Effect of oral meloxicam on feed intake and pain perception in Jersey calves following cautery dehorning with a local anesthetic

Authors

  • Thyra Bierman Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108
  • Sandra Godden Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108
  • Hans Coetzee Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
  • Ricardo Chebel Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108
  • Maxim Cheeran Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108
  • Julie Cho Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20134231

Keywords:

dehorning, pain management, local anesthesia, NSAID, meloxicam, behavioral measure, distress, cautery dehorning

Abstract

Pain management during the dehorning of calves is an important welfare issue on dairy farms. The traditional approach of using only local anesthesia (i.e. a cornual nerve block with lidocaine) is only temporarily effective, and delays but does not prevent significant pain and distress to the calf. Recent research findings suggest that administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as injectable meloxicam in addition to local anesthesia can significantly reduce the signs of pain for ≥ 24 hours after cautery dehorning in 6- to 12-week-old Holstein calves. The objective of the current study was to conduct a randomized placebo-controlled trial to describe the effect of administration of oral meloxicam in addition to local anesthesia on behavioral measures of pain and distress following cautery dehorning in preweaned Jersey calves.

Cover image of the 46th Conference Proceedings: An image of cattle standing in a field during th day. They are looking rather indignantly at the camera. Yellow background.

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Published

2013-09-19

Issue

2013

Section

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