A new study1 published in Animal Welfare suggests that communication between veterinary surgeons and farmers about post-disbudding analgesia needs to be improved.

The study, which examined cattle farmers’ and veterinary surgeons' opinions of pain-induced distress associated with disbudding, analgesia and attitudes and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), suggests that in particular, vets need to refine their understanding of farmers’ priorities, and how they guide clients on methods to improve calf welfare.

There have been a number of studies into the pain-induced distress resulting from the disbudding procedure. All methods of disbudding (apart from chemical cauterisation) in the UK require the use of a corneal nerve local anaesthetic blockade but there are currently no legislative requirements for the use of NSAIDs for disbudding – it is at the discretion of the farmer or veterinary surgeon carrying out the procedure. NSAIDs are routinely used in companion animals and equine practice, but less so in farm animals.

This new study, conducted by researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in Hertfordshire and Aran Vet Clinic in Gwynedd, looked at the attitudes of farmers and vets on pain perception and pain management methods for disbudding. A total of 118 vets and 140 farmers contributed to the study. Of the respondents:

  • 98% of vets routinely use local anaesthetic when disbudding
  • 86% of farmers routinely use local anaesthetic when disbudding
  • 56% of vets routinely use NSAIDs for disbudding
  • 14% of farmers routinely use NSAIDs for disbudding 
  • 82% of vets perceived post-procedural pain to persist beyond 24 hours without medication
  • 43% of farmers perceived post-procedural pain to persist beyond 24 hours without medication
  • 29% of farmers said they have had discussions with their vets on the use of NSAIDs for disbudding.
  • Almost all vets and most farmers favoured NSAID use, with most vets stating that some (71%), if not all their clients (23%), would prefer calves to receive NSAIDs
  • 49% of vets reported that NSAIDs should be made compulsory for disbudding

The study concluded that veterinary surgeons underestimate the influences of welfare and analgesic duration and effectiveness on farmers' decisions, and overrated cost impact. This perception could have a negative effect on veterinary recommendation.

The authors of the study therefore advise that steps should be taken to address the current inadequacies in the communications between vets and clients in conveying the practicalities and potential benefits of using NSAIDs.

Dr Troy Gibson, PhD, PGDipSci, BSc, Lecturer in Animal Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College said: "Despite the large amount of evidence of the benefits of NSAIDs for disbudding, it is disappointing that their use is still not widespread. This may partly be due to the only recent licencing of one NSAID for cattle. However, from our work it is clear that one of the key barriers to wider uptake is the breakdown in communication between veterinarians and their clients in conveying the cost, practicalities and potential benefits of NSAID use for disbudding. The wider use of NSAIDs in combination with local anaesthetics during disbudding would significantly improve calf welfare."

Reference

  1. Study investigating the attitudes and opinions of cattle farmers and veterinarians in the UK on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for post-disbudding analgesia of calves. SYN Hambleton and TJ Gibson. Animal Welfare Vol 26 Issue 3.

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