PAIN AND STRESS MANAGEMENT OF JERSEY CROSSBRED CALVES DURING THERMAL DISBUDDING

T. Chandrasekar; P. Gopu; M. Arul Prakash; P. Satheshkumar

doi:10.56093/ijvasr.v55i4.181105

Authors

T. Chandrasekar Assistant Professor, Department of Livestock Production Management, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Theni - 625 534
P. Gopu Professor and Head, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli - 627 358
M. Arul Prakash Assistant Professor, Livestock Farm Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Theni - 625 534
P. Satheshkumar Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Theni - 625 534

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijvasr.v55i4.181105

Keywords:

Disbudding, Management, Jersey, Pain, Stress and Thermal

Abstract

The aim of disbudding is to enhance the physical comfort of animals and improve handler safety. Reducing pain during and after the procedure is a critical animal welfare concern in dairy production. Nine Jersey crossbred calves, aged 4 to 6 weeks, were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (n = 3per group): Group 1 (TG1), Group2 (TG2), and Group 3 (TG3). All calves underwent hot-iron disbudding under local anesthesia (2% lignocaine hydrochloride). In addition, TG2 and TG3 received Meloxicam (a short-acting NSAID) and Tolfenamic acid (a long-acting NSAID), respectively. Pain and stress indicators, including behavioral, physiological, and production parameters, were monitored over 4 hours, 3 days, and one month. During the disbudding period, TG1 calves exhibited significantly more frequent behavioral pain indicators such as bellowing, head rubbing, struggling, and kicking compared to TG2 and TG3. Regarding physiological indicators, heart rates on the 2nd and 3rd days post-disbudding were significantly lower in the NSAID treated groups, while other physiological parameters showed no significant changes. Although body weight gain was higher in TG2 (1.66 ±0.42 kg) and TG3 (1.83 ± 0.29kg) than in TG1 (1.83 ± 0.29 kg), these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the administration of either short- acting (Meloxicam) or long-acting (Tolfenamic acid) NSAIDs is an effective approach for mitigating pain and stress in calves during and after thermal disbudding. Implementing such protocols is essential for advancing animal welfare standards in the dairy industry.

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