Ref Code: CAT15

Category

Teaching - 3 (Instructor:student ratio 1:3)
Research - 4

Objective

To remove the horns from cattle in a manner that will minimise pain but, in turn, will reduce the risk of the animal subsequently inflict injury on other animals or humans.

Alternatives to animal use for teaching

Video

Details of procedure

Dehorning is performed to prevent injury to both other cattle and to handlers. Hornless cattle are also less likely to injure themselves while being yarded. The use of polled breeds would eliminate the need for dehorning. Tipping has been suggested as an alternative to dehorning but has not been shown to reduce the incidence of bruising.

Calves should be dehorned, or preferably disbudded, as young as possible, to minimise blood loss and stress. No cattle over the age of one year shall be dehorned without analgesia. Cattle must be adequately restrained to minimise stress and to ensure safety to both animal and operator.

Methods include dehorning knife, scoop dehorners, cauterising, guillotine and caustic bud removal. Dehorner blades should be sharp and disinfected between animals. With guillotine-type dehorners, a ring of hair about 5mm wide should be removed with the base of the horn.

Calf horn buds should be clipped before application of caustic chemicals or use of cautery  for disbudding.

If carrying out disbudding using caustic, calves should be under 14 days of age and should be kept dry and separate from other calves for 12 hours after treatment.

Dehorning should not be carried out in inclement weather, or where flies or dust are excessive, as these conditions predispose to infections. If fly repellents are used, they should be applied before the operation.

Drugs, chemicals, or biological agents

Not required unless carrying out caustic dehorning.

Impact of procedure on the wellbeing of animal(s)

Minimal impact will be felt by the animal, if dehorning is carried out quickly, with efficient equipment, and during periods of dry weather when flies are absent. The likelihood of an adverse impact increases with age, and every effort should be made to dehorn animals before the horn reaches 50-60mm in length.

Reuse and repeated use

If the horns or horn buds are effectively removed, no regrowth will occur and subsequent dehorning will be avoided.

Care of animal(s) during/after procedure

After dehorning, animals should be placed in a well-grassed and shaded paddock.

Pain relief measures

Not normally required. Dressings such as tar and toe must not be placed on the wound after dehorning.

Qualifications, experience or training necessary to perform this procedure

Demonstrator

Veterinarian or experienced operator.

Students

May carry out procedure under supervision of an experienced operator.