Farmed Cattle Pain Management: NSAIDs in Practice

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide important pain management for cattle but remain underused in routine farm practice despite clear welfare evidence.

Key Facts

Meloxicam and ketoprofen are commonly used licensed NSAIDs for cattle
NSAIDs reduce cortisol elevation, behavioural pain indicators and restore normal activity
Post-dehorning analgesia with NSAIDs significantly reduces the duration of pain behaviour
Calving assistance cases benefit from NSAID treatment regardless of calving difficulty score
Subclinical conditions including retained placenta respond to NSAID-supported treatment
Cost of NSAID treatment per head is low relative to production benefits from pain reduction
Veterinary prescription requirements limit stockperson-administered NSAIDs in some situations
Residue withdrawal periods must be respected before milk or meat can enter the food chain

Welfare Considerations

NSAID use in cattle significantly reduces pain and improves welfare outcomes for a wide range of conditions and procedures. The evidence base for their welfare benefit is strong and the cost per treatment low. The primary barrier to routine use is stockperson and farmer awareness and habit. Veterinary practices that prescribe NSAIDs proactively and train farmers to administer them appropriately deliver significant welfare improvements. Inclusion of NSAID use requirements in farm assurance schemes would drive adoption across the sector.

What You Can Do

Discuss routine NSAID protocols for cattle procedures with your farm vet
Support farm assurance standards that require NSAID provision for painful procedures
Advocate for stockperson training on NSAID administration to enable timely pain relief
Choose beef and dairy from farms with documented pain management protocols
Support veterinary education that prioritises cattle pain management in continuing professional development