@article{Robbins_Williams_Derscheid_Boyum_Spangler_2021, title={Comparison of frontal-sinus and poll shot locations as secondary methods for euthanizing dairy cattle with a penetrating captive bolt gun}, volume={55}, url={https://bovine-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/bovine/article/view/8229}, DOI={10.21423/bovine-vol55no2p115-119}, abstractNote={<p>Humane euthanasia is a crucial component of dairy farm animal welfare programs. When using either a gunshot or captive bolt, the frontal-sinus area is well established as the primary shot location, but a secondary shot is often used as well. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 2 different secondary shot locations. Cattle from a commercial dairy operation (n = 44) were randomly assigned to receive a secondary shot in the frontal-sinus or poll location and clinical signs of consciousness were assessed. A subsample of adult cattle heads (n = 6) were also evaluated to assess the extent of trauma. With the exception of heartbeat, all signs of sensibility were absent immediately following the first frontal-sinus shot and remained absent until confirmation of death, regardless of treatment (P > 0.05). Relatively fewer animals shot in the poll location had a heartbeat 5 min after being shot (P = 0.03). Pathology results on the subsample of adult cattle showed poll shots rarely penetrated beyond the cerebrum and only 1 of 6 animals had a severed brainstem. We conclude the frontal-sinus and poll locations are similarly effective secondary shot locations, and brainstem damage may not be necessary for irreversible insensibility and death.</p>}, number={2}, journal={The Bovine Practitioner}, author={Robbins, Jesse A. and Williams, Rachel and Derscheid, Rachel J. and Boyum, Brett and Spangler, Conrad}, year={2021}, month={Dec.}, pages={115–119} }