Horns in cattle - KOBRA - Universität Kassel
Horns in cattle - KOBRA - Universität Kassel
Horns in cattle - KOBRA - Universität Kassel
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decl<strong>in</strong>ed after 1 hour. Faulkner and Weary (2000) found behavioural signs of pa<strong>in</strong><br />
(head jerks, ear flick<strong>in</strong>g) dur<strong>in</strong>g the complete 24 hours of observation time (peak at 6<br />
hours), whereas cortisol responses normally reached pre-treatment levels 4 hours after<br />
the procedure. Plasma cortisol concentrations appear not to be <strong>in</strong>fluenced by the type<br />
of hot iron disbudder. Dehorn<strong>in</strong>g with a conventional electrical dehorner (applied for<br />
1 to 2 m<strong>in</strong>) or a Buddex (applied for 10 seconds) resulted <strong>in</strong> similar cortisol responses<br />
(Wohlt et al., 1994). Also the duration of the burn<strong>in</strong>g procedure, related to horn bud<br />
size and age of calves, did not result <strong>in</strong> different k<strong>in</strong>ds or <strong>in</strong>tensity of defence<br />
reactions (Taschke, 1995). Possibly, this is due to a ceil<strong>in</strong>g effect. S<strong>in</strong>ce calves seem<br />
to show a maximum of defence reactions already <strong>in</strong> the first seconds of contact with<br />
the hot iron, it might not be possible for them to react even more vigorously to<br />
prolonged burn<strong>in</strong>g times.<br />
2.5.4.2. Caustic paste disbudd<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Caustic paste disbudd<strong>in</strong>g causes chemical burn of underly<strong>in</strong>g tissue. The active<br />
<strong>in</strong>gredient used for paste disbudd<strong>in</strong>g is a strong alkali, which firstly withdraws water<br />
from <strong>in</strong>side the effected cells, caus<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>tracellular dehydration. Secondly,<br />
saponification of subcutaneous fat causes the fatty tissue to loose its function, with<br />
<strong>in</strong>creased damage due to the heat of reaction. Thirdly, the reaction with prote<strong>in</strong> forms<br />
alkal<strong>in</strong>e-prote<strong>in</strong>ate, which is soluble and conta<strong>in</strong>s OH ions, the latter caus<strong>in</strong>g further<br />
chemical reactions which <strong>in</strong>itiate deeper <strong>in</strong>jury of the tissue. Alkal<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>juries are<br />
more progressive, compared with acid, and the necrotic tissue becomes moist (Yano<br />
et al., 1993). Histopathological f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs after alkali burns <strong>in</strong> pigs have revealed fullthickness<br />
epidermal necrosis and superficial dermal necrosis (Cowart et al., 2000).<br />
The pa<strong>in</strong> caused by alkali is described by humans as “itch<strong>in</strong>g pa<strong>in</strong>” or “marked pa<strong>in</strong>”<br />
(Ma et al., 2007, cited from Stilwell et al., 2009).<br />
Disbudd<strong>in</strong>g with caustic paste caused an <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong> plasma cortisol level for 1 hour,<br />
reached the highest level at 60 m<strong>in</strong>utes after disbudd<strong>in</strong>g and returned to basal levels<br />
with<strong>in</strong> 4 hours to 24 hours after treatment (Morisse et al., 1995; Stilwell et al., 2009).<br />
Behavioural observations <strong>in</strong> caustic paste disbudded calves revealed more restlessness<br />
behaviour (transitions from ly<strong>in</strong>g to stand<strong>in</strong>g), <strong>in</strong>ert ly<strong>in</strong>g, head shak<strong>in</strong>g and head<br />
rubb<strong>in</strong>g than <strong>in</strong> sham disbudded calves 15 m<strong>in</strong>, 1 hour, 3 hours and 6 hours after the<br />
procedure (Stilwell et al., 2007).<br />
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