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Effect of a topical wound anaesthesia formulation on the cortisol and the acute phase responses of lambs undergoing tail docking.

Ortín, A.; Borobia, M.; Ramos, J.J.; Lacasta, D.; Ferrer, L.M.; Tejedor, M.T.; Ruiz, H.; Jimenez, C.; Windsor, P.A. · 2021 · file · Poster Presentation Abstract

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Summary

This study evaluated a topical anaesthetic gel (Tri-Solfen®) on serum cortisol and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels in tail-docked lambs. Results suggest the formulation reduces cortisol and SAA responses in lambs docked without anaesthesia, though further research is needed.

Context

This abstract from a 2021 congress highlights research into mitigating pain during tail docking in lambs, a common agricultural practice, using a topical anaesthetic.

World knowledge applied: Topical anaesthesia shows promise in reducing acute stress responses during tail docking. ⚠ verify

Claim Analysis

The study claims Tri-Solfen® reduces stress markers (cortisol, SAA) in lambs undergoing tail docking without general anaesthesia.

Environmental Context

The study focuses on animal welfare in agricultural practices, specifically sheep farming, which has environmental implications.

Policy Context

This research contributes to the ongoing discussion around pain management policies for livestock procedures like tail docking.

Macro Context

This research aligns with global efforts to improve animal welfare standards in livestock production.

Counter-perspectives

The document does not present counter-views, but notes that further research is needed to corroborate the findings.

Evidence

Evidence is based on serum cortisol and SAA measurements using ELISA assays, with statistical analysis via IBM SPSS.

Outcomes & Recommendations

Future research could track long-term welfare outcomes and economic impacts of using such anaesthetic formulations.

Provenance

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Zaragoza, Spain, and the University of Sydney, Australia.

Uncertainties & Gaps

The abstract explicitly states that further research is needed to corroborate the findings.

References (1)

  1. Self-administration by consumption of flunixin in feed alleviates the pain and inflammation associated with castration and tail docking of lambs. Marini, D.; Colditz, I.G.; Hinch, G.; Petherick, J.C.; Lee, C. (2017) DOI:10.1016/j.applanim.2016.12.008

    Marini, D., Colditz, I.G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J.C., Lee, C., 2017. Self-administration by consumption of flunixin in feed alleviates the pain and inflammation associated with castration and tail docking of lambs. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 188, 26–33. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.12.008.

Full text
Management and animal welfare Poster presentations Effect of a topical wound anaesthesia formulation on the cortisol and the acute phase responses of lambs undergoing tail docking. Ortín, A.1, Borobia, M.1 Ramos, J.J.1, Lacasta, D.1, Ferrer, L.M.1, Tejedor, M.T.2, Ruiz, H.1, Jimenez, C.3,4 and Windsor, P.A.1 1 Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza- CITA), Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain 2 Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics Department, CIBER CV (Universidad de Zaragoza-IIS), (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain 3 Gabinete Técnico Veterinario S.L. C/ Isla conejera s/n. 50013 Zaragoza, Spain 4 Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia Contact: Aurora Ortín, aortin@unizar.es Abstract: In this study we evaluated the effect of a topical wound gel formulation containing local anaesthetics lignocaine and bupivacaine, with cetrimide and adrenalin (Tri-Solfen®; TS) on the concentrations of serum cortisol (SC) and the acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) in tail-docked lambs. Forty-four female lambs with similar weights were recruited into four equal cohorts: Groups A and C, the tail was excised with a scalpel without anaesthesia and Groups B and D, the tail was surgically excised and stitched under general anaesthesia (GA). C and D groups were immediately sprayed with TS. Blood samples were collected before tail docking and at different time intervals post-tail excision. Concentra-tions of SC and SAA were determined using ELISA assays (Salivary Cortisol ELISA SLV-2930, DRG Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany; PHASE TM Serum Amyloid A Assay, Tridelta Development Ltd., Maynooth, Ireland). Statistical analysis was preformed using IBM SPSS statistics version 26 (2019) software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). SC concentration did not change significantly over time in cohorts tail-docked under GA (B & D), but peaked at 30 min post tail removing without anaesthesia (A & C), and treatment with TS (C) appeared to reduce this cortisol response. In cohorts B & D , SAA concentrations increased significantly 48 hours after tail docking, as it is expected after a noxious stimulus, but treatment with TS avoided the elevation of SAA at this time point in lambs where the tail was excised without anaesthesia. These results appear to indicate that treatment with TS reduces cortisol and SAA responses in lambs tail docked without anaesthesia, although further research is needed to corroborate these findings. References: Marini, D., Colditz, I.G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J.C., Lee, C., 2017. Self-administration by consumption of flunixin in feed alleviates the pain and inflammation associated with castration and tail docking of lambs. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 188, 26–33. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.12.008. Paull, D.R., Lee, C., Colditz, I.G., Atkinson, S.J., Fisher, A.D., 2009. The effect of a topical anaesthetic formulation, systemic flunixin and carprofen, singly or in combination, on cortisol and behavioural responses of Merino lambs to mulesing. Aust. Vet. J. 85, 98–106. DOI: 10.1111 /j.1 751 -0813.2009.00429.x. Tothova C, Nagy O, Kovac G. 2014. Acute phase proteins and their use in the diagnosis of diseases in ruminants: a review. Vet. Med. 59, 163-168. DOI: 10.17221/7478-VETMED. Genetic Resources (2021) S1 International Congress on Sheep and Goats 68 Abstract book
Text excerpts

excerpt 1

Management and animal welfare Poster presentations Effect of a topical wound anaesthesia formulation on the cortisol and the acute phase responses of lambs undergoing tail docking. Ortín, A.1, Borobia, M.1 Ramos, J.J.1, Lacasta, D.1, Ferrer, L.M.1, Tejedor, M.T.2, Ruiz, H.1, Jimenez, C.3,4 and Windsor, P.A.1 1 Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza- CITA), Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain 2 Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics Department, CIBER CV (Universidad de Zaragoza-IIS), (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain 3 Gabinete Técnico Veterinario S.L. C/ Isla conejera s/n. 50013 Zaragoza, Spain 4 Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia Contact: Aurora Ortín, aortin@unizar.es Abstract: In this study we evaluated the effect of a topical wound gel formulation containing local anaesthetics lignocaine and bupivacaine, with cetrimide and adrenalin (Tri-Solfen®; TS) on the concentrations of serum cortisol (SC) and the acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) in tail-docked lambs. Forty-four female lambs with similar weights were recruited into four equal cohorts: Groups A and C, the tail was excised with a scalpel without anaesthesia and Groups B and D, the tail was surgically excised and stitched under general anaesthesia (GA). C and D groups were immediately sprayed with TS. Blood samples were collected before tail docking and at different time intervals post-tail excision. Concentra-tions of SC and SAA were determined using ELISA assays (Salivary Cortisol ELISA SLV-2930, DRG Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany; PHASE TM Serum Amyloid A Assay, Tridelta Development Ltd., Maynooth, Ireland). Statistical analysis was

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A SLV-2930, DRG Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany; PHASE TM Serum Amyloid A Assay, Tridelta Development Ltd., Maynooth, Ireland). Statistical analysis was preformed using IBM SPSS statistics version 26 (2019) software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). SC concentration did not change significantly over time in cohorts tail-docked under GA (B & D), but peaked at 30 min post tail removing without anaesthesia (A & C), and treatment with TS (C) appeared to reduce this cortisol response. In cohorts B & D , SAA concentrations increased significantly 48 hours after tail docking, as it is expected after a noxious stimulus, but treatment with TS avoided the elevation of SAA at this time point in lambs where the tail was excised without anaesthesia. These results appear to indicate that treatment with TS reduces cortisol and SAA responses in lambs tail docked without anaesthesia, although further research is needed to corroborate these findings. References: Marini, D., Colditz, I.G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J.C., Lee, C., 2017. Self-administration by consumption of flunixin in feed alleviates the pain and inflammation associated with castration and tail docking of lambs. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 188, 26–33. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.12.008. Paull, D.R., Lee, C., Colditz, I.G., Atkinson, S.J., Fisher, A.D., 2009. The effect of a topical anaesthetic formulation, systemic flunixin and carprofen, singly or in combination, on cortisol and behavioural responses of Merino lambs to mulesing. Aust. Vet. J. 85, 98–106. DOI: 10.1111 /j.1 751 -0813.2009.00429.x. Tothova C, Nagy O, Kovac G. 2014. Acute phase proteins and their use in the diagnosis of diseases in ruminants: a review. Vet. Med. 59, 163-168. DOI: 10.17221/7478-VETMED. Genetic Resources (2021) S1 International Congress on Sheep and Goats

excerpt 3

seases in ruminants: a review. Vet. Med. 59, 163-168. DOI: 10.17221/7478-VETMED. Genetic Resources (2021) S1 International Congress on Sheep and Goats 68 Abstract book