Effects of shallow scoop and deep scoop dehorning on plasma cortisol concentrations in calves

Authors: Bruce RA, Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ, Gregory NG, Ward RN, McMeekan CM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 45, Issue 2, pp 72-74, Apr 1997
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Animal welfare, Husbandry/husbandry procedures, Endocrine/autocrine/paracrine, Stress, Surgery
Article class: Short Communication

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Abstract: Scoop dehorning is one method of horn amputation. Plasma cortisol concentrations were used to investigate the effects of wound depth caused by shallow scoop and deep scoop dehorning on the acute pain-induced distress experienced by 15 week-old calves during the first 9 hours following horn amputation. Shallow scoop and deep scoop dehorning caused a prolonged cortisol elevation which returned to control values within 8 hours and 6 hours, respectively. There were no significant differences between shallow and deep dehorning with regard to mean plasma cortisol concentrations and integrated cortisol responses during the 9 hours after dehorning. Linear regression analysis revealed no significant correlation between wound depth and integrated cortisol response. Hence, at the investigated scoop wound depths, there was no detectable benefit in implementing a shallow scoop strategy in order to reduce acute pain-induced distress caused by scoop dehorning in 15 week-old calves.

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