Calcium Chloride, Practical Necrotising Agent

Abstract

The use of a 50% aqueous or a saturated alcoholic solution of calcium chloride for dehorning or castrating calves is described. For dehorning the solution (0.75 to 2.0 ml) is injected at the centre of the area to be destroyed to form a uniform ring of swelling around the germinal center. Of 100 calves injected with the alcoholic solution 96 were successfully dehorned. For castration the site of injection is near the tail of the epididymis with doses ranging from 1.0 to 1.5 ml per 45 kg body weight. Few calves showed discomfort and the orchitis subsided in 3-6 days. Atrophy was complete after 1-3 months.