Effect of surgical castration at different stages of maturity with or without analgesia on growth performance and acute-phase response

Authors

  • J. G. Powell Department of Animal Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
  • H. D. Hughes Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX 79016
  • J. T. Richeson Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX 79016
  • E. B. Kegley Department of Animal Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
  • N. C. Burdick Sanchez USDA-ARS, Livestock Issues Research Unit, Lubbock, TX 79401
  • J. A. Carroll USDA-ARS, Livestock Issues Research Unit, Lubbock, TX 79401

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20133843

Keywords:

castration, management practice, analgesia, meloxicam, NSAID, surgical castration, growth performance

Abstract

Although castration is a commonly practiced management procedure, it causes pain and stress that can temporarily reduce performance. Currently, there is no approved medication for analgesia in cattle. Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) approved by the FDA for analgesic use in companion animal species. The objective of this study was to determine whether surgical castration at birth or weaning with or without concurrent analgesia by administration of meloxicam impacts growth performance or the acute-phase response (APR).

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

Research Summaries 3

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