title: Reduction in pain suffered by lambs at castration.
abstract: The acute pain produced by bloodless castrators was studied by comparing the behavioural and plasma cortisol changes in groups (n=8) of 3-week-old Dorset cross lambs after castration with a 22 cm (9") Burdizzo, a new power assisted castrator and by a combined method using a Burdizzo and elastrator ring. The time spent in abnormal postures (52-58 min) and the peak cortisol response (110-120 mmol l(-1)) were similar for the three methods, although the powered castrator produced a more sustained response. The Burdizzo method halved the incidence of active behaviours compared with the powered castrator and combined methods (16 versus 30, 32 counts). Intratesticular local anaesthetic administered 2 min before the Burdizzo castrator and combined method, or intramuscular injection of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, 20 min before the application of a Burdizzo, significantly reduced the peak plasma cortisol response to 80 nmol l(-1). Diclofenac also significantly reduced the time spent trembling or in abnormal postures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Molony
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Hosie
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011187:Posture; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone