Effect of a buccal meloxicam formulation on the behavioural response to ring castration of calves
Mhairi A. Sutherland A B , Arianne L. Bright A and Karin E. Schütz A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A AgResearch Ltd, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton 3214, New Zealand.
B Corresponding author. Email: mhairi.sutherland@agresearch.co.nz
Animal Production Science 59(3) 564-569 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN17641
Submitted: 25 September 2017 Accepted: 9 January 2018 Published: 7 May 2018
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a buccal meloxicam formulation on the behavioural response to ring castration of calves. Sixty, 3-month-old, Angus calves (40 males, 20 females) were allocated to one of three treatments (n = 20 calves/treatment): (1) rubber ring castration (RING), (2) buccal formulation of meloxicam plus rubber ring castration (RING + BUCC) and (3) handled only (CON). After treatment, calves were observed in five pens (n = 4 calves/treatment/pen) and behaviour individually recorded for 1 min every 20 min, until 3 h post-treatment (9 min/calf). Castrated calves (RING and RING + BUCC) spent less time standing (P < 0.001) and more time lying (P = 0.001) than CON calves. RING and RING + BUCC calves were also observed standing in a stretched positon (P = 0.001) and walking abnormally (P = 0.001) more than CON calves. Further, RING and RING + BUCC calves performed more kicks (P = 0.008) and less pawing (P = 0.04) than CON calves. RING + BUCC calves tended to ruminate (P = 0.085) more than RING calves. Ring castration caused behavioural changes in calves indicative of pain, however, administering a buccal formulation of meloxicam to calves immediately before ring castration did not appear to reduce the acute pain response to this procedure. To thoroughly evaluate the efficacy of a buccal formulation of meloxicam on the pain response to ring castration of calves it may be necessary to observe the animals for longer and to investigate the timing of drug administration further.
Additional keywords: behaviour, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, welfare.
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