Tail Docking Of Lambs Research Articles

PSLBI-14 Assessment of the effective tissue concentrations of injectable lidocaine and a lidocaine-impregnated latex band for castration in calves and lambs

Abstract Tail docking in lambs and castration in lambs and calves are common husbandry practices, both of which cause pain and discomfort, for which many industries recommend or require pain management. The purpose of this study was to assess the effective tissue concentrations of the current standard of care for pain mitigation in calves and lambs during castration or tail docking (injectable lidocaine) and to assess the ability of a lidocaine-loaded elastration band (LLB) to deliver effective concentrations into the scrotal or tail tissues over time. This work comprised four different field trials (n = 50/trial): 1) effective concentrations of injectable lidocaine in the scrotal tissue of dairy calves; 2) the in vivo delivery of effective concentrations of lidocaine from LLBs placed on the calf scrotums; 3) effective concentrations of injectable lidocaine in the scrotal and tail tissue of lambs; and 4) the in vivo delivery of effective concentrations of lidocaine from LLBs placed on the lamb scrotums and tails. Sensation in the tissue of interest was assessed by electrocutaneous stimulation. Sensation was correlated to tissue concentrations of lidocaine by analyzing sampled tissue for lidocaine content by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Injectable lidocaine allowed for short-term anesthesia for up to 60 min calves, highlighting the importance of finding additional strategies to mitigate long-term pain. An effective concentration (EC) yielding 50% reduction in tissue sensation (EC50) of 0.635 (95% CI 0.462 to 0.829) mg/g was calculated for calf scrotal tissue. Based on HPLC data of processed biopsy samples taken over time, the LLBs yielded tissue concentartions of lidocaine that approached EC50 and exceeded EC95 at 2 and 72 h following application, respectively, and remained above those concentartions for at least 28 d after application. In lambs, injectable lidocaine allowed for short-term anesthesia for up to 180 min following injection. An EC50 of 0.174 (95% CI 0.125 to 0.248) mg/g was calculated for lamb scrotal tissue and an EC50 of 0.0765 (95% CI 0.0533 to 0.113) mg/g was calculated for lamb tail tissue. The use of the LLB provided tissue lidocaine concentrations that met or exceeded the EC50 for at least 21 to 28 d and, based on electrostimulation data, provided local anesthesia for at least 3 d when compared with a control band. The use of an LLB could provide a practical, long-duration alternative to injectable lidocaine for pain mitigation during castration and tail docking. Further studies are warranted to compare the use of LLBs to injectable local anesthetics.

Efficacy of a Lidocaine-Impregnated Elastrator Band for Castration and Tail Docking in Lambs.

The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate the non-inferiority between lidocaine-impregnated ligation bands (LLBs) and control bands (CBs) with respect to the efficacy of castration and tail docking. Secondary objectives were to compare castration and tail-docking success, evaluate local site reactions, and compare average daily gain (ADG) between the treatment groups. A total of 238 male lambs were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive LLBs or CBs on their tail and scrotum. Lambs were weighed, had a health assessment, and the band site was observed on -3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after the bands were applied. A linear regression model was built to assess average daily gain, whereas a repeated measures model was used to evaluate body weight differences at each of the measured timepoints. Furthermore, logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations with casting outcomes. Few differences were noted between treatment groups with respect to casting success for the scrotum and tail and ADG over the entire experimental period. Non-inferiority calculations demonstrated no differences in tail docking and scrotal casting success, with casting occurring for the majority of animals by d 21 and d 42 for castration and tail docking, respectively. However, lambs receiving LLBs gained more weight from d -3 to 7 (+0.03 kg/d; 95% CI: 0 to 0.07), which may be an indication of effective pain control during the first week following band application. Overall, the use of an LLB does not affect the time to successful casting of the tail and could improve short-term growth when compared to a control band. Further studies are needed to compare LLBs to multimodal methods of pain relief.

Infrared Thermographic Imaging as a Tool to Assess Inflammatory and Ischemic Response With Rubber Ring Tail Docking in Suffolk and Hampshire Lambs (Ovis Aries)

ABSTRACT Tail docking in lambs is associated with an acute inflammatory and ischemic response correlated to pain. The present study sought to quantify these responses by utilizing infrared thermographic imaging (IRT) after tail docking lambs. Images were taken for each lamb before tail docking (T0), within a minute after the band was placed (T1), at 5 minutes (T5), and 15 minutes (T15) respectively and analyzed for pixel intensity in areas on the lamb’s rump, tail base, and two locations below the docking band. The pixel intensity at 2 cm below the docking band did significantly decrease (p < 0.05) over the course of the study at 15 minutes, indicating the presence of ischemia, and a significant decrease in the pixel intensity of the rump and tail base was observed. The closest location to the rubber ring showed the presence of inflammation as an indirect indicator of acute pain . IRT is a valuable tool in the detection of inflammation and ischemic areas and has the potential to be used to quantify and measure the experience of inflammation and pain after tail docking.

Assessment of the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Injectable Lidocaine and a Lidocaine-Impregnated Latex Band for Castration and Tail Docking in Lambs.

The objectives of this study were to assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the current standard-of-care for pain mitigation in lambs during castration and tail docking (injectable lidocaine) and assess the ability of Lidocaine-Loaded Bands (LLBs) to deliver therapeutic concentrations into the contacted tissues over time. The study was comprised of four different trials: (1) investigation of in vitro release of lidocaine from LLBs; (2) pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of injectable lidocaine in scrotal and tail tissue; (3) pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of in vivo delivery of lidocaine with LLBs placed on the tail and scrotum of lambs; and (4) a "proof-of-concept" study comparing the sensation of control- versus LLB-banded tail tissue over time. The use of injectable lidocaine provides effective short-term anesthesia for 120 to 180 min following the injection; however, additional strategies are needed to manage long-term pain. The use of an LLB could provide an alternative where tissue lidocaine concentrations meet or exceed the EC50 for at least 21-28 days and, based on electrostimulation data, provides local anesthesia for at least 3 days when compared to a control band. Further studies are needed to compare the use of an injectable local anesthetic to the LLBs.

PSX-29 Lidobands for Use in Lambs

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo release concentrations of lidocaine into scrotal neck tissues and tail tissues following the application of lidocaine-loaded elastrator bands (LLBs) at acute time points (0.5, 1, 2, 24, and 72 hours) and chronic time points (14, 21, 28, and 35 days). To correlate the reaction of an animal to peripheral variable nerve stimulation with scrotal tissue lidocaine concentration. To correlate cortisol and substance P concentrations in treated animals at baseline (time 0) and 24, 72, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days to a control group. Fifty lambs were divided into ten groups consisting of Acute Pain Groups: Group A: 5 intact males. After baseline body weights, blood samples, and electro-cutaneous responses were collected, animals were band-castrated and tail-docked via LLBs on day 0, time (T) = 0. At T = 0.5 hr, the band was removed, and an electro-cutaneous response was measured at the tissue at the band sites. Punch tissue biopsies (including skin and subcutaneous tissue) were collected from the areas in direct contact with the band at each site for a total of 4 biopsies per animal. Group B: repeat of group A with the band removed and animal tested at T = 1 hr, Group C: T = 2 hr, Group D: T = 24 hr, Group E: T = 72 hr, Chronic Pain Groups: Group F: T = 14 d, Group G: T = 21 d, Group H: T = 28 d, Group I: T = 35 d, Control Group: Group J: repeat of group A except animals were band castrated and tail-docking with control bands (i.e., no lidocaine) on day 0. Body weight was recorded at T = 0 and 14, 21, and 28 d. A blood sample was collected at T = 0, 24, 72 hr, then T = 8, 21, 28, and 35 d. LLBs yielded decreased stimulation scores by 1 hr (60 min) post-banding with the tails and by 2 hr (120 min) for the scrotums. There were no adverse events or device failures (i.e., band breakage or failure to castrate/ tail-dock) observed during this study. Lidocaine-infused bands hold promise for reducing pain associated with castration and tail docking in lambs.

Role of Topical Anaesthesia in Pain Management of Farm Animals, a Changing Paradigm.

Simple SummaryImproved on-farm animal welfare is increasingly expected by consumers of livestock products, yet motivating farmers to adopt practice changes is challenging, with many presuming increased regulations are required. Husbandry procedures are routinely conducted in livestock production globally, mostly without analgesia, despite recognition they cause pain. Similarly, debilitating transboundary viral infections, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), occur in numerous countries, with affected animals often treated with antimicrobial preparations and infrequently with pain relief, despite obvious suffering. A commercially available, farmer-applied spray-on topical anaesthetic formulation (TAF), containing two topical anaesthetics, an antiseptic and adrenalin in a gel matrix (Tri-Solfen®, Medical Ethics, Australia), provides almost instant pain relief when applied to wounds and lesions incurred during husbandry procedures and FMD infections, respectively, with field trials demonstrating that pain and suffering are markedly reduced. Additional benefits occur when the TAF is used with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with parenteral and oral applications increasingly available. As the TAF hastens healing rates, improves animal demeanour and provides antisepsis, the requirement for antimicrobials to manage risk of secondary bacterial infections is diminished, offering antimicrobial-resistance (AMR) stewardship. As pain management improves recovery rates, it enhances farmer animal health and welfare attitudes and increases livestock productivity and efficiency.Field evidence indicates that livestock producers are motivated by access to products that readily deliver pain management during husbandry interventions and, more recently, viral epidermal infectious diseases, including FMD. There has been impressive adoption in Australia of a farmer-applied spray-on topical anaesthetic wound formulation (TAF; Tri-Solfen®, Medical Ethics, Australia), initially for managing pain of the breech modification ‘mulesing’ procedure that reduces susceptibility of sheep to flystrike. Over 120 million lambs have now received pain relief and cattle producers have commenced using the TAF for a range of husbandry procedures. This product has demonstrated efficacy for surgical castration and tail docking of lambs, surgical castration and dehorning of calves, surgical castration of piglets, debridement of lesions of the hoof for lame cattle and, importantly, treatment of clinical FMD lesions, including decubitus ulcerations occurring from prolonged recumbency. Multimodal use of an NSAID for improved pain management is advocated, particularly meloxicam, available by prescription from veterinarians for injection and as an oral formulation (Ilium Buccalgesic®, Troy Laboratories, Australia), with current work assessing the potential for prolonged delivery in molasses blocks. Increased use of TAF with NSAIDs significantly reduces pain and suffering in livestock, with enhanced healing of FMD lesions, reduced viral loads from Orf infections in lambs and diminished necessity of ‘antibiotic cover’, assisting antimicrobial-resistance (AMR) stewardship.

Importance of tail length in sheep and the breeding for short tails

Breeding for short tails in sheep may represent a good measure in order to avoid the continuation of tail docking in lambs. Since the ancestor of domestic sheep, the mouflon, has a short, narrow tail, it may be assumed that longer tails are a result of domestication. Previous studies on the heritability of tail length in domestic sheep were able to show values of 0.38 to 0.77, depending on the breed. Breeding for short tails must however ensure the avoidance of spinal malformations and those of neighboring structures. Until breeding progress is achieved, management measures may reduce the negative effects of long and woolly tails (e. g. myiasis, dermatitis). This includes prevention of diarrhea by balanced, ruminant-friendly feeding, a farm-specific and sustainable parasite management program as well as the deliberate shearing of uncut tails.

Three Studies Evaluating the Potential for Lidocaine, Bupivacaine or Procaine to Reduce Pain-Related Behaviors following Ring Castration and/or Tail Docking in Lambs.

Simple SummaryLambs are routinely castrated and/or tail docked. Local anesthesia could improve lamb welfare, but data on the duration of effect of local anesthetics are not available. This study evaluated the efficacy of lidocaine, procaine, or bupivacaine in terms of the behavioral response to castration and/or tail docking. The benefits of local anesthetics were modest. The effects of procaine appear to last longer than lidocaine, while bupivacaine is slower to take effect but may provide longer-lasting pain relief. The duration of action of local anesthetics is limited in sheep, and detailed behavioral evaluations are required in the first hour post-procedure to observe efficacy.The use of local anesthesia at the time of ring castration and tail docking can improve lamb welfare. However, few local anesthetics are registered for sheep, and data on their duration of effect is limited. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of procaine (P), lidocaine (L), and bupivacaine (B) in terms of observed alleviation of behavioral responses to castration and/or tail docking in 10-min blocks in the first 60 min post-treatment. In each study, comparisons were made between two groups of lambs castrated and/or tail docked with rubber rings and either receiving the agent using the NUMNUTS® instrument (N) or receiving no anesthetic agent (RR). Acute pain behavior was lower in NL (n = 28) than RRL (n = 15) males in the first 10 min post-procedure (p < 0.05); lower in NB (n = 16) than RRB (n = 16) males in periods 10–20 min (0.05 < p < 0.01), 20–30 min (p < 0.05) and 40–50 min (0.05 < p < 0.01); lower in NB (n = 16) than RRB (n = 16) females between 20 and 40 min post-procedure (0.05 < p < 0.01); lower in NP (n = 8) than RRP (n = 7) males in period 10–20 min (0.05 < p < 0.01), and lower in NP (n = 9) than RRP (n = 9) females in periods 0–10 min (0.05 < p < 0.01), and 10–40 min (p < 0.05). Benefits were modest, and the effects of procaine appear to last longer than lidocaine, while bupivacaine is slower to take effect than either procaine or lidocaine but may provide longer-lasting pain relief. The duration of action of local anesthetics is short in sheep, and detailed behavioral evaluations are required in the first hour post-procedure to establish efficacy.

Provision of straw and the presence of undocked lambs reduce the behavioural and physiological expressions of pain and stress associated with tail docking in lambs: a preliminary study

Aims The aim of this experiment was to determine if the provision of straw and the presence of undocked twins could be used to mitigate the pain experienced by lambs having their tails docked using rubber rings. Methods A total of 54 twin St. Croix 60-days-old weaned lambs were assigned to one of four treatments: (i) the presence of undocked twins and no provision of straw (U); (ii) the provision of straw and no presence of undocked twins (St); (iii) the provision of straw and the presence of undocked twins (StU); and (iv) no provision of straw and no presence of undocked twins (C). Straw was provided as bed material over the concrete floor; whereas the presence of undocked twins was achieved by leaving one twin intact within each pair. From the placement of the rubber rings, the behaviour of tail-docked twins was video recorded continuously for 60 min, and blood samples were taken from these lambs immediately before placing the rubber ring (time 0), and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 24, 48 and 72 h after, for cortisol and physio-metabolic profiles determination, and at 168 h after, for cortisol determination. Key results Lambs in treatment C spent three times longer in abnormal lying postures (P = 0.002) compared with St and StU lambs (6.49 ± 4.73 vs 1.78 ± 1.26 and 1.83 ± 1.94 min respectively). Lambs in all treatments experienced an increase in cortisol levels 1 h after tail docking, except for StU lambs. In addition, 48 and 72 h after tail docking, lambs in treatments St and StU had lower concentrations of cortisol than C lambs. Conclusion This study shows that the provision of straw and the presence of undocked twins reduce the behavioural and physiological expressions of pain associated with tail docking in lambs. Implications In lambs raised under intensive conditions, the addition of straw as bedding material and the presence of intact tail lambs could be a practical strategy to improve the welfare of tail-docked lambs, whereas for those lambs raised under extensive conditions, leaving intact those lambs that will be sold might serve as social buffering for their tail-docked conspecifics that will remain in the farm.

Impact of a Topical Anaesthesia Wound Management Formulation on Pain, Inflammation and Reduction of Secondary Infections after Tail Docking in Lambs.

Simple SummaryTail docking is routinely conducted in sheep husbandry around the world, often without anaesthesia or analgesia despite recognition that it is a painful process. Several methods are used, although the Council of Europe states that surgical methods with anaesthesia should be used to dock the tail, with these recommendations copied into national legislation by most European countries. However, no studies have been documented comparing the use of general anaesthesia and stitching. This study compared different surgical approaches with and without general anaesthesia, and with and without surgical stitching, plus examined the efficacy of applying a commercially available wound gel spray containing topical anaesthetics and an antiseptic, immediately on tail amputation. Results demonstrated that lambs display more pain when the surgery included stitching and these wounds became more readily infected, potentially requiring antibiotic therapy. As the generation of potential antimicrobial resistance and drug residues issues in food-producing animals from over-use of antibiotics is an emerging one health consideration, the availability of a topical anaesthetic formulation that provides pain relief and contains an antiseptic that reduces secondary infections and hasten wound healing, is of potential importance for improving husbandry procedures such as tail docking.We examined several procedures for surgical tail docking; with and without general anaesthesia (GA), including the use of a topical wound gel formulation to provide pain relief (PR) and improve healing after surgery, containing local anaesthetics lignocaine and bupivacaine, with cetrimide and adrenalin. Forty-four lambs were recruited into four equal cohorts: Groups A and C, the tail was excised with a scalpel without anaesthesia or stitches; Groups B and D, the tail was surgically excised and stitched under GA; Groups C and D wounds were immediately sprayed with PR. Behavioural observations identified that Groups A and C displayed significantly less pain-related behaviours than Groups B and D shortly after the procedure, especially if treated with PR. Similarly, the mean of days when animals showed no signs of wound infection was longer in the groups not undergoing stitching. Finally, treatment with PR appeared to reduce the cortisol response and avoided the elevation of serum amyloid A in lambs where the tail was excised without general anaesthesia. In conclusion, surgical tail-docking without GA but where wounds are immediately sprayed with PR, appears as an affordable and more welfare-appropriate method for conducting tail docking in lambs.

Self-administration by consumption of flunixin in feed alleviates the pain and inflammation associated with castration and tail docking of lambs

It can be impractical for farmers to provide pain relief to livestock following husbandry procedures such as castration and tail-docking, particularly in pasture-based systems because animals need to be repeatedly gathered to handling facilities and restrained. We investigated whether voluntary consumption by lambs of an analgesic incorporated into feed can achieve pain relief following surgical castration and hot-knife tail-docking. Sixty-four, singleton, male Merino lambs were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: sham castration and tail-docking (S), castrated+tail-docked+no pain relief (C), castrated+tail-docked+flunixin in feed (4.0mg/kg, CF) and castrated+tail-docked+flunixin injection (2mg/kg, CI). Haematology, cortisol, and plasma haptoglobin concentrations were measured before and up to 48h after treatment. Lambs also had their scrotal and tail wounds scored based on severity of swelling and wound appearance, with 2 being a healed wound and 8 being severe swelling and evident necrosis and pus. Behaviours were recorded by video for 12h after treatment. Lambs in the CF and CI groups displayed fewer active pain avoidance behaviours (P<0.05, mean=3.06 and 3.75 respectively) than C lambs (mean=6.06) in the first hour following treatment. CF and CI lambs also displayed fewer pain related postures in the 12h following treatments. All lambs that were castrated and tail-docked had an increase in cortisol 30min after treatment (df=57, P<0.05 for all). The CI group had lower cortisol concentrations by 6h (t=2.17, 25.02nmol/L) and CF by 12h (t=1.76, 33.44nmol/L) compared with C lambs, however these concentrations were still above basal levels. Flunixin treatment also reduced inflammation, with CF and CI lambs having lower neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios and lower mean wound scores than C lambs. Provision of flunixin in feed was as effective as the flunixin injection in improving behaviour and reducing inflammation in lambs following castration and tail-docking.

Do psychological and physiological stressors alter the acute pain response to castration and tail docking in lambs?

ObjectiveTo investigate whether events that may be stressful to young lambs, including simulated infection or social isolation, modulate pain experienced by lambs following castration and tail docking (C/D). Study designRandomised, controlled, prospective study. AnimalsFifty male lambs born to 46 second-parity Mule ewes. MethodsLambs were allocated randomly to one of four groups, experiencing either a potential stressor or handling on day 2 after birth, followed by C/D or handling only on day 3. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) data [mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT), Semmes Weinstein filaments (SW), response to cold] and serum cortisol concentration were measured at time points after application of treatments to lambs on days 2 and 3 after birth. The treatment groups were LPS, injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide IV on day 2, C/D on day 3; ISOL, isolation from the dam for 10 minutes on day 2, C/D on day 3; CAST, handling only on day 2, C/D on day 3; CONT, handled only on days 2 and 3. ResultsCastration and tail docking caused transient hypoalgesia as measured by MNT and SW. Simulated infection and isolation caused hyperalgesia 3 hours after application, indicated by a reduction in MNT, however they did not alter the pain response to C/D compared to lambs in the CAST group. Injection of LPS and C/D caused increased serum cortisol concentration. The magnitude of the cortisol response to C/D was not altered by prior exposure to either LPS or isolation. Conclusions and clinical relevanceLPS and isolation did not modulate the response to C/D but did cause hyperalgesia. This highlights the importance of flock health management and husbandry techniques to reduce the incidence of either systemic infection or psychological stressors in young lambs.

Effect of age at castration on behavioural response to subsequent tail docking in lambs

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of age at castration on the subsequent behavioural response to tail docking. Study designRandomised prospective blinded experimental study. AnimalsForty–five male lambs were admitted to the study at birth. MethodsThe lambs were allocated into two groups for castration by rubber ring at 1 (1D, n = 20) or 10 (10D, n = 25) days of age. Following castration both groups of lambs were tail–docked by rubber ring at between 26 and 34 days of age. Their behavioural responses to tail docking were recorded by video for 30 minutes before (n = 11) and 30 minutes after (n = 45) tail docking. Statistical differences were tested using anova with Mann–Whitney post–hoc testing. ResultsTwo data sets were removed resulting in n = 19 and = 24 at 1D and 10D, respectively. A significant increase in the incidence of active and abnormal postural behaviour was seen in both groups after tail docking. Three behaviours were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the two groups. These behaviours were rolling, standing unsteadily and the total proportion of time standing with abnormal posture. These behaviours all had greater incidence in the lambs castrated at 1D of age. ConclusionsLambs castrated at 1D appeared to perceive a greater intensity of pain after subsequent tail docking than lambs castrated at 10D. Clinical relevanceThe timing of a single noxious stimulus in young animals can affect subsequent pain perception.

Topical anaesthesia alleviates short‐term pain of castration and tail docking in lambs

To investigate the effect of a topical anaesthetic formulation on pain alleviation, wound healing and systemic levels of local anaesthetic actives in lambs undergoing castration and tail docking. Three placebo-controlled and/or randomised experiments were conducted using three groups of Merino lambs (n = 62, 68 and 19) undergoing routine castration and tail docking. Surgical castration, with either surgical or hot-iron tail docking, was performed with and without the application of topical anaesthetic (Tri-Solfen) or placebo. The effects of this procedure were compared with those of rubber ring castration and tail docking, and of the handled but unmarked controls. Wound pain was assessed using calibrated Von-Frey monofilaments over a 4-h period, pain-related behaviour was assessed over 5 h, wound healing was assessed at 14 and 28 days, and the plasma levels of lignocaine and bupivacaine were determined. Rapid and up to 4 h primary hyperalgesia developed following surgical castration and tail docking in the untreated and placebo-treated lambs. It was absent in the castration wounds, and significantly reduced in the tail-docking wounds, of the treated lambs. Hot-iron docking was associated with mild and transient secondary hyperalgesia, which was abolished by the topical anaesthesia. There was a significant reduction in pain-related behaviours in treated lambs, which were not significantly different in their behaviour to the sham-operation handled controls. Plasma lignocaine and bupivacaine levels were below the toxic thresholds in all tested lambs. Topical anaesthesia alleviates wound pain and significantly reduces pain-related behaviours in lambs undergoing surgical castration plus surgical or hot-iron tail docking, without a negative effect on wound healing or a risk of systemic toxicity.

In this issue – March 2010

Topical anaesthesia for castration and tail docking in lambs · Disease surveillance activities for saleyard pigs · Reproductive effects of time on prepartum transition diets in dairy cows · Bovine herpesvirus type 5 in bull semen · Rib osteomyelitis in three foals · Mycobacterium ulcerans in two horses · Nasal vascular hamartoma in a cat

Government response to UK Farm Animal Welfare Council report on castration and tail docking of lambs

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The Effect of Milk Sucking from the Dam or Glucose Administration on the Behavioural Responses to Tail Docking in Lambs

Landa L .: The Effect of Milk Sucking from the Dam or Glucose Administration on the Behavioural Responses to Tail Docking in Lambs . Acta Vet. Brno 2003, 72: 175-182. Rubber ring tail docking is a painful procedure and elicits changes in behaviour of lambs. The aim of this study was to find out if natural suckling of milk or administration of glucose prior to rubber ring tail docking could decrease painful responses to the procedure. The first result of this study was that rubber ring tail docking elicits pain in lambs of age less than 24 hours, which has not been published yet. In the naturally suckled group (Experiment 1), suckling did not produce any significant decrease in the behavioural responses to tail docking. No significant differences in responses were observed in the group given glucose (Experiment 2) when measured over the thirty minute period after the treatment. However, in this experiment when behavioural responses were analysed for the three ten-minute periods after treatment a significant reduction of abnormal lying was found during the first ten-minute interval in the group given glucose ( p = 0.03). In this group, non-significant decreases in the incidence of head turning and overall limb activity score also occurred. This suggests that there was at least some small effect of glucose intake on the behavioural responses to the rubber ring tail docking.

Blood pressure, heart rate, hormonal and other acute responses to rubber-ring castration and tail docking of lambs

AIM: To examine cardiovascular, hormonal and other physiological responses of 2-month-old lambs to rubber-ring castration and tail docking. METHODS: Twenty-two male lambs, well accustomed to handling and prepared with femoral artery and jugular vein can- nulae, were studied during a 5 h control period and, at least 2 days later, for 1 h before and 4 h after castration and tail docking using rubber rings. Pressure recordings were made via femoral cannulae and blood samples for analysis of plasma constituents were taken from jugular cannulae. RESULTS: Mean systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and the plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol all increased markedly during the first 1 h after ring castration and tail docking. Although plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations had returned to control levels by 2.5-3 h, blood pressures and heart rate were still elevated 4 h after ring application. In contrast, there were no significant changes in mean plasma concentrations of renin, electrolytes, minerals, glucose, lactate, urea, creatinine, total carbon dioxide and total proteins, plasma osmolality or the haematocrit after ring application. There were no significant changes in the mean values for any parameter during the 5 h control period or the 1 h period before ring application. CONCLUSION: Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate may be more sensitive than plasma ACTH or cortisol concentrations as indices of low-grade pain induced by ring castration and tail docking. Alternatively, it is possible that by 4 h after ring placement a small shift in sympathetic tone still persists in the absence of low-grade pain.

Assessing Pain in Animals

AbstractAssessing the experience of pain in animals is a difficult task, yet one that is important in animal welfare research. Some approaches to pain assessment in animals are reviewed here. General qualities of pain scales and specific parameters suitable for clinical and experimental pain assessments are discussed. It is argued that pain assessment will progress through an integration of objective and subjective observations of behaviour coupled with multiple measures in various other areas. Such multidimensional pain scales allow an adequate characterisation of the complexity of an individual animal's pain experience to be made. This knowledge improves the recognition and treatment of pain and will allow informed moral debate on the acceptability of practices such as castration and tail-docking of lambs.

Comparison of methods for the reduction of acute painproduced by rubber ring castration or tail docking of week-old lambs

Behavioural and plasma cortisol changes were recorded for groups of eight Suffolk x Greyface lambs subjected to castration or tail docking using rubber rings with and without local anaesthetic treatment. Immediately after application of the rubber ring, local anaesthetic (2 x 0.2 ml 2% lignocaine) was administered either by needle and syringe or by high-pressure needleless injection into each side of the neck of the scrotum or tail at the site of the ring, or by high pressure needleless injection into the testes before ring application. In other groups, the innervation to the scrotum or tail was disabled by crushing with a powered bloodless castrator just proximal to the ring. Measurements were recorded in groups of control (handled) lambs, with and without local anaesthetic treatment. Application of local anaesthetic by high pressure needleless injection had little effect on either plasma cortisol values or behaviour of control lambs. For castration, application of the bloodless castrator and/or local anaesthetic at the ring site reduced the peak plasma cortisol concentration by 50% (P < or = 0.01), the incidence of active behavioural responses by 80 and 64% (P < or = 0.01) respectively, and the time spent in abnormal postures by 68 and 59% (P < or = 0.01) respectively. Both methods were effective in reducing pain for tail docking [active behavioural responses reduced by more than 80% (P < or = 0.01) and abnormal postures by 56% (P < or = 0.01)], although local anaesthetic was more effective, reducing the peak cortisol by 60% (P < or = 0.01) [crushing by 44% (P > 0.05)]. Injection of local anaesthetic into the testes was less effective than injection into the neck of the scrotum at the site of the ring [reduction in abnormal lying postures (P < or = 0.05), 45 vs 71%, respectively]. The rapid action, effectiveness, and ease of application of these experimental methods may provide the basis for commercially viable methods for reducing the acute pain produced by rubber ring castration and tail docking of lambs.