methods, which often prevent injuries. Finding ways to perform painful procedures with a minimum of dis- comfort are vital to reducing pain in the herd. For example, 17 million bull calves are castrated
yearly in the U.S., and for good reason. Intact males are more likely to fi ght other cattle, causing broken bones and other injuries. By lowering testosterone levels, castration reduces
aggressive behavior and sexual activity, making it safer for producers to be around them. There are two castration techniques: surgical re-
moval of the testes and banding the scrotum with rub- ber bands, which prevents blood fl ow to the testicles. Although castration is considered to be a necessary
Mike and Anne Wirtz, Brenham
Signs of pain Mike Wirtz, DVM, owns and operates the TZ Cattle
Company, an integrated cow-calf operation outside of Brenham. He raises Santa Gertrudis, Santa Gertrudis crossed with Angus, and Hereford cattle. He reports that symptoms of cattle in pain include withdrawal or isolation from the herd, lameness and anorexic behav- ior. In some cases animals are reluctant to lie down, move, or are slow to get up. Additional signs of hurting animals include tail
or ear fl icking, pacing and weight shifting. Kicking, stamping and licking at the injury site are also symp- toms. Bruxism (the gnashing, grinding or clenching of teeth) as well as limping and vocalization are other clues for which to watch. Newly dehorned calves shake and rub their heads more than those that have not been dehorned. An additional problem of controlling discomfort in
animals is the issue of medications. “There are no USDA or FDA medications approved
for pain relief in livestock,” Wirtz explains. “Any pain medications must be used by, or on the order of, a li- censed veterinarian. Drug withdrawal times must be established. Flunixin (banamine) is approved for bo- vine respiratory disease, but it must be administered by a veterinarian; by prescription and only intrave- nously. It has an 8-day withdrawal time when given intravenously.”
Handle the cattle correctly to minimize pain Without medicines to relieve discomfort, it makes sense for producers to practice low-stress handling
86 The Cattleman August 2015
management practice, it is painful. Wirtz, along with the majority of producers, prefers the surgical method. “It is done and over and the animal heals quickly,
especially [when performed] at an earlier age,” Wirtz says. “If done correctly, hemorrhage is minimal and the pain is transient. I prefer to castrate bull calves while they are standing in a good squeeze chute.” Although banding may sound like a compassion-
ate castration method, it can actually be more painful. Wirtz says that the discomfort from banding can last for weeks and a dead piece of tissue remains on the body. Since tetanus infection is always possible with this technique, he recommends a tetanus antiserum and vaccine when banding. Castration can be performed as early as when a calf is a day old, but should defi nitely be done before the animal reaches puberty. “Castrate calves that are less than 2 months old,” Wirtz advises. “Turn the calf out in a good clean pas-
Symptoms of cattle in pain include withdrawal or isolation from
the herd, lameness or anorexic behavior.
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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