In this episode, Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by AABP member Dr. Hans Coetzee to discuss pain management in cattle. Dr. Coetzee has been actively involved with research on pain in cattle. He references FDA Guidance #123 which outlines validated methods of pain assessment in animals. We discuss some of the challenges in performing this research as well as challenges to implementing pain management techniques in practice. Dr. Coetzee also discusses the legalities of using drugs in an extra-label manner in the US and the letter from the FDA written to Dr. Gingrich regarding the use of meloxicam for castration and dehorning pain. That letter can be found on the AABP website at this link.
Dr. Coetzee discusses the differences in pain management implementation in beef versus dairy management systems and a holistic approach, not just pharmacological approach, to pain management. Under the leadership of Dr. Coetzee and a working group, AABP developed a pain management resource that provides drugs, dosages, suggested withdrawal intervals, and research to pain management in cattle. This resource can be found on the CPBI committee page at this link. AABP has also developed guidelines on dehorning and castration that are useful to assist veterinarians and producers in performing these procedures while optimizing the health and welfare of the patient.