Utility of an online learning module to teach cautery disbudding technique for dairy calves, including cornual nerve block application

Abstract

Although disbudding or dehorning dairy heifers is necessary for the safety of humans and other cattle, it has been identified as a key animal welfare issue when done without appropriate analgesia. Three-quarters of all disbudding or dehorning is done by dairy producers or on-farm staff, while the remainder is done by a veterinarian or veterinary technician. Reported use of pain control for these procedures by dairy producers ranges from 15 to 60%. Cautery disbudding is the most commonly used method; best practices include administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) as well as local anesthetic given as a cornual nerve block (CNB). While NSAID administration is uncomplicated, CNB application requires technical training, which may limit use. Teaching methods have traditionally focused on one-on-one training with a veterinarian, although online disbudding training videos exist. To our knowledge, neither method has been studied for efficacy. Our objective was to determine if an online, interactive module could teach naive participants cautery disbudding technique, including CNB, as compared to hands-on training.