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Impact of topical anaesthesia on pain alleviation and wound healing in lambs after mulesing

2008; Wiley; Volume: 86; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1751-0813.2008.00285.x

1751-0813

Sabrina Lomax, Meredith Sheil, Peter Windsor,

Veterinary Equine Medical Research

Objective To investigate the impact of using the topical anaesthetic preparation Tri‐Solfen® on pain alleviation and wound healing in lambs undergoing mulesing. Design Three separate trials, placebo controlled and/or randomised, were carried out over a 5 month period on three mobs of between 60 and 263 merino lambs undergoing routine mulesing. Procedure Wound pain was assessed using 10 and 75 g calibrated Von‐Frey monofilaments to determine sensitivity to light touch and pain stimulation over a 4 to 8 h period. Pain‐related behaviour was documented by trained, blinded observers using a numerical rating scale. Wound healing rates were determined using scaled digital photography and image analysis software to calculate contraction in wound surface area 2 and 4 weeks after mulesing. Results There was rapid (3 min) and prolonged (up to 8 h) wound analgesia as shown by pain response scores (P ≤ 0.01), with absent or significantly diminished primary and secondary hyperalgesia (P ≤ 0.01) and significant reduction in pain‐related behaviour (P < 0.001) in treated versus untreated lambs. In addition there was improved wound healing in the treated lambs (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion Tri‐Solfen® effects rapid and prolonged wound analgesia, reduction in pain‐related behaviour and improved wound healing in lambs undergoing routine mulesing, providing effective alleviation of pain associated with routine mulesing in sheep.