Interpretation of cortisol responses in calf disbudding studies

Abstract

Extract

We are aware that the paper by Petrie et al. entitled Cortisol responses of calves to two methods of disbudding used with or without local anaesthetic (New Zealand Veterinary Journal 44, 9-14, 1996) has generated some concern among veterinarians with regard to the effect of local anaesthetic on the distress evoked by disbudding. The paper apparently has been used by some to justify not using local anaesthetic with cautery disbudding, whilst others challenge the conclusions of the paper to justify the use of local anaesthetic.