Use In Animal Husbandry Research Articles

Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Large-Scale Biochar Production and Use for Negative Emissions in Stockholm.

Several cities in Sweden are aiming for climate neutrality within a few decades and for negative emissions thereafter. Combined biochar, heat, and power production is an option to achieve carbon sequestration for cities relying on biomass-fuelled district heating, while biochar use could mitigate environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. By using prospective life cycle assessment, the climate impact of the pyrolysis of woodchips in Stockholm is compared with two reference scenarios based on woodchip combustion. The pyrolysis of woodchips produces heat and power for the city of Stockholm, and biochar whose potential use as a feed and manure additive on Swedish dairy farms is explored. The climate change mitigation trade-off between bioenergy production and biochar carbon sequestration in Stockholm's context is dominated by the fate of marginal power. If decarbonisation of power is achieved, building a new pyrolysis plant becomes a better climate option than conventional combustion. Effects of cascading biochar use in animal husbandry are uncertain but could provide 10-20% more mitigation than direct biochar soil incorporation. These results help design regional biochar systems that combine negative carbon dioxide emissions with increased methane and nitrous oxide mitigation efforts and can also guide the development of minimum performance criteria for biochar products.

Innovative pain management solutions in animals may provide improved wound pain reduction during debridement in humans: An opinion informed by veterinary literature.

Painful animal husbandry procedures are routinely performed in a range of livestock species without analgesia. Recently, innovative strategies have been developed to address wound pain in these animals. In particular, a farmer-applied "spray and stay" approach that is administered directly to open wounds was developed (Tri-Solfen® Medical Ethics Pty Ltd., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). This strategy anaesthetises the wounds immediately upon their formation, with long-lasting effect. This development, described as a "pain management revolution," has become firmly established in the Australian livestock industries and has global potential. The positive outcomes of this approach provide insights and highlight potential benefits that may be accrued from its use in human wound care, providing rapid-onset wound analgesia and/or anaesthetising wounds prior to cleansing and debridement procedures. If these benefits are realised from a clinician and patient perspective for wound debridement as an initial indication, it could provide new horizons in pain management for a spectrum of wound-related procedures. Evidence from use in animal husbandry does support the concept that multimodal anaesthesia holds great potential in the field of wound management across many procedures.

From farm management to bacteriophage therapy: strategies to reduce antibiotic use in animal agriculture.

To reduce the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture, a number of effective or commercially viable alternatives have been implemented by food animal producers or are under development. Perhaps the most well‐established strategies are flock and herd management practices to mitigate disease introduction and spread, and, subsequently, reduce the need for antibiotic use. While vaccines in food animal production have been used to prevent both bacterial and viral diseases, but historically, most vaccines have targeted viral diseases. Though vaccines against viral diseases can help reduce the need for antibiotic use by controlling the spread of secondary bacterial infections, more recent vaccines under development specifically target bacteria. New developments in selecting and potentially tailoring bacteriophages provide a promising avenue for controlling pathogenic bacteria without the need for traditional small‐molecule antibiotics. In this article we discuss these established and emerging strategies, which are anticipated to reduce the reliance on antibiotics in food animal production and should reduce the prevalence and transmission to humans of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from these systems.

Global resistance to antimicrobials and their sustainable use in agriculture

Global resistance to antimicrobials and their sustainable use in agriculture

Dairy farmers' perspectives on antibiotic use: A qualitative study

An important step in limiting the development of antibiotic resistance is reducing use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. Much research in this area has focused on individual farmer behavior, aiming to better align actual use with medical recommendations. However, farmers' practices and reasoning around their antibiotic use do not reflect solely that farmer as an individual. Rather, practices and worldviews are guided by context (e.g., veterinary advice, peer pressure, regulation, and interactions with farm animals). Studies that jointly embrace farmer agency and the wider structures for this agency, however, remain scarce. This paper draws on theories of behavior as socially constructed, and in particular on the concept of the "good farmer," to interpret findings from a study of 7 Swedish dairy farms. The results show that all farmers have close daily contact with their animals, have strong emotional ties, and place emphasis on the importance of being able to judge animal health status by eye. Half of the farms use an automatic milking system, and for these farmers automation means better monitoring of animal health without losing contact with the cows. The local veterinarian is considered a positive and important authority whose advice is valued. Despite comparatively strict antibiotic use regulations in Sweden, the farmers do not report lack of access to antibiotics when needed. However, they report feeling disadvantaged in international trade and poorly treated by the Swedish government, which allows imports of cheaper meat and dairy products produced under less strict regulations. The farmers are well informed about how to prevent and treat common diseases. In cases where they do not follow recommendations, we found that economic and labor constraints are the reason rather than lack of knowledge. We concluded that structural limitations faced by farmers, rather than lack of information, impose constraints to further limiting antibiotic use in Sweden. Overall stricter and more uniform global regulations on antibiotic use in animal farming could be an effective measure for reducing antibiotic use.

In Vitro Embryo Production in Sheep.

The recent advances in biotechnological research have led to development of many advanced reproductive techniques and biological tools which are set to revolutionize the productive efficiency of livestock species. The development of technology for sequencing of whole genomes and mass screening of gene regulation has widened our approach to genetic profiling and mapping, as well as furthering our understanding of underlying physiological mechanisms. The newer biotechnologies of gene transfer, in vitro fertilization and embryo production, cloning, and stem cell technology have been developed and are being refined with efficiencies suitable for use in animal farming. Efficient in vitro systems for maturing oocytes, fertilizing, and developing embryos have resulted in commercial in vitro production of embryos. Here we describe in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, embryo production, embryo culture, and quantitation of gene expression in sheep embryos.

Upotreba hormona u proizvodnji hrane za životinje - dijetarna izloženost potrošača i značaj u javnom zdravlju

Hormones are chemical substances naturally secreted in the body that regulate a wide range of physiological functions. However, during the last decades many cases of their illegal anabolic use in farm animals, aiming to obtain higher yields and profits in livestock production, have been documented. Given that these substances are carried over into body fluids and edible tissues, consumers may experience their impact through daily consumption of different products of animal origin, especially milk, meat and their products. Since many toxic effects of both natural and synthetic hormones have been evidenced, their use as an animal growth promoter is banned by the European Union. Insofar, a unique solution as to how to control the abuse of natural hormones in farm animals has not been found. Further research is needed to determine their natural levels in food in dependence on many factors of influence. Systematic monitoring of hormonal substances at all critical points of food production from field to table is necessary, together with continuous development of modern analytical methods in order to prevent hormone abuse and protect consumer health.

Disinfectants, modern characteristics and safety of use in animal husbandry

In Ukraine there is a complicated epizootic situation caused by the spread of serious viral diseases, in particular in the pig breeding of African swine fever (ACS) and epidemic swine diarrhea (EDS). In such conditions, the market for disinfectants is actively developing, but often drugs do not prevent the spread of viral diseases. This is due to the discrepancy in methods and doses of application, the weak effect on certain viruses and bacteria, and also the wrong organization of disinfection. The veterinary well-being of livestock farms, complexes and poultry farms largely depends on the regular and thorough carrying out of veterinary and sanitary measures. Disinfection is an important part of the measures aimed at preventing and controlling infectious animal diseases. In most cases, existing disinfectants and recommendations for their use were designed for large commodity and industrial complexes that do not fully meet the requirements of small farms. Most commonly used disposables are toxic to humans and animals (sodium or potassium hydroxide solution, bleach, phenol and others), so they should be carefully used to prevent poisoning. In veterinary practice there are practically no ecologically clean and safe disinfection means that can be used for sanitation of various objects of veterinary supervision, including in the presence of animals and poultry. The practice of using disinfectants in agriculture for persistent chemicals such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde and several others have proved to be unserviceable in many ways. Before all it is biological harmfulness, impossibility to carry out disinfection in the presence of animals and poultry, adaptation of pathogenic microflora, high cost, high complexity of treatment of objects, clogging of the external environment, etc. Most modern low-toxic disinfectants are used in the form of solutions by irrigation or aerosols, but it is not possible to rehabilitate their premises in the presence of animals. The use of these agents is also relatively labor-intensive, greatly increases the humidity in the room, and there is a likelihood of accumulation of their residual amounts in meat. Therefore, as an option - it is worth considering the current disinfection of premises with dry biocidal preparations, for example: Stalosan F (Vitfoss, Denmark), Dezosan Vigor (JHJ, Poland), Advais draj (NutriConcept, France), Lyubisan-eko, Lyubisan pyglet (LLC Ekodisan-Ukraine), Clinosan "ZVK" (Ukraine), Mecadzade (NPC "Globus", Ukraine) and others. These disinfectants, in their properties, are environmentally friendly, represent an amorphous powder of pleasant smell, which can absorb moisture. They are effective in the destruction and control of many bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and fly larvae. In addition, they improve the quality of the litter, reduce the ammonia content and moisture in livestock buildings. The main properties of the above-mentioned disinfectants include: use without restrictions in any livestock and poultry facilities (at doses of 30-50 g / m2, depending on the means), once a day during the first three days, then once a week at the indicated dose). In case of an increased risk of infection, use should be increased up to 2-3 times a week; urea bindings - prophylaxis of ammonia formation; prevention of manifestations of diseases associated with excessive moisture (dermatitis, coccidiosis, etc.); destruction and delay of the development of pathogenic and saprophytic molds, many bacteria (staphylococci, streptococcus, salmonella, pasteurens, emerios, coronaviruses), etc. When the disinfectant enters into or on the skin and mucous membranes, it does not exert an irritating effect on the organism of animals and birds. Has aseptic properties (healing of scratches and wounds of the skin). In the gastrointestinal tract, they destroy the pathogenic microflora; improves digestion and general physiological state. Activates indicators of humoral and cellular immunity. Improves animal survival and productivity. However, there are certain difficulties for dry disinfectants. First, imported disinfestations are relatively expensive (Stalosan F - up to 40 UAH, Dezosan Vigor - 30-35 UAH, Advice dry - 18-20, Mijsedas and Klinosan - 15-20 UAH / kg, depending on the seller price and the region. Secondly, the lack of domestic technical means for their sawing. Third, the use of the staff to certain means, and the transition to cheaper causes unpleasant organoleptic feelings during application. Thus, to date, both imported and domestic disinfectants have been developed and widely used, which are sufficiently effective. However, the range of preparations presented on the market of veterinary disinfectants does not fully meet the requirements that are being put forward to them. The means that would meet all the requirements for the quality and safety of disinfection is not enough today. Therefore, the development of new domestic disinfectants, especially dry forms, on time. Key words: veterinary well-being, veterinary-sanitary measures, sources of infection, pathogens transfer factors, susceptibility of the organism, complex of measures, disinfection tasks, disinfectant, animals, safe and high-quality products.

Resistance of Enterococcus spp. in Dust From Farm Animal Houses: A Retrospective Study.

In a retrospective study, the antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus spp. isolated from stored sedimentation dust samples from cattle, pig and poultry barns to 16 antibiotics was determined using a microdilution test. The resistance phenotypes of 70 isolates from different timespans (8 from the 1980s, 15 from the 1990s, 43 from the 2000s and 4 from 2015) were determined. Resistant enterococci were detected in samples from all time periods. Resistances to three or more antibiotics occurred in 69 percent of all isolates. The oldest multidrug resistant isolate was an Enterococcus faecium obtained from a 35-year-old pig barn dust sample. No correlations (ρ = 0.16, p = 0.187) were found between the age of isolates and the number of resistances. Instead, the number of resistances was associated with the origin of the isolates. An exact logistic conditional regression analysis showed significant differences in resistance to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, penicillin and tylosin between isolates from different animal groups. Interestingly, we isolated ciprofloxacin-resistant E. faecium from pig barn dust before fluoroquinolones were introduced into the market for use in animal husbandry. In conclusion, dust from farm animal houses is a reservoir and carrier of multidrug-resistant Enterococcus spp. People working in barns are unavoidably exposed to these bacteria. Furthermore, it can be hypothesized that emissions from barns of intensive livestock farming contaminate the environment with multidrug resistant enterococci.

85 Effect of a commercial phytogenic product on milk production.

With increased interest in reducing antibiotic use in animal agriculture there has been an increased interest in the use of phytogenic products. Within ruminant nutrition there have been products tested that are designed to modify rumen fermentation and products designed to promote gut health through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. A field trial was conducted using a phytogenic product, Digestarom® Dairy (BIOMIN Holding GmbH, Austria), to measure influence on energy corrected milk production. A commercial herd (Kenyon, MN) using a robot milking system was used for the test. Holstein cows, both prima and multi-parous were divided into two robot equipped pens each containing 62 cows (124 in total). Both groups of cattle averaged 45.0 kg in daily milk production Cattle were fed in a “switch back design” for four (4) weeks with a two week “rest period” were no treatment was supplied. Treatment consisted Digestarom®Dairy incorporated in the “robot” feed pellet in one group at a rate of 2 g per 5.7 kg of fed (0.035%) vs. control, the same pellet but without the phytogenic additive. All cows received the same partial mixed diet which included all feed not provided in the robot feeder. An automatic “broom” pushed feed up several times per day to assure that cattle always had access to this part of the diet. This was a commercial herd there were cows entering and leaving the groups, freshening and dry off. Only cows, total of 118, that went through the entire protocol were used in the statistical analysis. Data was analyzed with the GLIMMMIX procedure of SAS (Cary, NC). Results are presented in the table below. Feeding Digestarom® Dairy in this herd significantly improved energy corrected milk production.

Change it or perish? Drug resistance and the dynamics of livestock farm practices

Farm practices related to drug use in animal agriculture play an important role in the development of drug resistance. In this paper, I use Bourdieu's theory of practice to explore the field of deworming and how the use of deworming medications, also called anthelmintics, by farmers may be a pragmatic choice within the habitus of livestock farming. Drawing on 42 in-depth interviews with livestock farmers across England I show how farmers prioritise farm productivity and animal health and welfare to the detriment of an adequate use of anthelmintics, which may lead to an increase in drug resistance. I also discuss some of the particularities regarding the engagement between farmers, veterinarians and the industry, and how expert advice is commonly limited to one-way flow of information. As a strategy to address drug resistance in livestock, mainstream policy approaches to drug management in the farm have prioritised the development and dissemination of technical guidelines. However, these guidelines are usually disconnected from the farming context, do not take into account the complexity and challenges of farm everyday practices and are eventually rejected by farmers. Although there has been increased interest from the social sciences in studying the intersection between drug resistance and farmers' perceptions and behaviour, there is still a need for unpacking the often hidden dynamics and logics of farm practices, understanding how they shape animal health management and, more specifically, drug use. I argue that farm practices related to drug use are situated within a larger context of intensive animal production systems, which themselves contribute to the emergence of animal diseases, the medicalisation of animal production and drug resistance.

Assessing antimicrobial resistance gene load in vegan, vegetarian and omnivore human gut microbiota

Massive antimicrobial use in animal farming is considered as the greatest contributor to the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) in food of animal origin. Nevertheless, sewage from treated animals may impact on vegetables grown on fertilised fields, but it is largely unknown whether and to what extent ARB are transferred to vegetables and the human gut. It could be hypothesised that food of animal and vegetal origin have a different role in ARB transfer to the human gut and that different diets could be characterised by different antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) loads. This study included three groups comprising vegans (n = 26), vegetarians (n = 32) and omnivores (n = 43). Metadata regarding food consumption and anthropometric parameters were collected. Gut microbial communities were investigated by 16S rDNA analysis. Four ARGs (sul2, tetA, blaTEM and strB) were quantified by qPCR. The results showed a lower total load of investigated ARGs in vegan diet (pairwise comparison adjusted results: omnivorous-vegan, P = 0.0119; omnivorous-vegetarian, P = 0.7416; and vegan-vegetarian, P = 0.0119). No significant differences in abundance of each gene separately were found between the three groups. Neither the amount of animal protein nor the occurrence of ARGs was significant in explaining differences in the gut microbial community of individuals, and a large proportion of the differences between community composition (PERMANOVA, 46.87%) was not explained by the analysed variables. The results support the role of omnivorous and vegetarian diets in accumulating ARGs, suggesting a possible role for animal-derived food consumption.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Nontyphoidal Salmonella.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella is the most common foodborne bacterial pathogen in most countries. It is widely present in food animal species, and therefore blocking its transmission through the food supply is a prominent focus of food safety activities worldwide. Antibiotic resistance in non-typhoidal Salmonella arises in large part because of antibiotic use in animal husbandry. Tracking resistance in Salmonella is required to design targeted interventions to contain or diminish resistance and refine use practices in production. Many countries have established systems to monitor antibiotic resistance in Salmonella and other bacteria, the earliest ones appearing the Europe and the US. In this chapter, we compare recent Salmonella antibiotic susceptibility data from Europe and the US. In addition, we summarize the state of known resistance genes that have been identified in the genus. The advent of routine whole genome sequencing has made it possible to conduct genomic surveillance of resistance based on DNA sequences alone. This points to a new model of surveillance in the future that will provide more definitive information on the sources of resistant Salmonella, the specific types of resistance genes involved, and information on how resistance spreads.

Systematic Review of Phytotherapeutic Treatments for Different Farm Animals Under European Conditions.

The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat and has aroused a global interest in limiting antibiotic use in animal agriculture. As we are entering the post-antibiotic era, there is a growing need for identifying alternatives to antibiotics for prevention and treatment. Although phytotherapeutic remedies are available and are used in Europe, evidence of their efficacy is currently very limited but is nevertheless still necessary. A systematic review of phytotherapy used for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in farm animals has been conducted using the PICOS approach. Analysis and extraction of information from studies was performed according to a protocol, and included: publication year and source, research body, species, farming system, purpose of application, disease in focus, diagnostic method, remedy used (origin and ingredients of the remedy), producer of remedy, way of administration, study design, and control groups, measure of effect, and outcome of the study. A total of 1,705 papers were screened, but only 44 (comprising 53 independent studies) met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the scientific studies identified show limitations in the study design as well as in presentation and standardization of the botanical remedies studied, which limits the possibilities of drawing firm conclusions. Preventive effect was investigated in 89% of the studies. Half of the studies reported uncertain effects of the botanical remedies on subclinical measures in comparison to a control group. The review highlights unresolved questions such as the need for standardized controlled trials and for improved standardization of the botanical products by analytical methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography. It is necessary to consider this in order to achieve replicable outcomes and establish efficacy and safety of phytotherapy in farm practice. The manageability of alternative medicine in farm animals also warrants further investigation so as to ascertain whether all necessary preconditions for their use are being granted.

Reducing antimicrobial use in farm animals: how to support behavioral change of veterinarians and farmers.

• Prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock requires the adoption of management and treatment practices which replace or reduce the need for antimicrobials by veterinarians and farmer. • The adoption of these new practices equals behavior changes of these actors. • Changing human behavior can be very difficult, especially when the behaviors of interest are routine behaviors. • The use of social sciences can be of great value in understanding why veterinarians and farmers act in certain ways and how they can be motivated to change antimicrobial use practices.

Chemical Synthesis and Functional Analysis of VarvA Cyclotide.

Cyclotides are circular peptides found in various plant families. A cyclized backbone, together with multiple disulfide bonds, confers the peptides’ exceptional stability against protease digestion and thermal denaturation. In addition, the features of these antimicrobial molecules make them suitable for use in animal farming, such as aquaculture. Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis on 2-chlorotrityl chlorine (CTC) resin using the “tea-bag” approach was conducted to generate the VarvA cyclotide identified previously from Viola arvensis. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry determined the correct peptide amino acid sequence and the cyclization sites-critical in this multicyclic compound. The cyclotide showed antimicrobial activity against various Gram-negative bacteria, including recurrent pathogens present in Chilean aquaculture. The highest antimicrobial activity was found to be against Flavobacterium psychrophilum. In addition, membrane blebbing on the bacterial surface after exposure to the cyclotide was visualized by SEM microscopy and the Sytox Green permeabilization assay showed the ability to disrupt the bacterial membrane. We postulate that this compound can be proposed for the control of fish farming infections.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in local and imported poultry meat in Ghana

Antibiotic use in animal husbandry has raised concerns on the spread of resistant bacteria. Currently animal products are traded globally with unprecedented ease, which has been challenging the control of antimicrobial resistance. This study aims to detect and characterize extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from imported and locally produced poultry products sold in Ghana.Local and imported chicken meat was collected from 94 stores and markets throughout Kumasi (Ghana) and cultured on selective ESBL screening agar. Phenotypic ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were confirmed by combined disc test and further characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing, amplification of the blaCTX-M, blaTEM and blaSHV genes as well as multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and linked to the country of origin.Out of 200 meat samples, 71 (36%) samples revealed 81 ESBL-producing isolates (46 E. coli and 35 K. pneumoniae), with 44% (30/68) of local poultry and 31% (41/132) of imported products being contaminated. Most ESBL-producing isolates harboured the blaCTX-M-15 gene (61/81, 75%) and the dominant Sequence Types (ST) were ST2570 (7/35, 20%) among K. pneumoniae and ST10 (5/46, 11%) among E. coli.High numbers of ESBL-producing bacteria, particularly on local but also imported poultry meat, represent a potential source for human colonization and infection as well as spread within the community. Surveillance along the poultry production-food-consumer chain would be a valuable tool to identify sources of emerging multidrug resistant pathogens in Ghana.

Submerged liquid fermentation of Ulva prolifera Müller tissue and applications for improving growth performance in juvenile abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino)

Ulva prolifera Muller, an alga rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, is a natural feed resource for aquatic animals. In this study, instead of extracting polysaccharides (PUs) from U. prolifera, algae powder was used directly as the primary carbon source in a fermentation medium. Five percent (5%) algae powder was more conducive to fermentation. Using submerged liquid fermentation, the soluble components of U. prolifera were released efficiently in a 50-L fermenter. Levels of mannitol acquired using submerged liquid fermentation were 1.8 times higher than those acquired using the hot-water method, and polysaccharides were efficiently hydrolyzed to form oligosaccharides with an average molecular weight of approximately 3300 Da. Furthermore, a 2-month experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of U. prolifera fermentation extracts on the growth performance of juvenile abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino). Diets containing algae fermentation extracts in concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 1% significantly increased linear shell growth rate (LGR), weight growth rate (WGR), and specific growth rate (SGR). Diets supplemented with fermentation extracts in concentrations of 0.5 and 1% significantly increased the degree of green coloration in the shell. Treatment of algae tissue using submerged liquid fermentation has the advantages of high efficiency and convenient process monitoring. Additionally, the technique can be scaled up for use in animal husbandry and aquaculture.

МЕМБРАНОСТАБИЛИЗИРУЮЩАЯ АКТИВНОСТЬ ГУМИНОВЫХ ВЕЩЕСТВ КАК ИНТЕГРАЛЬНЫЙ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЬ ИХ ГЕПАТОПРОТЕКТОРНЫХ СВОЙСТВ

The article presents the results of the development of technology for obtaining and evaluating the biological activity of a feed additive containing humic acids. The technology of obtaining humic derivatives of high quality and with high stability of components from organic livestock wastes has been optimized. A humic feed additive has been developed and an estimation of its biological activity in vitro using a cell level test system (Paramecium caudatum) has been made. The presence of membrane-protective properties in humic derivatives has been revealed, which discovers the prospects of their use in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine as the means, possessing a hepatoprotective orientation and increasing the resistance of the organism to various unfavorable factors.

Ultrasensitive detection of salbutamol in animal urine by immunomagnetic bead treatment coupling with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Salbutamol (SAL) is a β2-adrenergic receptor, which could produce leaner meat with a higher muscle to fat ratio for livestock, has been prohibited for use in animal farming in many countries because of its harmful effect to the health of consumers. In this study, we present a novel method based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the sensitive and quantitative detection of trace amount of SAL in animal urine samples by reoxidized graphene oxide/gold nanoparticle hybrids (rGO/AuNPs) substrates and the immunomagnetic bead sample treatment. Compared with the regular graphene/gold nanoparticles (GO/AuNPs) substrates, the rGO/AuNPs substrates by the second oxidization pretreatment exhibited an excellent SERS activity with an enhancement factor of ∼108. Under the optimal detection conditions, the limit of detection of SAL in urine sample is 0.5ngmL−1 with a linear response of the matrix-matched calibration standard curves range from 1.0–20ngmL−1, and the recovery of SAL from spiked urine samples are in the range of 85.2–92.5% with the relative standard deviations (RSD) values <3.18%. The inter- and intra- day detection precisions is less than 6.28%, and the storage time of the substrates is no less than 4 weeks under 4°C temperature. The results of the proposed SERS detection method agree well with those determined by LC–MS/MS, while the detection time is significantly reduced to 15min/sample. All these are demonstrated to be a reliable, rapid, simple and ultrasensitive analytical method for detecting SAL in urine samples, and could also be applied for the routine monitoring of the illicit use of SAL in animal farming.