Objective measures for the assessment of post-operative pain in bos indicus bull calves following castration

Gabrielle C. Musk*, Stine Jacobsen, Timothy H. Hyndman, Heidi S. Lehmann, S. Jonathon Tuke, Teresa Collins, Karina B. Gleerup, Craig B. Johnson, Michael Laurence

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    10 Citations (Scopus)
    103 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    The aim of the study was to assess pain in Bos indicus bull calves following surgical castration. Forty-two animals were randomised to four groups: no castration (NC, n = 6); castration with pre-operative lidocaine (CL, n = 12); castration with pre-operative meloxicam (CM, n = 12); and, castration alone (C, n = 12). Bodyweight was measured regularly and pedometers provided data on activity and rest from day −7 (7 days prior to surgery) to 13. Blood was collected for the measurement of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, fibrinogen, and iron on days 0, 3 and 6. Bodyweight and pedometry data were analysed with a mixed effect model. The blood results were analysed with repeated measure one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was no treatment effect on bodyweight or activity. The duration of rest was greatest in the CM group and lowest in the C group. There was a significant increase in the concentrations of SAA, haptoglobin, and fibrinogen in all of the groups from day 0 to 3. Iron concentrations were not different at the time points it was measured. The results of this study suggest that animals rest for longer periods after the pre-operative administration of meloxicam. The other objective assessments measured in this study were not able to consistently differentiate between treatment groups.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number76
    JournalAnimals
    Volume7
    Issue number10
    ISSN2076-2615
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2017

    Keywords

    • Analgesia
    • Australia
    • Brahman
    • Husbandry
    • Welfare

    Cite this