Farm Animals

Sheep Mulesing Pain Management

Where mulesing continues, pain management is essential to reduce suffering, with topical anaesthetics, NSAIDs, and wound sprays all contributing to improved welfare during and after the procedure.

Key Facts

Buccalgesic oral meloxicam provides effective pre-emptive analgesia for mulesing pain
Topical anaesthetic sprays applied to the wound reduce post-procedure pain signals
Wound sealer sprays protect raw tissue and reduce healing time
Pain behaviours including hunching and inactivity persist for days without analgesia
Australian Wool Innovation requirements now specify pain relief for mulesed lambs

Welfare Considerations

Where mulesing continues, pain management is a minimum welfare requirement that reduces but does not eliminate suffering. Transition to non-mulesing alternatives remains the welfare goal.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory pain management requirements for mulesing where it continues
Advocate for accelerating transition to non-mulesing Merino genetics
Choose certified non-mulesed wool products to signal consumer preference
Raise awareness of pain management as an interim welfare requirement pending phase-out