Pain Control at Castration and Dehorning

By Michael D. Kleinhenz, DVM, PhD, DACVCP, Kansas State University

When it comes to processing cattle through the chute, castrating bulls and dehorning are two tasks that are often on the list of things to accomplish. We work hard to move cattle to the chute using low stress techniques and follow best management practices for implanting and vaccinating. Ensuring pain control following castration and dehorning should be on that list.

Why provide pain control?

First, it is the right thing to do for the animal. I think we can all agree that just because cattle don’t say ‘ouch’ doesn’t mean they can’t experience pain. Pain is evident in the way cattle stand (head down), back off feed, and are reluctant to move following the procedure. There are benefits to the animal (newly formed steer) when administered analgesia at the time of the procedure(s). In a recent publication in the Journal of Animal Science, steers administered pain medication at the time of castration tended to have improved average daily gains and improved clinical illness scores compared to untreated controls. Other research has found lower stress biomarkers, lower pain scores, and higher dry matter intakes.

Second, consumers are becoming more aware and concerned about the welfare and well-being of animals raised for food. Yes, it may not readily cross their minds as they select a steak for dinner or order a cheeseburger for lunch. If asked if that steer should have been given pain control when castrated, I am sure many would say yes. These consumer attitudes increase pressure on beef suppliers to ensure cattle entering their systems are provided such benefit. These market forces have resulted in the various animal audit programs and verifications.

Working with your veterinarian is key!

Currently there are no drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pain control following castration and/or dehorning. There is one product approved for pain control in cattle, but it is only for pain associated with foot rot. However, your veterinarian can prescribe analgesic medications under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) of 1994. Under this law your veterinarian, with a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR), can prescribe drugs approved for other uses to control pain. Furthermore, the FDA has repeatedly stated that providing analgesia under AMDUCA is within the purview of a VCPR. At the present, there are several options for your veterinarian to prescribe. Each analgesic option has benefits and constraints, and these should be discussed with your veterinarian since each operation is unique. Working with your veterinarian will ensure you are prescribed the best drug(s) for your needs. In full respect of the VCPR relationship, I will not comment on specific drug choices for pain control in this article. I highly encourage (and want) you to discuss this topic with your veterinarian! Since these medications are used in an “off-label” manner, appropriate meat (and milk) withholding intervals will need to be followed and prescribed by your veterinarian.

What can you do to provide pain control?

Currently there are limited options for pain control available in cattle. The most ideal time to perform castration and/or dehorning is as early as possible in the animal’s life. Knowing some reading this article are purchasing cattle, this is most likely out of your control. Alternatives to castration such as immunocastration have been investigated. Although effective, the lack of product approvals in the United States, the need for repeated injections, and human health risks have stymied its implementation. Thus, there are no viable alternatives for castrating bulls, and we must keep refining our techniques. What do I mean by refining our techniques? It is making sure castration tools are clean, sharp, and in overall good working order. It is providing pain control using your veterinarian’s directions.

What the future holds

The research in this area is constantly evolving and being updated. I hope that an FDA approved drug (or multiple) will be available in the not-so-distant future. Until then, future research is needed to better define the amount of time animals experience pain after painful procedures, for development of pain mitigation strategies that last multiple days, and for drug regimens that are economical and practical. As a researcher in the field, we are always looking to better understand pain in animals as well as refine recommendations for alleviating that pain. So, stay tuned for more information and further developments.

Dr. Mike Kleinhenz an Ohio native. He earned a BS in Animal Science and DVM from The Ohio State University. After vet school, Mike practiced in Ohio before completing a dairy production residency at Iowa State University. He completed his PhD in Pharmacology at Kansas State University and is a board certified Veterinary Clinical Pharmacologist. He is an assistant professor in food animal production medicine and member of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University. His research focuses on the assessment and therapeutic management of pain in food production animals, uses of industrial hemp and cannabinoid pharmacology in cattle. Mike lives in Manhattan, Kansas, with his wife Katie and their two daughters.