The disbudding of calves is taking place on many farms, but farmers are reminded that thermal cauterisation is the only legal method allowed in Ireland.
Other methods of disbudding in Ireland are illegal and should not be used when disbudding calves this spring.
Before disbudding, farmers should consult with their vet to ensure they have the appropriate training in the use of the anaesthetic, and may administer it on foot of a prescription from a veterinary practitioner.
The disbudding of calves is painful, but it is less stressful than dehorning older animals and is carried out to reduce injuries to humans and other animals.
Disbudding
The disbudding of calves is carried out to comply with animal health and welfare regulations, which restricts the sale or export of horned animals.
Disbudding procedures must be carried out in compliance with current Animal Health and Welfare Regulations on painful procedures (S.I. No. 127 of 2014 and S.I. No 107 of 2014).
It is illegal to disbud a calf over two-weeks-old without using both local anaesthetic and pain relief. The veterinary advice, is that all calves should be treated with a local anaesthetic and pain relief medication when disbudding, irrespective of their age.
Local anaesthetic and suitable pain relief medication may be obtained by prescription from your veterinary surgeons.
Speaking to Agriland, a veterinary inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has reminded farmers that the use of caustic paste for disbudding calves is illegal, irrespective of age.
The only method of disbudding of calves that is legally permissible in Ireland is disbudding by thermal cauterisation up to 28-days-old – as is set out in S.I. No. 127/2014 – Animal Health and Welfare (Operations and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2014.
The DAFM official said that the reason for this, is that caustic paste can cause severe pain that is not easily controlled by anaesthesia or pain relief.
The use of caustic paste can result in a number of complications, such as damage to surrounding skin and/or eyes if run-off occurs.
There is also a risk of transfer to other calves or to a cow if the calf is suckling.
Calves can be disbudded using a local anaesthetic while standing and restrained, so that the calf is held comfortably without causing it distress.
The appropriate time for disbudding should be based on horn bud development, rather than calf age.
Horn buds develop earlier in Holstein-Friesian than in Charolais, Limousin and Simmental calves.
Monitoring
You should avoid the use of antibiotics during the removal of horns from calves. Instead, you should give calves pain relief medication to help with pain management, in consultation with your veterinary surgeon.
This should reduce the amount of time the calf spends not drinking or eating.
Calves need to be monitored for around 10 days after disbudding to keep an eye out for infections or fly strike.
Common symptoms to look out for are constant tossing of the head and/or a discharge from the wound.
If signs of infections are seen in the calves, you should consult with your vet to see what treatment is required.