Dehorning and welfare indicators in beef cattle: a meta-analysis
M. E. A. Canozzi A , A. Mederos B , S. Turner C , X. Manteca D , C. McManus E , S. R. O. Menegassi A and J. O. J. Barcellos A FA Centre for Research on Production Systems and Beef Cattle Supply Chain (NESPro/UFRGS), Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 91.540-000, Brazil.
B National Research Institute for Agriculture (INIA), Ruta 5 km 386, Tacuarembo 45000, Uruguay.
C Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK.
D Department of Animal and Food Science, School of Veterinary Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
E Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, Brazil, 70910-900.
F Corresponding author. Email: julio.barcellos@ufrgs.br
Animal Production Science 59(5) 801-814 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN17752
Submitted: 27 January 2017 Accepted: 11 April 2018 Published: 30 May 2018
Abstract
Dehorning is a common practice in cattle farming. Researchers suggest that pain during dehorning can be mitigated, although there is no conclusive evidence about the best technique and the best manner of pain relief. A systematic review-meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effect of dehorning on welfare indicators (cortisol concentration or average daily gain or vocalisation) in beef cattle up to 12 months of age. Five electronic databases were systematically searched, as well as conference proceedings and experts were contacted electronically. Pre-defined protocols were applied during all steps of the systematic review process. A random effect meta-analysis was conducted for each indicator separately with the mean of the control and treated groups. Four publications reporting seven studies and 69 trials were included in the MA involving 287 cattle. Heterogeneity between studies was observed for cortisol (I2 = 50.5%), average daily gain (I2 = 70.5%), and vocalisation (I2 = 91.9%). When comparing the non-dehorned group with amputation dehorning, the cortisol concentration was lower 30 min (P < 0.0001) and 120 min (P = 0.023) after procedure (0.767 nmol/L and 0.680 nmol/L, respectively). Local anaesthesia did not show a reduction in cortisol concentration at 30 min after dehorning by amputation. Non-dehorned animals had a tendency to decrease the number of vocalisation (P = 0.081; MD = 0.929) compared with the group dehorned by amputation. These results suggest that dehorning is a painful experience and that local anaesthesia did not alleviate short-term pain following dehorning. Further investigation into pain relief is required to improve confident decision making under practical conditions.
Additional keywords: animal analgesics, animal pain, animal welfare, cattle.
References
Borenstein M, Hedges LV, Higgins JPT, Rothstein HR (2009) ‘Introduction to meta-analysis.’ (John Wiley and Sons, Ltd: The Atrium: Chichester, UK)Canozzi MEA, Mederos A, Manteca X, Turner S, McManus C, Zago D, Barcellos JOJ (2017) A meta-analysis of cortisol concentration, vocalization, and average daily gain associated with castration in beef cattle. Research in Veterinary Science 114, 430–443.
| A meta-analysis of cortisol concentration, vocalization, and average daily gain associated with castration in beef cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ceballos A, Sánchez J, Stryhn H, Montgomery JB, Barkema HW, Wichtel JJ (2009) Meta-analysis of the effect of oral selenium supplementation on milk selenium concentration in cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 324–342.
| Meta-analysis of the effect of oral selenium supplementation on milk selenium concentration in cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cooper C, Evans ACO, Cook S, Rawlings NC (1995) Cortisol, progesterone and β-endorphin response to stress in calves. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 75, 197–201.
| Cortisol, progesterone and β-endorphin response to stress in calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DerSimonian R, Laird N (1986) Meta-analysis in clinical trials. Controlled Clinical Trials 7, 177–188.
| Meta-analysis in clinical trials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Doherty TJ, Kattesh HG, Adcock RJ, Welborn MG, Saxton AM, Morrow JL, Dailey JW (2007) Effects of concentrated lidocaine solution on the acute phase stress response to dehorning in dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 4232–4239.
| Effects of concentrated lidocaine solution on the acute phase stress response to dehorning in dairy calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Duval S, Tweedie R (2000) Trim and fill: a simple funnel-plot-based method of testing and adjusting for publication bias in meta-analysis. Biometrics 56, 455–463.
| Trim and fill: a simple funnel-plot-based method of testing and adjusting for publication bias in meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dzikamunhenga RS, Anthony R, Coetzee J, Gould S, Johnson A, Karriker L, McKean J, Millman ST, Niekamp SR, O’Connor AM (2014) Pain management in the neonatal piglet during routine management procedure. Part 1: a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized intervention studies. Animal Health Research Reviews 15, 14–38.
| Pain management in the neonatal piglet during routine management procedure. Part 1: a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized intervention studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Egger M, Smith GD, Altman DG (2001) Systematic reviews in health care. (MBJ Publishing Group: London, UK)
Falzon LC, O’Neill TJ, Menzies PI, Peregrine AS, Jones-Bitton A, vanLeeuwen J, Mederos A (2014) A systematic review and meta-analysis of factors associated with anthelmintic resistance in sheep. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 117, 388–402.
| A systematic review and meta-analysis of factors associated with anthelmintic resistance in sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Faulkner PM, Weary DM (2000) Reducing pain after dehorning in dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 2037–2041.
| Reducing pain after dehorning in dairy calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Graf B, Senn M (1999) Behavioural and physiological responses of calves dehorning by heat cauterization with or without local anaesthesia. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 62, 153–171.
| Behavioural and physiological responses of calves dehorning by heat cauterization with or without local anaesthesia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Higgins JPT, Green S (2011) Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions version 5.1.0 [updated March 2011]. The Cochrane Collaboration. Available at http://www.cochrane-handbook.org [Verified 15 April 2015]
Higgins JPT, Thompson SG, Deeks JJ, Altman DG (2003) Measuring inconsistency in meta-analysis. British Medical Journal 327, 557–560.
| Measuring inconsistency in meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Higgins JP, White IR, Anzures-Cabrera J (2008) Meta-analysis of skewed data: combining results reported on log-transformed or raw scales. Statistics in Medicine 27, 6072–6092.
| Meta-analysis of skewed data: combining results reported on log-transformed or raw scales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huber J, Arnholdt T, Möstl E, Gelfer C-C, Drillich M (2013) Pain management with flunexin meglumine at dehorning of calves. Journal of Dairy Science 96, 132–140.
| Pain management with flunexin meglumine at dehorning of calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lean IJ, Rabiee AR, Duffield TF, Dohoo IR (2009) Invited review: use of meta-analysis in animal health and reproduction: methods and applications. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 3545–3565.
| Invited review: use of meta-analysis in animal health and reproduction: methods and applications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lean IJ, Thompson JM, Dunshea FR (2014) A meta-analysis of zilpaterol and ractopamine effects on feedlot performance, carcass traits and shear strength of meat in cattle. Plos One 9, e115904
| A meta-analysis of zilpaterol and ractopamine effects on feedlot performance, carcass traits and shear strength of meat in cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McMeekan CM, Mellor DJ, Stafford KJ, Bruce RA, Ward RN, Gregory NG (1997) Effect of shallow scoop and deep scoop dehorning on plasma cortisol concentrations in calves. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 45, 72–74.
| Effect of shallow scoop and deep scoop dehorning on plasma cortisol concentrations in calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McMeekan CM, Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ, Bruce RA, Ward RN, Gregory NG (1998) Effects of regional analgesia and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic on the acute cortisol response to dehorning in calves. Research in Veterinary Science 64, 147–150.
| Effects of regional analgesia and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic on the acute cortisol response to dehorning in calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mederos A, Waddell L, Sánchez J, Kelton D, Peregrine AS, Menzies P, Van Leeuwen J, Rajic A (2012) A systematic review-meta-analysis of primary research investigating the effect of selected alternative treatments on gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep under field conditions. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 104, 1–14.
| A systematic review-meta-analysis of primary research investigating the effect of selected alternative treatments on gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep under field conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mellor DJ, Stafford KJ (1997) Interpretation of cortisol response in calf disbudding studies. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 45, 126–127.
| Interpretation of cortisol response in calf disbudding studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mellor DJ, Cook CJ, Stafford KJ (2000) Quantifying some responses to pain as a stressor. In ‘The biology of animal stress: basic principles and implications of animal welfare’. (Eds GP Moberg, JP Mernch) pp. 171–198. (CABI: London, UK)
Mellor DJ, Stafford KJ, Todd SE, Lowe TE, Gregory NG, Bruce RA, Ward RN (2002) A comparison of catecholamine and cortisol responses of young lambs and calves to painful husbandry procedures. Australian Veterinary Journal 80, 228–233.
| A comparison of catecholamine and cortisol responses of young lambs and calves to painful husbandry procedures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moher DA, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DJ, PRISMA Group (2009) Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Open Medicine 3, 123–130.
Molony V, Kent JE (1997) Assessment of acute pain in farm animals using behavioral and physiological measurements. Journal of Animal Science 75, 266–272.
| Assessment of acute pain in farm animals using behavioral and physiological measurements.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morisse JP, Cotte JP, Huonnic D (1995) Effect of dehorning on behaviour and plasma cortisol responses in young calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 43, 239–247.
| Effect of dehorning on behaviour and plasma cortisol responses in young calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Möstl E, Palme R (2002) Hormone as indicators of stress. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 23, 67–74.
| Hormone as indicators of stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Neely CD, Thomson DU, Kerr CA, Reinhardt CD (2014) Effects of three dehorning techniques on behaviour and wound healing. Journal of Animal Science 92, 2225–2229.
| Effects of three dehorning techniques on behaviour and wound healing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Newton HP, O’Connor AM (2013) The economics of pain management. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice 29, 229–250.
| The economics of pain management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sargeant JM, Amezcua MR, Rajic A, Wadell L (2005) ‘A guide to conducting systematic reviews in agri-food public health.’ (Public Health Agency of Canada: Canada)
Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, Booth-McLean ME, McAllister MA, Mears GJ (2005) Physiological and behavioural changes in Holstein calves during and after dehorning and castration. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 85, 131–138.
| Physiological and behavioural changes in Holstein calves during and after dehorning and castration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, Fierheller EE, Caulkett NA, Janzen ED, Pajor EA, González LA, Moya D (2012) Achieving pain control for routine management procedures in North American beef cattle. Animal frontiers 2, 52–58.
| Achieving pain control for routine management procedures in North American beef cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sinclair S (2012) Understanding and managing the animal welfare impacts of dehorning in Bos indicus cattle. PhD Thesis, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia.
Smith ER, Modric S (2013) Regulatory considerations for the approval of analgesic drugs for cattle in the United States. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice 29, 1–10.
| Regulatory considerations for the approval of analgesic drugs for cattle in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ (2005) Dehorning and disbudding distress and its alleviation in calves. Veterinary Journal (London, England) 169, 337–349.
| Dehorning and disbudding distress and its alleviation in calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ (2011) Addressing the pain associated with disbudding and dehorning in cattle. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 135, 226–231.
| Addressing the pain associated with disbudding and dehorning in cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stewart M, Stookey JM, Stafford KJ, Tucker CB, Rogers AR, Dowling SK, Verkerk GA, Schaefer AL, Webster JR (2009) Effects of local anesthetic and a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug on pain responses of dairy calves to hot-iron dehorning. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 1512–1519.
| Effects of local anesthetic and a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug on pain responses of dairy calves to hot-iron dehorning.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stilwell G, Carvalho RC, Lima MS, Broom DM (2009) Effect of caustic paste disbudding, using local anaesthesia with and without analgesia, on behaviour and cortisol of calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116, 35–44.
| Effect of caustic paste disbudding, using local anaesthesia with and without analgesia, on behaviour and cortisol of calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stilwell G, Lima MS, Carvalho RC, Broom DM (2012) Effects of hot-iron disbudding, using regional anaesthesia with and without carprofen, on cortisol and behaviour of calves. Research in Veterinary Science 92, 338–341.
| Effects of hot-iron disbudding, using regional anaesthesia with and without carprofen, on cortisol and behaviour of calves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stock ML, Baldridge SL, Griffin D, Coetzee JF (2013) Bovine dehorning – assessing pain and providing analgesic management. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice 29, 103–133.
| Bovine dehorning – assessing pain and providing analgesic management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sylvester SP, Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ, Bruce RA, Ward RN (1998a) Acute cortisol responses of calves to four methods of dehorning by amputation. Australian Veterinary Journal 76, 123–126.
| Acute cortisol responses of calves to four methods of dehorning by amputation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sylvester SP, Mellor DJ, Stafford KJ, Bruce RA, Ward RN (1998b) Acute cortisol responses of calves to scoop dehorning using local anaesthesia and/or cautery of the wound. Australian Veterinary Journal 76, 118–122.
| Acute cortisol responses of calves to scoop dehorning using local anaesthesia and/or cautery of the wound.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sylvester SP, Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ, Bruce RA, Warn RN (2004) Behavioural responses of calves to amputation dehorning with and without local anaesthesia. Australian Veterinary Journal 82, 697–700.
| Behavioural responses of calves to amputation dehorning with and without local anaesthesia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Theurer ME, White BJ, Coetzee JF, Edwards LN, Mosher RA, Cull CA (2012) Assessment of behavioral changes associated with oral meloxicam administration at time of dehorning in calves using a remote triangulation device and accelerometers. BMC Veterinary Research 8, 48
| Assessment of behavioral changes associated with oral meloxicam administration at time of dehorning in calves using a remote triangulation device and accelerometers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vickers KJ, Niel L, Kiehlbauch LM, Weary DM (2005) Calf response to caustic paste and hot-iron dehorning using sedation with and without local anaesthetic. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 1454–1459.
| Calf response to caustic paste and hot-iron dehorning using sedation with and without local anaesthetic.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Viñuela-Fernández I, Jonnes E, Welsh EM, Fleetwood-Walker SM (2007) Pain mechanisms and their implication for the management of pain in farm and companion animals. Veterinary Journal (London, England) 174, 227–239.
| Pain mechanisms and their implication for the management of pain in farm and companion animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Watts JM, Stookey JM (2000) Effects of restraint and branding on rates and acoustic parameters of vocalization in beef cattle. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 62, 125–135.
| Effects of restraint and branding on rates and acoustic parameters of vocalization in beef cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weary DM, Niel L, Flower FC, Fraser D (2006) Identifying and preventing pain in animals. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 100, 64–76.
| Identifying and preventing pain in animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |