Objective measures for the assessment of post-operative pain in bos indicus bull calves following castration

TY - JOUR

T1 - Objective measures for the assessment of post-operative pain in bos indicus bull calves following castration

AU - Musk, Gabrielle C.

AU - Jacobsen, Stine

AU - Hyndman, Timothy H.

AU - Lehmann, Heidi S.

AU - Tuke, S. Jonathon

AU - Collins, Teresa

AU - Gleerup, Karina B.

AU - Johnson, Craig B.

AU - Laurence, Michael

PY - 2017/10

Y1 - 2017/10

N2 - The aim of the study was to assess pain in Bos indicus bull calves following surgical castration. Forty-two animals were randomised to four groups: no castration (NC, n = 6); castration with pre-operative lidocaine (CL, n = 12); castration with pre-operative meloxicam (CM, n = 12); and, castration alone (C, n = 12). Bodyweight was measured regularly and pedometers provided data on activity and rest from day −7 (7 days prior to surgery) to 13. Blood was collected for the measurement of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, fibrinogen, and iron on days 0, 3 and 6. Bodyweight and pedometry data were analysed with a mixed effect model. The blood results were analysed with repeated measure one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was no treatment effect on bodyweight or activity. The duration of rest was greatest in the CM group and lowest in the C group. There was a significant increase in the concentrations of SAA, haptoglobin, and fibrinogen in all of the groups from day 0 to 3. Iron concentrations were not different at the time points it was measured. The results of this study suggest that animals rest for longer periods after the pre-operative administration of meloxicam. The other objective assessments measured in this study were not able to consistently differentiate between treatment groups.

AB - The aim of the study was to assess pain in Bos indicus bull calves following surgical castration. Forty-two animals were randomised to four groups: no castration (NC, n = 6); castration with pre-operative lidocaine (CL, n = 12); castration with pre-operative meloxicam (CM, n = 12); and, castration alone (C, n = 12). Bodyweight was measured regularly and pedometers provided data on activity and rest from day −7 (7 days prior to surgery) to 13. Blood was collected for the measurement of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, fibrinogen, and iron on days 0, 3 and 6. Bodyweight and pedometry data were analysed with a mixed effect model. The blood results were analysed with repeated measure one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was no treatment effect on bodyweight or activity. The duration of rest was greatest in the CM group and lowest in the C group. There was a significant increase in the concentrations of SAA, haptoglobin, and fibrinogen in all of the groups from day 0 to 3. Iron concentrations were not different at the time points it was measured. The results of this study suggest that animals rest for longer periods after the pre-operative administration of meloxicam. The other objective assessments measured in this study were not able to consistently differentiate between treatment groups.

KW - Analgesia

KW - Australia

KW - Brahman

KW - Husbandry

KW - Welfare

U2 - 10.3390/ani7100076

DO - 10.3390/ani7100076

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28956843

AN - SCOPUS:85031027564

SN - 2076-2615

VL - 7

JO - Animals

JF - Animals

IS - 10

M1 - 76

ER -