Table 3 Predefined humane endpoints leading to euthanasia of pigs in experimental S. suis infections published between 2000—2021

path.

4–5

2

i.n.

score > 2 on attitude or locomotion

[43, 102]^a

vac.

8

2

aerosol

[101]^a

vac.

8

2

i.v.

severe clinical signs (score > 4)

[7]^a

vac.

11–12

2

i.p.

animals unresponsive for stimuli; CNS dysfunction; lameness score of 3

[26]^a

path.

5

2

i.n.

“high clinical scoring”

[52]^a

vac.

7–8

2

aerosol

[119]^a

vac.

7

2

i.p.

score = 3 in either category and a body temperature above 40°C for 2 consecutive days

[75]^a,b,c

path.

5

7

i.v.

fever ≥ 40.5°C, apathy and anorexia (persisting over 24h [24]  /32h [51]); acute polyarthritis; CNS dysfunction; score ≥ 25 [51, 24] 

[23]^a,b,c

vac.

8

14

i.n.

[24]^a,b,c

8–9

9

i.v.

[51] ^a,b,c

path.

4–5

2

i.n.

high fever (≥ 40.5°C), apathy and anorexia persisting over 36h/24h [81] ; CNS dysfunction; acute polyarthritis

[87]^b,c

8

2

i.n.

[25]^b,c

9

2

i.n.

[30]^b,c

vac.

7–8

2

i.n.

[113]^b,c

9

9

i.v.

[81]^b,c

path.

0–1

2

i.n.

consumption < 75% or more of dispensed diet for four feedings in a row and lameness, fever (> 40°C), or CNS disease

[35]^b,c,d

vac.

8–9

2, 7

i.v.

 ≥ 40.5°C, apathy and anorexia; polyarthritis; CNS disorder

[48]^b

6, 8

2

i.v.

[44]^b

9

2

i.n., i.v.

[82]^b

7–8

9

i.v.

[54]^b

path.

7–8

2, 9

i.n., i.v.

high fever (≥ 41°C weaners; ≥ 40.5°C growers), apathy and anorexia

[70]^b

4–5/7–8

2

i.n.

[84]^b

model

7

2

i.v.

fever (≥ 41°C) or CNS dysfunction

[117]^b

model

9

2

oral

(severe) clinical signs/disease e.g. arthritis/lameness/swollen joints w/o recumbency; meningitis/central nervous signs

[53]

5–6

2

i.n.

[34]*

1–2

2

i.v., i.n.

[47]

7

2

i.v.

[120]

path.

6

2

s.c.

[78]

6

2

i.n.

[56]

(0)-1

2

i.n.

[38, 39]^e

3

/

i.v.

[121]

6-(7)

2

aerosolic

[55, 79, 88]

3

2

i.v.

[62]

3–4

2

i.n.

[37]^d

3

2

i.v.

[46]

vac.

9

2

i.n.

[122]

4

2

s.c.

[60]

2–3

2

i.n.

[36]^d

8

2

i.v.

[67, 68]

path.

4–5

2

i.v.

not clearly defined (“for animal welfare or ethical reasons”)

[6]

8

2

i.v.

[65]

1

2

i.v., i.n.

[118]

vac.

7

9

i.n.

[72]

9

2

i.v.

[123]