farmers’ perceptions and attitudes regarding these practices. Farms (n=135) located in all 32 of the municipalities in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul (Alto Uruguai Gaúcho), Brazil were characterized regarding all calf management practices during a farm visit where farms were inspected and farmers interviewed. In a second visit, 25 in depth interviews were done to understand farmers’ attitudes and perceptions towards these practices and potential influence on calves’ welfare and performance. Management of lactating calves was perceived by most of the interviewees as of marginal importance for dairy activity. In general farmers did not perceive animal welfare as relevant, and most chose management practices mainly based on practical, productive and economic factors. These conclusions are consistent with management practices used by farmers, many of which represent risk factors for low calves’ survival, growth and welfare. Seven factors (self-responsibility, economic ambition, technical assistance, family succession, urban experiences, specialization and family commitment) appeared to influence farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and choices regarding husbandry practices that affect the welfare and performance of calves, which may be considered when designing programs aiming to improve dairy calf management.
Vilmar Fruscalso; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Maria José Hötzel. Smallholder family farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and choices regarding husbandry practices that influence performance and welfare of lactating dairy calves. Ciência Rural 2017, 47, 1 .
AMA StyleVilmar Fruscalso, Gabriela Olmos Antillón, Maria José Hötzel. Smallholder family farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and choices regarding husbandry practices that influence performance and welfare of lactating dairy calves. Ciência Rural. 2017; 47 (11):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVilmar Fruscalso; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Maria José Hötzel. 2017. "Smallholder family farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and choices regarding husbandry practices that influence performance and welfare of lactating dairy calves." Ciência Rural 47, no. 11: 1.
Twice-daily milking is the most common milking regimen used globally. A reduction in milking frequency to once daily, combined with a reduced feed allowance (FA), could reduce the physiological stress associated with the transition to peak milk production, and hence improve immune function. This study investigated how milking frequency and FA affect dairy cow immune status. Cows (n = 48) were milked once a day (OAD) or twice a day (TAD) on 1 of 2 FA: high (HFA) or low (LFA), in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. After the mean calving date of March 11, HFA cows were offered ad libitum grass silage and 7 kg of concentrates/cow per day until March 22, then 4 kg of concentrates/cow per day until April 17, and thereafter allocated 31.3 kg of dry matter (DM) grass/cow per day. The LFA cows were offered 4 kg of concentrates/cow per day, 1 kg of concentrates/cow per day, and allocated 19 kg of DM grass/cow per day for the same respective periods. Milk yield was recorded daily and body condition score weekly, and somatic cell count was performed at approximately 2-wk intervals. Blood samples were collected prepartum (d -7 to -1) and at d 1 to 7, d 14 to 21, and d 42 to 49 postpartum. Total and differential leukocyte percentage, IFN-γ production in response to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin, and cortisol, haptoglobin (Hp), and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations were evaluated. Cows milked OAD had reduced milk yield and body reserve mobilization, but higher somatic cell counts. Milking frequency and diet had no effect on total leukocyte counts. Cows milked OAD had a higher lymphocyte percentage and lower monocyte percentage, and tended to have a lower neutrophil percentage than cows milked TAD. In addition, the LFA cows had a higher eosinophil percentage than cows fed the HFA. Milking frequency and diet had no effect on IFN-γ, Hp, SAA, or cortisol production. Utilization of strategies to reduce milk yield at the beginning of the lactation could not only reduce body reserve mobilization, but also help to maintain a functioning immune system, and thus improve cow welfare.
K. O’Driscoll; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Sara Llamas-Moya; J.F. Mee; B. Earley; D. Gleeson; B. O’Brien; L. Boyle. A reduction in milking frequency and feed allowance improves dairy cow immune status. Journal of Dairy Science 2012, 95, 1177 -1187.
AMA StyleK. O’Driscoll, Gabriela Olmos Antillón, Sara Llamas-Moya, J.F. Mee, B. Earley, D. Gleeson, B. O’Brien, L. Boyle. A reduction in milking frequency and feed allowance improves dairy cow immune status. Journal of Dairy Science. 2012; 95 (3):1177-1187.
Chicago/Turabian StyleK. O’Driscoll; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Sara Llamas-Moya; J.F. Mee; B. Earley; D. Gleeson; B. O’Brien; L. Boyle. 2012. "A reduction in milking frequency and feed allowance improves dairy cow immune status." Journal of Dairy Science 95, no. 3: 1177-1187.
The aim of this study was to describe and report the prevalence of conditions found at necropsy examination of UK donkeys. Records from 1,444 donkeys over a 7-year period were included in the analysis. Sixty-one categories of post-mortem finding were identified from 9,744 observations. The four most prevalent conditions noted were dental disorder (78.7%), vascular disease other than aneurysm (60.9%), arthritis (55.4%) and foot disorder (44.8%). Gastric ulceration was found in 42% of the donkeys and gastrointestinal impaction in 18.6%. The most frequent combination of two post-mortem findings in the same animal was arthritis and dental disorder. The most common disorders were associated with age, body weight and/or body condition post mortem and, for some disorders, gender. For many of the post-mortem findings, crude associations were found between the presence of one finding and the odds of also having certain other post-mortem findings. This study is the first to summarize all conditions noted at necropsy examination for a large group of donkeys. The findings increase knowledge of diseases and conditions of this species and may be useful when investigating the relevance of various pathological conditions in the live animal.
L.D. Morrow; K.C. Smith; R.J. Piercy; N. Du Toit; F.A. Burden; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; N.G. Gregory; K.L.P. Verheyen. Retrospective Analysis of Post-Mortem Findings in 1,444 Aged Donkeys. Journal of Comparative Pathology 2011, 144, 145 -156.
AMA StyleL.D. Morrow, K.C. Smith, R.J. Piercy, N. Du Toit, F.A. Burden, Gabriela Olmos Antillón, N.G. Gregory, K.L.P. Verheyen. Retrospective Analysis of Post-Mortem Findings in 1,444 Aged Donkeys. Journal of Comparative Pathology. 2011; 144 (2):145-156.
Chicago/Turabian StyleL.D. Morrow; K.C. Smith; R.J. Piercy; N. Du Toit; F.A. Burden; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; N.G. Gregory; K.L.P. Verheyen. 2011. "Retrospective Analysis of Post-Mortem Findings in 1,444 Aged Donkeys." Journal of Comparative Pathology 144, no. 2: 145-156.