![]() In several European countries, regulations require that castration be accompanied by anesthetics and longer-term analgesics, while other countries require the use of anesthetics when castrating animals over a certain age (e.g., 2 months in the UK). These results indicate that the chronic pain associated with castration lasts around 1 week. Two studies in Ireland showed that calves lost weight during the first 7 days after castration, but by 35 days after castration there was generally no difference in calf weight between castrated and uncastrated calves. ![]() The sensation and effects of chronic pain may be best measured by evaluating weight change following castration. However, this stress generally lasts only 3 to 8 hours. According to researchers at the University of Nebraska, using blood cortisol as an indicator, calves experience acute stress immediately after castration. Pain is difficult to quantify in animals however, blood concentration of the adrenal hormone cortisol is often used as an indicator of stress that is related to pain. While consideration of acute pain is important, chronic pain should be given more weight when making management decisions due to the length of time chronic pain is experienced. Minimizing castration-induced pain is important for animal welfare, growth performance, and immune suppression that may be associated with castration. Chronic pain is the longer-lasting pain that occurs in the days following castration until the injury is healed. The pain of castration occurs first as acute, short-term pain associated with the actual castration procedure. Pain is inherently a part of castration and cannot be avoided. Elastrator used to stretch the rubber band while the band is positioned around the neck of the scrotum above the testes. Emasculatome used to crush the spermatic cord of the testes while still inside the scrotum.įigure 3. Note the rough surface behind the blade that crimps the spermatic cord to minimize bleeding when the blade cuts.įigure 2. Emasculator used for severing the spermatic cord during surgical castration. This guide summarizes research comparisons of methods of castration and age at which castration is performed so that managers can make informed decisions about castration method and timing.įigure 1. The band cuts off blood flow to the testes and scrotum, which atrophy over a short period of time and slough off. Banding involves using an elastrator (Figure 3) to place a heavy elastic band around the neck of the scrotum with both testes inside. The resulting damage causes a loss of blood flow to the testes and eventual testicular atrophy within the scrotum. When using an emasculatome, the scrotum remains intact while the spermatic cord of each testicle (within the scrotum) is placed in the jaws of the tool and crushed. Bloodless castration is generally accomplished by using an emasculatome (i.e., burdizzo Figure 2) or elastic band. Surgical castration involves excision of the testes by splitting or removing the lower third of the scrotum and removing the testes by severing the spermatic cord in a manner that minimizes bleeding, usually with an emasculator (Figure 1), Henderson castrating tool, or knife. ![]() Bulls are still castrated to prevent reproduction and simplify management, but, most importantly, cattle are castrated to improve marbling and tenderness of the finished beef, which improves calf marketability.Ĭastration methods are generally divided into two categories: surgical or bloodless. Historically, bulls were castrated to prevent propagation of inferior genetics and to simplify management, especially of draught animals. (Print Friendly PDF) IntroductionĬastration is the disruption of testicular function, usually by removal of the testes of male animals, and has been a routine management procedure for most bull calves since ancient times. Mathis, Clint Löest, and John Wenzel College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State UniversityĪuthors: Respectively, Extension Specialist, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources Extension Livestock Specialist, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resource Associate Professor, Department of Animal and Range Sciences and Extension Veterinarian, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, all of New Mexico State University.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |