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Goat kids should be treated differently to calves, study finds
"Managers must recognise that goat kids are not small calves.”
Scientists review existing scientific literature on disbudding methods. 

A study by scientists in New Zealand has concluded that there is a need for goat kids to be treated differently to small calves.

The study, published in the journal Animal Welfare, follows concerns relating to disbudding, a practise routinely conducted in calves and goat kids to avoid injury to other animals, farm animals and damage to the environment.

Researchers considered the existing scientific literature, compared the disbudding methods for calves and kids, reviewed the behavioural and physiological responses of the two species to disbudding, and identified alternatives to disbudding along with refinements of current practices.

They concluded that the effect of iron temperature and application deserved special consideration to reduce pain and injury, and to increase effectiveness. Pain and injury associated with disbudding could be eliminated by changing herd management to allow for horned goats, or breeding and farming polled (hornless) animals, the researchers said.

The team also found that alternative disbudding methods, including caustic paste and cryosurgical disbudding, are more painful than cautery disbudding and may not be useful alternatives. They state that while clove oil injection appears to cause a similar experience of acute pain as cautery disbudding, the current method may cause longer-term inflammatory pain, and is therefore ineffective at preventing horns and scurs.

“Until a less painful and efficacious alternative is realised, it appears that adapting cautery disbudding methods using pain mitigation is the best option currently available for farmed dairy goats,” commented lead author, Dr Melissa Hempstead. “In order for the industry to establish best practice guidelines for disbudding goat kids, managers must recognise that goat kids are not small calves.”

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.