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DOI: 10.1055/a-1261-6346
Verhaltensassoziierte und physiologische Indikatoren für Schmerz und Unwohlsein bei Kälbern nach Schwanzamputation
Behavioural and physiological indicators of pain and distress in calves following tail docking![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00034912/202005/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-a-1261-6346-1.jpg)
Zusammenfassung
Gegenstand und Ziel Die prophylaktische Amputation der bindegewebigen Schwanzspitze mittels Gummiring ist in Deutschland nach TSchG § 6 Abs. 3 Nr. 3 bei Mastbullenkälbern genehmigungspflichtig und erfolgt zur Vermeidung von Schwanzspitzennekrosen. Andere haltungstechnische Eingriffe bei Kälbern, wie Enthornung und Kastration, sind mit Stress und Schmerzen für das Tier verbunden. Auch eine weiter proximal, im Zwischenwirbelspalt durchgeführte Amputation des Schwanzes hat erkennbare Auswirkungen auf das Tier. Dagegen gibt es zur Amputation der bindegewebigen Schwanzspitze bisher keine Studie, die entstehende Belastungen für das Kalb untersucht. Ziel der vorliegenden Pilotstudie war, das Schmerzerlebnis der Kälber bei diesem Eingriff zu erfassen.
Material und Methoden Im Rahmen einer Doppelblindstudie wurden 16 männliche, 8–10 Wochen alte Fleckvieh- oder Fleckviehkreuzungskälber untersucht. Probanden der Gruppe A (Amputation) wurde an Tag 0 ein Gummiring 3 cm oberhalb der Schwanzspitze angelegt, bei Tieren der Gruppe K (Kontrolle) erfolgte an dieser Stelle ein Kontrollhandling. Nach dem Eingriff wurde mittels ELISA die Konzentration von Kortisol und Substanz P im Blutplasma untersucht sowie Verhaltens- und Aktivitätsparameter anhand videogestützter Verhaltensbeobachtung und Pedometerdaten erfasst.
Ergebnisse Der Eingriff beeinflusste die Substanz-P-Konzentration nicht. Anders als in Gruppe A sank in Gruppe K die Kortisolkonzentration im Vergleich zum Basalwert ab. An Tag 0 zeigten Kälber der Gruppe A im Vergleich zu Tieren der Gruppe K eine höhere Schrittzahl, vermehrtes Schlagen mit dem Schwanz sowie häufigere Interaktionen des Kopfes mit Schwanz oder Hinterhand.
Schlussfolgerung Eine höhere Schrittzahl nach Anbringen des Gummirings lässt sich als Zeichen für Unruhe interpretieren, gehäuftes Schwanzschlagen und Benagen/Belecken des Schwanzes als schmerzbedingtes Abwehrverhalten. In Kombination mit dem gleichbleibend hohen Kortisolspiegel sprechen diese Parameter für eine schmerzhafte Belastung der Kälber durch die Amputation.
Klinische Relevanz Um die Inzidenz von Schwanzspitzennekrosen zu vermindern, sollte zunächst eine tierschutzgerechte Verbesserung der Haltungsumwelt im Vordergrund stehen. Bei Durchführung der Amputation lässt sich auf Grundlage dieser Studie die Gabe eines nicht steroidalen Antiphlogistikums vor Anlegen des Gummirings empfehlen, um die Schmerzbelastung für das Tier zu minimieren.
Abstract
Objectives According to the German law on animal welfare (§ 6, section 3, No. 3), the prophylactic amputation of beef calves’ tail end using elastic rubber rings requires authorities’ permission. Removal of the tail end is performed in order to avoid tail tip necrosis. Other invasive management procedures such as dehorning and castration are associated with pain reactions and stress in calves. Also, more proximal docking of the tail between 2 vertebrae has a proven impact on the animal’s wellbeing. However, little is known concerning the occurrence of pain and stress during docking the soft tail tip in beef calves. For this reason, this pilot study aimed to evaluate pain reactions of calves during tail docking using rubber rings.
Material and methods Sixteen male Fleckvieh and Fleckvieh-crossbreed calves 8–10 weeks of age were involved using a double-blind study. On day 0, a rubber ring was placed 3 cm proximally to the tip of the tail in the calves in group A (amputation), whereas calves in the group K (control) underwent a similar control handling. Following the procedure, blood plasma concentrations of cortisol and substance P were determined by ELISA. Parameters concerning behavior and activity were collected using video-assisted observation and recording of pedometer data.
Results Treatment had no impact on substance P levels. The development of serum cortisol levels showed a decrease in group K compared to baseline values whereas cortisol levels remained constant in group A. On day 0, calves in group A exhibited higher step counts, tail shaking frequency as well as grooming of tail and hind quarters than calves in group K.
Conclusion Increased step count may be interpreted as restlessness. Frequent tail shaking as well as repetitive tail and rear quarter grooming may be associated with unpleasant sensation of the rubber rings’ pressure. Alterations in physiological behavior, as well as a constant level of cortisol on day 0 and day + 1 may be indicative for pain perception provoked by the rubber ring application.
Clinical relevance In the first place, improvement of animal welfare is warranted for a reduction in incidence of tail tip necrosis, especially taking husbandry conditions into account. However, if tail docking is deemed necessary, based on the presented results the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is recommended in order to reduce peri-procedural pain.
Publication History
Received: 03 April 2020
Accepted: 26 August 2020
Article published online:
20 October 2020
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