Docking - Gold Standard Practice
By Lucy Scott, Veterinarian, Anexa Vets RaglanTail docking and castration are classed as painful husbandry procedures- necessary for a variety of reasons but they can cause significant anxiety, fear, discomfort, pain or distress. We have a responsibility to recognise this and minimise it- for their welfare but also to prevent production losses.
Signs of pain in lambs and calves can include:
- Inactivity
- Abnormal postures or gaits
- Restlessness
- change in patterns of activity; time lying down, walking, ruminating etc
- tail shaking, ear rubbing, foot stamping, kicking, rolling, tremors, vocalizing, rubbing/licking the affected part
- Aggression to other animals or humans
- Effort to get away from source of pain
To minimise pain and distress:
- Ensure related activities before and after eg. mustering are as humane as possible
- Minimal duration of procedure
- Carrying it out at an age and/or state that means harmful responses or risk of complications is least
- Avoid critical periods eg. During bonding of dam and newborn
- Using hygienic methods and those that minimise blood loss
- Undertaking multiple procedures at the same time
- Provision of post-operative care- shelter, food etc
- Use a local anaesthetic to block pain during the procedure- this is a legal requirement if the animal is over 6 months of age
- Use an analgesic to relieve pain after the procedure
Most importantly:
- Use the least painful method - Conventional rubber rings over high tensile bands or surgery
Date Added: Thursday, 3rd September 2020
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