Evaluation of analgesic protocol effect on calf behavior after concurrent castration and dehorning

Abstract

Castration and dehorning are common procedures in the US cattle industry, but the impact of analgesic programs on post-surgical behavior is not well documented. The research objective was to determine the impact of three different analgesic protocols: (sodium salicylate; a combination of xylazine, ketamine and butorphanol; and both treatments together) compared to the absence of analgesia on cattle behavior after concurrent castration and dehorning. Accelerometers recorded activity on 40 calves for three periods of time: prior to sham surgery, between sham and actual surgery, and 4 days post-surgery. Significant interactions (P<0.05) were found between treatment and time relative to surgery. Cattle treated with a combination of ketamine, butorphanol, and sodium salicylate spent more time lying after the procedures compared to cattle receiving only xylazine, ketamine, and butorphanol.