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

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.