The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different methods of rubber-ring castration on
acute and chronic pain in calves.
Sixty-three 4–6 week-old calves were randomly and sequentially
allocated to one of five groups: Group RR (traditional rubber ring castration); group BRR (combination
of one rubber ring with Burdizzo); group Rcut (one rubber ring applied with the scrotal tissue and rubber
ring removed on day 9); group 3RR (three rubber rings placed one above the other around the scrotal
neck); and group CO (controls; sham-castrated). All calves received 0.2 mL/kg bodyweight lidocaine
2%, injected into the spermatic cords and around the scrotal neck 15 min before castration. The presence
of acute and chronic pain was assessed using plasma cortisol concentrations, response to palpation of
scrotal area, time from castration until complete wound healing, and behavioural signs.
Calves of group 3RR showed severe swelling and inflammation, and licking of the scrotal area occurred
significantly more often than in groups Rcut and CO. Technique 3RR was discontinued for welfare reasons
before the end of the study. All castration groups had significantly more pain upon palpation than calves
of group CO, but palpation elicited markedly less pain in group Rcut than in the other castration groups.
The most rapid healing time and shortest duration of chronic pain after castration was achieved in group
Rcut. For welfare reasons, the Rcut technique should be considered as a valuable alternative to traditional
rubber ring castration of calves at 4–6 weeks of age.
-
The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different methods of rubber-ring castration onacute and chronic pain in calves. Sixty-three 4–6 week-old calves were randomly and sequentiallyallocated to one of five groups: Group RR (traditional rubber ring castration); group BRR (combinationof one rubber ring with Burdizzo); group Rcut (one rubber ring applied with the scrotal tissue and rubberring removed on day 9); group 3RR (three rubber rings placed one above the other around the scrotalneck); and group CO (controls; sham-castrated). All calves received 0.2 mL/kg bodyweight lidocaine2%, injected into the spermatic cords and around the scrotal neck 15 min before castration. The presenceof acute and chronic pain was assessed using plasma cortisol concentrations, response to palpation ofscrotal area, time from castration until complete wound healing, and behavioural signs.Calves of group 3RR showed severe swelling and inflammation, and licking of the scrotal area occurredsignificantly more often than in groups Rcut and CO. Technique 3RR was discontinued for welfare reasonsbefore the end of the study. All castration groups had significantly more pain upon palpation than calvesof group CO, but palpation elicited markedly less pain in group Rcut than in the other castration groups.The most rapid healing time and shortest duration of chronic pain after castration was achieved in groupRcut. For welfare reasons, the Rcut technique should be considered as a valuable alternative to traditionalrubber ring castration of calves at 4–6 weeks of age.-
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
