{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,11,9]],"date-time":"2026-11-09T21:27:14Z","timestamp":1794259634520,"version":"4.9.0"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,13]],"date-time":"2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1736726400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs UK","award":["MH0140"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["MH0140"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Veterinary Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Penetrating captive bolt (PCB) is widely used for stunning and on-farm dispatch of livestock, yet its efficacy can vary, with the potential for animal welfare compromise. This study investigated the pathophysiology of PCB-induced trauma in horned and polled sheep (Ovis aries), focusing on factors contributing to incomplete concussion. Thirty-seven (n = 18 horned Scottish blackface and n = 19 polled North Country mule) mature ewes (aged 4\u201310 years) were shot with PCB with varying cartridge power and PCB modifications, followed by clinical assessment and post-mortem analysis using magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) and gross pathology. The results indicated that damage to the reticular activating system, bolt velocity and penetration depth are crucial for inducing irreversible unconsciousness, with depths less than 37 mm often resulting in incomplete concussion. MRI provided detailed insights into brain injuries, aligning well with gross pathological findings. This study highlights the importance of precise bolt placement and appropriate PCB configurations in ensuring humane outcomes, with MRI proving to be a valuable tool for assessing brain trauma in stunned animals. These findings enhance the understanding of effective stunning techniques and support improved welfare practices in livestock management.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci12010053","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,13]],"date-time":"2025-01-13T06:42:15Z","timestamp":1736750535000},"page":"53","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete Concussion"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1242-2695","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Troy John","family":"Gibson","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Animal Welfare Science and Ethics Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5210-0578","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anne Lisa","family":"Ridler","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, 4410 Palmerston North, New Zealand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Georgina","family":"Limon","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The Pirbright Institute, Woking GU24 0NF, UK"},{"name":"Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Christopher","family":"Lamb","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Independent Researchers, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alun","family":"Williams","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EN, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Neville George","family":"Gregory","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Independent Researchers, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,13]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"222","DOI":"10.1080\/10888705.2014.980579","article-title":"Factors affecting penetrating captive bolt gun performance","volume":"18","author":"Gibson","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. 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