Alternativa metoder för avhorning av kalv : teknik och behandlingseffekt, samt utvärdering av postoperativ smärta med användning av NSAID

Abstract: In this study, cortisol in saliva and pain related behaviours in calves were used as markers of distress when comparing two different dehorning methods; scoop or cautery. We also investigated the effect of a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), meloxikam, on postoperative distress after dehorning with either dehorning scoop or cautery iron. Twenty calves were dehorned on one randomly chosen side by scoop method and on the other side by cautery. Five months later, the effect on horn growth was investigated. Horn production was observed in seven of the calves. Six of these calves had been dehorned by scoop method. Wound healing was also studied. The lesions caused by scoop dehorning healed faster than the lesions caused by cautery. Another 20 calves were then divided into four groups and dehorned by either scoop or cautery iron and received either meloxikam or a placebo prior to dehorning. All calves were given local anaesthetic and sedation. Administration of meloxikam reduced cortisol levels in saliva after dehorning. Meloxikam was also effective in reducing the frequency of pain related behaviours following dehorning. Cautery iron caused less distress compared to scoop dehorning in placebo calves, on both cortisol levels and the frequency of pain related behaviours. However, no differences in cortisol levels were seen in calves that had received meloxikam which suggests that scoop dehorning is an alternative to cautery in calves treated with a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug prior to dehorning.