Access to and use of pain relief for farm animals varies enormously. Establishing and following pain management protocols improves welfare and is increasingly required by veterinary and certification bodies.
Farm animals routinely undergo painful procedures including castration, disbudding, dehorning, and tail docking, often without adequate analgesia. Pain management protocols define which drugs, at what dose, for which procedures, are required or recommended. Where these protocols are adopted and enforced, welfare improvements are documented and measurable. Vet-farmer partnerships and certification scheme requirements are the most effective mechanisms for wider adoption.