Effect of a buccal meloxicam formulation on the behavioural response to ring castration of calves

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a buccal meloxicam formulation administration on the behavioural response to ring castration in calves. Sixty, 3-month-old, Angus cross calves (40 males, 20 females) were allocated to one of three treatments (n = 20 calves/treatment): 1) rubber ring castration (RING), 2) buccal formulation of meloxicam plus rubber ring castration (RING+BUCC) and 3) handled only (CON). After treatment, calves were observed in five pens (n = 4 calves/treatment/pen) and behaviour individually recorded for 1 minute every 20 minutes, until 3 hours post-treatment. Castrated calves (RING and RING+BUCC) were standing less (P < 0.001) and lying down more (P = 0.001) than CON calves. RING and RING+BUCC calves were also observed standing in a stretched positon and walking abnormally more than CON calves. Further, RING and RING+BUCC calves performed more kicks and less pawing than CON calves. RING+BUCC calves tended to ruminate more than RING calves. Treatment did not influence tail wagging, head flicking, foot stomping or respiration rate (P > 0.05). Ring castration caused behavioural changes in calves indicative of pain, however, administering a buccal formulation of meloxicam to calves immediately prior to ring castration did not appear to reduce the pain response to this procedure. To thoroughly evaluate the efficacy of a buccal formation of meloxicam on the pain response to ring castration in calves it may be necessary to observe the animals for longer and also to investigate the timing of drug administration further.