Impact of topical anaesthesia on pain alleviation and wound healing in lambs after mulesing.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of using the topical anaesthetic preparation Tri-Solfen on pain alleviation and wound healing in lambs undergoing mulesing.


METHODS
Three separate trials, placebo controlled and/or randomised, were carried out over a 5 month period on three mobs of between 60 and 263 merino lambs undergoing routine mulesing.


METHODS
Wound pain was assessed using 10 and 75 g calibrated Von-Frey monofilaments to determine sensitivity to light touch and pain stimulation over a 4 to 8 h period. Pain-related behaviour was documented by trained, blinded observers using a numerical rating scale. Wound healing rates were determined using scaled digital photography and image analysis software to calculate contraction in wound surface area 2 and 4 weeks after mulesing.


RESULTS
There was rapid (3 min) and prolonged (up to 8 h) wound analgesia as shown by pain response scores (P < or = 0.01), with absent or significantly diminished primary and secondary hyperalgesia (P < or = 0.01) and significant reduction in pain-related behaviour (P < 0.001) in treated versus untreated lambs. In addition there was improved wound healing in the treated lambs (P < or = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Tri-Solfen effects rapid and prolonged wound analgesia, reduction in pain-related behaviour and improved wound healing in lambs undergoing routine mulesing, providing effective alleviation of pain associated with routine mulesing in sheep.
Lomax
S
S
Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, PMB 3, Camden, New South Wales 2570, Australia.
Sheil
M
M
Windsor
P A
PA
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012756:Sheep / Q000601:surgery*; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology