Pig Pain Management: NSAIDs and Beyond

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the foundation of pig pain management, and advances in delivery and protocol development are improving welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Meloxicam is the most widely used and studied NSAID in pig pain management and is licensed for use in food pigs
Oral meloxicam administration has enabled farmer-administered pain management without veterinary injection
NSAIDs are indicated for painful procedures including castration, tail docking, and respiratory disease
The withdrawal period for NSAIDs in food animals ensures meat safety when used according to label
Multimodal pain management combining NSAIDs with local anesthesia provides superior pain control for surgical procedures

Welfare Considerations

NSAID availability and use in pig farming represents a significant welfare advance that is still working its way through industry practice. The science is clear: painful procedures without analgesia cause unnecessary suffering, and effective, affordable, licensed analgesics are available. The barriers are primarily awareness and habit - many painful procedures in pig farming occur without pain management simply because it has always been done that way. Farmer training, veterinary advocacy, and welfare certification requirements are all needed to translate available welfare tools into actual welfare practice across the industry.

What You Can Do

Support farmer education programs about pig pain management
Advocate for pain management requirements in farm welfare certification
Choose pork from farms with documented pain management protocols for procedures
Support veterinary organizations promoting routine analgesic use in pig farming
Learn about the welfare science supporting pain management in pig husbandry