On-Farm Point-of-Care Diagnostic Technologies for Monitoring Health, Welfare, and Performance in Livestock Production Systems

Abstract

The occurrence of infectious diseases has a significant adverse effect on livestock health and production efficiency. Current diagnostic approaches in veterinary practice are primarily focused on the observation of changes in physical, clinical, behavioral, or performance of individual or groups of animals. In recent years, these diagnostic approaches have markedly improved livestock profitability during their production cycle. This is mainly achieved by using reliable and conveniently available on-farm and point-of-care diagnostic technologies for the rapid and accurate management of animal health. The availability of on-farm and point-of-care technology is rapidly changing decisions for bovine practitioners on both individual sick cows and herd health level. Early detection of infectious diseases using quick, effective, low-cost, automated technologies will allow timely detection of infected animals, thus reducing the economic loss and associated abuse of antimicrobial therapy. Here we review the currently available on-farm and point-of-care diagnostic technologies for health surveillance and disease detection in livestock production systems. We additionally review the advantages and disadvantages of each methodology, concerning their possible effect on the improvement of animal welfare and productivity of farm animals.