Disease resilience in farm animals

Summary

Despite implementing animal health protocols and biosecurity measures, the prevalence of diseases in farm animals remains high, necessitating new strategies to enhance animal well-being. In addition to reducing antibiotic and drug usage, a proposed approach involves prioritizing animal resilience to diseases. Resilience, defined as the ability to withstand disturbances and recover swiftly, is a key aspect of promoting animal health. However, there is limited knowledge on measuring and influencing resilience. This thesis explores the potential impact of enriched conditions on pigs' resilience to disease and investigates whether pre-disease indicators in pigs and cows can predict resilience. The findings offer evidence that resilience to disease is both influenceable and predictable. Addressing the specific needs of farm animals emerges as crucial for enhancing their resilience to diseases. This research contributes valuable insights to assess and elevate animal resilience in the face of health challenges.