Pain prevention
A lot of research has been conducted in the last 10-15 years to better understand pain and discomfort in cattle. Cattle are stoical by nature; they mask pain, because in the wild showing signs of pain would make them more susceptible to predators. This means that pain is often not expressed until severe.
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Decreased movement/locomotion
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Decreased interaction with other animals in the group
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Decreased feed intake
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Changed behaviour related to the source of pain: ear twitching, flank watching, etc
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Slow to respond to stimuli
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Changes in posture: standing motionless, drooping ears
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Indicators of physiological stress - increased heart rate, increased pupil size, trembling
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Tooth grinding
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Poor coat condition due to decreased grooming1
In recent years, pain management with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) has become accepted practice for routine procedures such as disbudding and post-operatively. It is also useful in cases of scour or pneumonia. If scour is identified, fluid therapy is the usually the first treatment and pain relief with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) may also be useful.
Where pneumonia is detected, antibiotic therapy supported by NSAID use can make the animal feel better, start eating and make a more rapid recovery.
- 1 Hudson, C.D., Whay, H.R., Huxley, J.N. (2008) Recognition and management of pain in cattle. In Practice, 30 (3). pp. 126-134. ISSN 2042-7689