Lamb marking: Pain Relief Options

Stock Journal Feature Article - May 2024

A range of pain relief options have been registered for lambs, each of these products do differ however, so it is worth taking a closer look at which options suit a management system best.

Broadly speaking, pain relief products fit into two categories depending on the type of pain that they manage (Table 1). The first group manages immediate pain. These products take effect very quickly but usually only last for a short duration. The second group target long term (chronic pain) and while they are longer to take effect, they provide pain relief for up to three days.

Best practice guidelines suggest using a combination of these products, covering both immediate and chronic pain.

Another significant difference between the products is in their application. This has an impact on which operations they suit.

Tri-Solfen® is a spray on that can only be used on open wounds. It also contains an antiseptic and adrenaline to help control bleeding.

In contrast, NumOcaine® is an injection given when applying rings with the Numnuts® applicator, restricting it to the use of marking rings only.

The meloxicam products, Butec OTM and Metacam® 20, are suitable for both open wounds and with marking rings. Whilst Metacam® 20 is an injectable, Butec OTM is a thick gel administered inside the cheek of the lamb. Unlike a drench that the animal swallows, it is absorbed through the mucosa of the inner cheek.

Table 1. Comparison of common pain relief products for lambs

It is worth consulting your veterinarian when deciding which product to use. Keep in mind too that withholding periods do vary significantly between products.

There are many different factors to consider when deciding on pain relief products for your system. The good news is, with a range of options available, there should be something to suit your needs.