Peers et al
New Zealand Veterinary Journal 50(2), 2002
61
Dinniss AS, Stafford KJ, Mellor DJ, Bruce RA, Ward RN. The behaviour
In conclusion, we have shown that ring castration and tail dock-
ing of lambs causes marked elevations in arterial blood pressure
and heart rate, and in the plasma concentrations of ACTH and
cortisol, and that the former cardiovascular responses continue
beyond 4 h, by which time the latter hormonal responses are
complete. The stability of all other parameters shows that de-
hydration, body fluid shifts, and changes in glucose and lactate
balance are not significant during the 4 h after ring application.
We have also shown that control blood sampling via a cannula
of lambs which are well accustomed to handling causes virtually
no distress. The results suggest that, after ring castration and tail
docking, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure and
heart rate may be more sensitive than plasma ACTH or cortisol
concentrations as indices of low-grade pain. Alternatively, it is
possible that by 4 h after ring placement a small shift in sym-
pathetic tone still persists in the absence of low-grade pain. This
merits further investigation.
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Acknowledgements
Kent JE, Molony V, Graham MJ. Comparison of methods for the reduction
of acute pain produced by rubber ring castration or tail docking of week-old
lambs. The Veterinary Journal 155, 39–51, 1998
The authors thank Angela Gibson, David Iannello, Tom Vale, Jo
Culican, Alan McDonald, Renato Salemi, and Karen Moritz of
the Howard Florey Institute for their technical assistance. We also
thank Dr Neville Gregory, South Australian Research and Devel-
opment Institute, for helpful discussion. This study was funded
by a block grant to the Howard Florey Institute from the National
Health and Medical Research Council (98300) and grants-in-aid
from the Jack Brockoff Foundation, Broken Hill Proprieties and
the Ross Trust, Melbourne, Australia.
Lester SJ, Mellor DJ, Ward RN, Holmes RJ. Cortisol responses of young
lambs to castration and tailing using different methods. New Zealand
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