Pain relief for young calves
The routine use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) in cattle of all ages at this time of year is considered veterinary best practice.
HERD HEALTH SERIES: Maura Langan, Commercial and Technical Manager (Large Animal) at Norbrook
Common diseases or surgical procedures can stop cattle from eating and drinking as normal, resulting in a loss of condition and further deterioration. Young calves are especially vulnerable as they often don’t have the fat reserves or immune systems to cope.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are medicines that are used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and lower core body temperature. Studies across a wide range of acute and chronic diseases, surgical interventions and routine management procedures have shown that the use of NSAIDs can improve outcomes, speed recovery and increase resulting productivity. The routine use of NSAIDs in cattle of all ages is considered veterinary best practice.
At this time of year, with many new calves in sheds up and down the country there is a likelihood that some of them will get sick. With waning maternal immunity and minimal body reserves, young calves remain extremely vulnerable in even the best-run farms.
Neonatal calf scour (diarrhoea) can be caused by a range of viruses, bacteria or parasites. The scouring calf begins to lose more fluids than it can take in and this quickly leads to a dull, depressed and dehydrated animal. Scour is a common cause of death in calves under 1 month of age, so early intervention and careful nursing is essential.
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is the single most important therapeutic measure to be carried out to help correct the dehydration, acidosis and electrolyte imbalance that occurs in scouring calves. Choose a good quality, commercially available ORT powder such as Life Aid Xtra. Administer one sachet mixed in 2 litres of water, twice a day, as well as continuing normal milk feeds. Prepare the solution fresh every time and always use clean buckets and whisks to prevent the spread of disease.
It is deemed best practice to use both ORT and NSAIDs together to improve outcomes and may reduce the need for subsequent intervention with antibiotics. One such NSAID, meloxicam is available on veterinary prescription for use in cases of diarrhoea in conjunction with oral rehydration therapy. Suitable for use in calves over one week of age, a single injection (1ml/40kg) when administered in combination with ORT helps to reduce the clinical signs of diarrhoea.
Sick animals should always be isolated from the rest of the herd or management group to reduce the risk of transmitting infection. Ensure they have plenty of clean bedding and ready access to food and water. Keep the calves warm, using calf jackets if necessary and change bedding frequently. Hygiene is essential to reduce the spread of disease. Check on calves’ progress regularly while administering supportive therapies and call your vet if you have any concerns.
The same NSAID can also be used alongside local anaesthetic when disbudding young calves. Legislation permits the disbudding of calves up to 28 days of age by thermal cauterisation, and local anaesthetic is required for the disbudding of calves 14 days and older. Irrespective of the age of the animal, best practice is to use both a local anaesthetic and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.
Local anaesthetic containing procaine should be administered under the skin, halfway between the outer corner of the eye and the base of the horn bud. Inject 2mls just below the bony ridge on both the left and right side. Use an 18-gauge 1-inch needle and an injector gun if disbudding batches of calves. After about 10-20minutes the tissue around the horn bud will be completely anaesthetised or numbed and you can start to disbud.
An additional injection of meloxicam is recommended in calves for the relief of post-operative pain following disbudding, as it provides longer-lasting pain relief given that the local anaesthetic starts to wear off after 60-90 minutes.
By giving a single injection (1.25ml for a 50kg calf) at the same time as the local anaesthetic you will ensure continued pain relief both during the procedure and the recovery period. After disbudding wound spray can be administered and calves should be monitored for the next 24 hours to ensure there is no bleeding or developing infection.
