Protocol for a systematic review: Effects of local anesthesia and/or systemic analgesia on pain caused by cautery disbudding in calves

Abstract

Use of pain control for disbudding calves is an important welfare concern in the dairy industry, but variations in recommendations may be partially responsible for the lack of full adoption of anesthesia and analgesia by both dairy producers and veterinarians. Although narrative reviews on the use of pain control have been published, there have been no systematic reviews. This protocol describes a review of the effects of the use of local anesthesia and analgesia (using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)) on the pain of cautery disbudding in calves. Cautery disbudding is currently the most commonly used method in North America of preventing horn growth, used by over three-quarters of dairy producers.