Disbudding and dehorning hurts – get it right!
22 September 2008
Calves should be disbudded early and with proper pain relief, is the message from the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC).
"Cattle with horns are dangerous – to people and to other animals – and also contribute to carcass downgrading," says NZVA President Dr Richard Wild.
"Although cattle can be dehorned as adults, it makes much better sense to disbud them as calves. It is less traumatic for the animal and for the handler," he says.
However, disbudding and dehorning involve removal of living tissue and cause significant pain. Both procedures require skill and the animals should receive adequate pain management says NAWAC Chairman Dr Peter O’Hara.
"Anyone dehorning cattle or disbudding calves should know exactly what they are doing and administer effective pain relief before the procedure starts. There is no doubt that these are very painful procedures and pain relief will reduce pain and distress for the animal. Research has shown that local anaesthetic can eliminate the pain of disbudding."
Providing pain relief will also make the process safer, easier and simpler for the person doing the job. Incomplete disbudding can create future problems for animals and people, highlighting the importance of following best practice and expert advice.
Disbudding of young calves aged between two and six weeks of age will prevent the horn from growing at all. Not all cattle develop horns as some breeds are naturally polled (or hornless).
"Ideally we would breed only cattle that don’t grow horns but the reality is that many cattle do have them and farmers should incorporate disbudding into their farm management plans to make sure it is done at the appropriate time," says Dr Wild.
NZVA and NAWAC encourage farmers to contact their veterinarian for advice on the procedures and how to give effective pain relief.
More detailed information on minimum standards and best practice guidelines can be found in the Animal Welfare (Painful Husbandry Procedures) Code of Welfare available from MAF Biosecurity New Zealand at www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare.
Media enquiries:
- Lisa Gibbison, Communications Adviser, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, Phone: 04 894 0432 / 029 894 0432
- Dr Peter O’Hara, Chairman, National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), Phone: 04 526 7883
- Dr Richard Wild, President, NZVA, Phone: 029 943 1702