Effect of Meloxicam on Behavior, Physiology and Pain Sensitivity in Holstein Calves Following Dehorning

Abstract

The present work aimed to assess the effects of meloxicam on the behavior, feed intake, physiology and pain sensitivity in calves following dehorning. Calves were randomly allocated to four groups: dehorning by amputation with saline (ADNM) or meloxicam (ADM) and chemical disbudding with saline (CDNM) or meloxicam (CDM). Significant differences in the frequencies of all behaviors and activity levels were not observed for the treatment*time interaction (p ≥ 0.05) but were observed for time points (p < 0.05), and the total intake, foraging, hay or milk intake, rectal temperatures, respiration and heart rates and mechanical nonreceptive thresholds (MNTs) in calves were all noted (p < 0.05). For the treatment*time interaction, significant differences were showed between the CDNM and CDM groups in the total intake (at d 0 and 1), foraging (at d 1), hay or milk intake (at d 0 and 1), rectal temperatures (at 24 hr), heart rates (at 4 and 6 hr), and MNTs ( right horn at 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hr; left horn at 6 and 24 hr); and significant differences were found between the ADNM and ADM groups in the rectal temperatures (at 6 hr), respiration rates (at 4, 6 and 24 hr), heart rates (at 2, 4 and 6 hr), and MNT (right horn at 2 to 72 hr; left horn at 24 hr). Our results indicated that meloxicam relieves pain after calf dehorning and helps restore feed intake.