Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used on calves during the rearing period to manage pain, thereby improving animal welfare. This was shared at a recent virtual CalfCare event run by Animal Health Ireland (AHI), in conjunction with Teagasc and Volac.
Glanbia veterinary advisor Joris Somers advised that, “For anything that causes the calf pain, an anti-inflammatory can be used to help with pain management and recovery. Including scour, which is a stomach pain.”
“By giving this pain relief, the calf is more likely to want to drink again and should be more lively – which is what you want.”
Joris added that there are other stages of a calf’s life where an anti-inflammatory drug can also be used, for example castrating bull calves or dehorning.
The medication can also be used on cows after calving or on cows with a case of mastitis, which should help them improve quicker.
Drugs such as Metacam and Loxicom were mentioned. Joris stated: “They are all products that have been used before on farms, so there is nothing new or strange about them. There may be a milk withdrawal with cows, but with your calves you have nothing to worry about.”
In terms of upcoming regulations, Joris stated thar: “We are still unsure about how some of the new regulations will work.”
LSL News.