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Biomedical subjects

L J Rutgers

Publications and source records attributed to L J Rutgers.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Well-being--intrinsic value--integrity. Developments in the reevaluation of the domesticated animal].

Owing to selective breeding and conditioning to husbandry methods, domestication has resulted in modification of the anatomy, physiology, and behaviour of animals. Nevertheless, domestic animals cannot be regarded and treated as artificial products. Public interest and concern about the welfare of domestic animals has led to the recognition of the intrinsic value of animals and, in extension of this, to the ethical principle of respect for the integrity of animals. The sensibility and acceptance of these principles by those involved in ethical decision-making depends on their fundamental views about humans and the living world. In order to make judgements about the use of, and interference with, animals, it is desirable to clarify these personal views. The principle of respect for the integrity of animals leads to considerations and arguments beyond animal health and welfare. This is shown by three examples: declawing of cats, caesarean section in cattle, and laying hens in battery cages.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1994

[Normative questions in veterinary practice: a survey].

In autumn 1991, an inquiry was made among veterinary practitioners in the Netherlands to obtain information about the following normative questions: (1) which ethical issues are most troublesome in veterinary practice, (2) how do veterinary practitioners deal with ethical issues and (3) what is their opinion about the way ethical issues should be dealt with within the veterinary profession? Out of the population of Dutch veterinary practitioners (2155 persons) a questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 308 persons; 221 (72%) questionnaires were answered. One of the questions involved an inventory of ethical issues in veterinary practice. It is concluded from the results that ethical issues are perceived more as problems for the veterinary community than as individual problems. Moral problems in veterinary practice can generally be characterized as conflicts between interests and desires of animal owners and the moral responsibility for animals. In weighing interests of humans and animals the following animal dependent criteria can be distinguished: pain, health, welfare and integrity. Nearly all respondents (95%) answered that they would ideally take account of the welfare and/or integrity criterion, in addition to pain and health, in moral decision-making about treatment of animals. With regard to veterinary practice two important professional attitudes can be distinguished: an animal-oriented approach and a client-oriented approach. The survey revealed that the majority of practitioners (64%) give priority to the animal-oriented approach. Companion animal practitioners have a stronger animal-oriented attitude than farm animal and general practitioners, and female practitioners are more animal-oriented than their male colleagues. Regarding the process of moral decision-making, 78% of the practitioners want methodological support. The respondents prefer to be supported by means of discussion groups (51%) and post-academic education (34%). The survey revealed that 71% of the respondents are of the opinion that it is desirable that the veterinary profession takes a clear stand on particular ethical issues.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1991

[Surgical interventions in animals: veterinary-ethical considerations].

In day-to-day veterinary practice moral problems may arise when human interests conflict with moral responsibility towards animals. A critical evaluation of an actor's moral intuitions in the light of basic moral principles and morally relevant facts results in a reflective equilibrium which allows the actor to take a clear stand on a particular moral issue. Four fundamental moral principles are used: the principle of beneficence, the principle of malfeasance, the principle of justice and the principle of respect for the integrity of the animal. In weighing human and animal interests, well-being and intrinsic value of animals will play an increasingly important role. In this paper the model of reflective equilibrium is worked out with respect to animal surgery, in which two main categories can be distinguished: operations which are performed for veterinary-medical reasons and those for non-therapeutic reasons. The latter category is called 'utility surgery', which is a collective term for surgery for economic or cosmetic reasons or for reasons of convenience. Both categories of operations raise their own ethical questions, which are analysed by application of the proposed method of moral decision making.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1990

Visceral prolapse after castration in the horse: a review of 18 cases.

During a 10 year period, 18 horses were treated surgically because of visceral prolapse after castration. Surgery was successful in six cases of omental prolapse and in eight out of 12 cases of intestinal prolapse. To minimise the risk of visceral prolapse, the authors prefer half-closed castration, with proper ligation of the parietal vaginal tunic, to open castration. If adequate treatment is started promptly, prognosis in cases of visceral prolapse is favourable.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[A comparison of suturing and non-suturing of scrotal wounds following castration in stallions].

It was found that wound infections may be considerably reduced when castration is carried out under strictly aseptic conditions. In this clinical review, healing of the wound following castration with and without closure of the scrotal wounds is compared. All castrations were performed under similar aseptic conditions, general anaesthesia having been produced in the recumbent stallion. The results do not show that there is a significant difference in the appearance of wound infections in scrotal wounds which are closed and those which are left completely open. On the basis of both papers and the present review it is concluded that wound healing is more affected by the (a)septic conditions under which surgery is performed rather than by the actual method of castration.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Towards a veterinary-professional standard concerning castration in stallions].

Complications following castration are increasingly often regarded as unacceptable by the owners of horses. A veterinary surgeon can only be held responsible for the consequences of his professional procedure when castration is not performed according to the rule (lege artis), i.e. if the surgeon failed to act in accordance with professional veterinary standards. So far, there is no consensus concerning the standard regarding the castration of stallions as various techniques are being used, and as some veterinary surgeons consider complications to be a normal risk in surgery. Visceral prolapse should be considered to be the most serious complication, particularly following 'open' castration. Although exact data are not available, it is the impression of the present authors that the incidence of intestinal evisceration and inguinal hernia in stallions is increasing in the Netherlands. When high priority is given to the prevention of evisceration, the 'open' method of castration should be abandoned. To reduce the hazard of evisceration to a minimum, the (half)closed technique, which involves crushing and ligation of the spermatic cord enclosed in the vaginal tunic, is recommended. This procedure enhances the risk of wound infection and scirrhous cord. However, these complications may be reduced when a high degree of asepsis is maintained during surgery.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Dehorning of calves using the Leister-Ghibli hot air pistol].

The present study was concerned with the applicability and efficiency of the Leister-Ghibli hot-air gun used in disbudding calves. The tool was used in thirty-three calves averaging an age of seven weeks. Subsequently, none of the calves showed growth of horns. When the burning time is 20-25 seconds, the depth effect of the hot air is mainly limited to the epidermis and, at the same time, suffices to prevent the growth of horn.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Intersuckling by cattle: a literature review].

The literature on intersucking in cattle is reviewed. The following features are described: incidence, moments of appearance, relationship between herd mates, environmental factors (housing system, size of herd, area per animal, feeding places available, feed ration, nutrient deficiencies, housing and feeding practices during the rearing period), animal factors (genetic predisposition, social bonds, imitation), consequences (pathological changes, milk loss), and forms of symptomatic treatment (mechanical devices, surgery). It is concluded that rearing methods (bucket feeding of milk, early group housing) and genetic predisposition are likely to be the most important factors in the aetiology of intersucking in mature dairy cattle. As methods of symptomatic treatment are not successful in every case and are subject to ethical dispute, it is advisable not to treat intersucking cattle regardless of the symptomatic approach. This is the more important because there is clear evidence of genetic predisposition. The mode of inheritance is still unknown, but is likely to act through sucking motivation or drive at an early age. In problem herds more attention should be paid to rearing methods and selection of (A.I.) bulls. There also is a need for further research into the aetiology, particularly by longitudinal studies in which a large number of animals are studied from birth to first lactation.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1988

Effects of experimental duodenal occlusion on electrical activity of the proximal duodenum in cattle.

An electromyographic study of the proximal duodenum in cattle is presented. Changes of motility patterns were studied after induced mechanical obstruction of the descending duodenum in five healthy cows. Special attention was paid to the ratio of antegrade and retrograde motility. Induced duodenal obstruction of which the duration was at most 48 hours, resulted in abrupt disorganisation of the migrating myoelectric complexes; the phases of regular spiking activity disappeared completely or reappeared in a disorganised pattern, and the phases of irregular spiking activity consisted of repetitive groups of spike bursts with prolonged duration and increased propagation velocity. Retrograde peristaltic contractions in the proximal duodenum were observed. Relief of obstruction resulted in a rapid reorganisation of the cyclic pattern of the migrating myoelectric complexes, which indicates normalisation of intestinal activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[Developments in veterinary medicine and possible impact on veterinary practice and education].

What are the recent developments in the various fields of the veterinary profession and which adjustments in veterinary medicine are required for successful anticipation to these new conditions? Efforts are made to answer these questions from the point of view of each of the authors' professional disciplines. The authors all specialised in different fields of veterinary medicine. The present paper is a summary of each of the authors' editorial contributions on this subject as published in Fakulteitsnieuws (magazine of the Utrecht Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) in 1984 and 1985. Veterinary practice is found to be developing into two main directions: (i) veterinary medicine of pet animals which concentrates on the individual diseased animal and (ii) veterinary medicine of farm animals in which herd health control and preventive medicine are increasingly emphasized. In addition, industry has an increasing need for veterinarians having a specific veterinary pathobiological background. Optimum veterinary care requires veterinarians increasingly to concentrate on one of these (sub)disciplines. This implies that, in veterinary training, students should be afforded ample opportunity to achieve depth in the areas of personal interest. This is made possible by ensuring further differentiation in the veterinary curriculum and by setting up an intensive system of post-graduate education.

Animal Husbandry↗