Grad Student Competition
Comparing the use of lidocaine-loaded bands to reduce pain and discomfort in dairy and beef-dairy calves.
| Date/Time: |
9/12/2025
11:15
|
| Author: |
Jacob J Schumacher |
| Clinic: |
Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute |
| City, State, ZIP: |
Manhattan, KS 66503 |
Jacob Shumacher, BS
1
;
Eduarda Bortoluzzi, DVM
1
;
Jordana Zimmerman, DVM
1
;
Maddie Mancke, BS
2
;
Rebecca Bigelow, BS
2
;
Luis Feitoza, DVM
2
;
Brad White, DVM
2
;
Johann Coetzee, DVM
1
;
1Department of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Ave., Manhattan KS 66502, USA
2Beef Cattle Institute, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Ave., Manhattan KS 66502, USA
Introduction:
Introduction of greater number of beef-dairy calves entering US beef market continues to highlight the importance of pain mitigation during castration. However, no studies have compared pain responses to band castration between dairy and beef-dairy calves. This study aimed to evaluate pain mitigation and behavior in dairy and beef-dairy calves castrated with lidocaine-loaded or standard bands.
Materials and methods:
This blinded randomized controlled trial followed a 2x2 factorial design including breed (Holstein and Beef-Dairy) and band type (lidocaine-loaded and standard). Forty bull calves weighing 83±17 kg were randomly assigned to be castrated with lidocaine-loaded bands (Holstein-LLB, n=10; Beef-Dairy-LBB, n=10), or standard control band (Holstein-CTRL, n=10; Beef-Dairy-CRTL, n=10). Lie/stand behavior, gait analysis, plasma cortisol, and performance were analyzed in multiple timepoints. Linear-mixed effects models were used to determine potential associations between outcomes and band type, breed, time, and their interactions.
Results:
Significant effects of treatment and breed were found for standing bouts, where they were more frequent in Beef-Dairy calves compared to Holsteins (18.4 and 17.3 bouts/day, respectively; SEM=0.47) and in the LLB group compared to CTRL (18.4 and 17.3 bouts/day, respectively; SEM=0.47). Hind stride length decreased (P<0.05) in the LLB group compared to CTRL at 7d and 28d post-castration. Band type and breed had no effect on plasma cortisol and performance outcomes (P>0.05).
Significance:
Standing bout frequency and hind stride length differed based on breed and band type. While no performance or physiologic differences were identified in this study further research is needed on the role of LLB and breed related to pain response.
