Disbudding and Other Painful Procedures
Common procedures performed in cattle are known to be painful and should be performed in ways that minimize stress and pain.
How to assess:
Review the painful procedures protocol to confirm that the following information is included and that appropriate criteria are being met:
Method: Paste or cautery can be used. It is recommended that paste not be used after 3 days of age to minimize the risk of paste rubbing off the intended area. Scoops, bands, clove oil, or any other methods are not acceptable.
Age completed: Must be completed before 8 weeks of age
Analgesia: Must be provided regardless of age
Anesthesia: Must be provided regardless of age
Evidence that this written protocol is being followed on the farm will be checked during the audit by interviewing an employee who performs these procedures, or by visual confirmation of the tools and drugs listed on the protocol.
Method: Paste or cautery can be used. It is recommended that paste not be used after 3 days of age to minimize the risk of paste rubbing off the intended area. Scoops, bands, clove oil, or any other methods are not acceptable.
Age completed: Must be completed before 8 weeks of age
Analgesia: Must be provided regardless of age
Anesthesia: Must be provided regardless of age
Evidence that this written protocol is being followed on the farm will be checked during the audit by interviewing an employee who performs these procedures, or by visual confirmation of the tools and drugs listed on the protocol.
- Disbudding/Dehorning
- Age and method must be noted
- Paste or hot iron/cautery should be used
- Should be completed before 8 weeks of age
- Pain mitigation must be used and listed
- Analgesia/anesthesia should always be provided and listed
- Must be provided if dehorning (>8 weeks) is performed
- Analgesia/anesthesia should always be provided and listed
- Signed by the VOR
- Age and method must be noted
- Additional painful procedures (e.g. castration, branding, extra teat removal)
- Must list age and procedure/method
- Pain mitigation must be used and listed if the animal is > 8 weeks
- Signed by the VOR
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Templates are provided as a guideline (disbudding and painful procedures); farms may write their own as long as minimum content is met.
National Dairy FARM Program
- Disbudding/dehorning
- Completed before 8 weeks of age
- Use analgesia/anesthesia per veterinarian recommendation
- Castration, branding, extra teat removal
- Consult with veterinarian for recommended procedure
- Completed at the earliest age possible
- Use analgesia/anesthesia per veterinarian recommendation
- Pain management
- Employees should be trained to identify behavioral and physiological signs of pain in animals
- Safely restrain animal an administer anesthesia or NSAIDs per veterinarian recommendation to manage pain
- Record treatment
Validus
- Disbudding/dehorning
- Up to 4 days of age
- If calf is older, anesthesia (lidocaine) and analgesia (e.g. meloxicam, aspirin) is used as recommended in herd health plan
- Castration
- Done according to AVMA recommendations
- Use of banding or scalpel
- Up to 4 days of age
- Extra teat removal
- Must be done by 4 months of age
- If older, anesthesia is used
- Pain management
- Procedures for pain relief should be available for:
- Illness: metritis, mastitis
- Surgery: C-section, displaced abomasum, dystocia
- Injury
- Painful procedures
- Minimizing animal discomfort and optimizing recovery post-surgery or injury
- Therapeutic care, extra bedding, fly/pest control, isolation
- Procedures for pain relief should be available for: