Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Pain Management Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based protocols for pain management in cattle are improving welfare outcomes in clinical and farm settings.

Key Facts

NSAIDs like meloxicam are highly effective for acute pain management in cattle
Local anaesthesia for disbudding reduces pain during and after the procedure
Opioids have limited farm-level application but are available for severe pain
Multi-modal pain management combining NSAIDs and local anaesthesia gives best results
Economic analyses show pain treatment is cost-effective through improved production

Welfare Considerations

Cattle feel pain and deserve appropriate analgesia for painful procedures and conditions. The availability of effective, affordable pain management means failure to use it represents an ethical failure. Evidence-based protocols make good pain management accessible to all producers.

What You Can Do

Support farm veterinary services that provide pain management protocols
Advocate for mandatory analgesia requirements for painful procedures in cattle
Choose beef and dairy from farms demonstrating commitment to pain management