It's more than Just a Business
Vet
Q1. What is pain relief at mulesing?
Answer:
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) accepts the practice of mulesing as a necessary sheep husbandry procedure to prevent breech strike. At the present time, mulesing is the most effective method of preventing breech strike and provides lifetime protection. It is acknowledged that the procedure is accompanied by pain but there is ample evidence in scientific literature that unequivocally establishes the positive health and welfare benefits conferred upon sheep in the Australian environment by correct mulesing. Tri-Solfen is a topical anaesthetic and antiseptic solution for pain relief The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) has approved the use of Tri-Solfen, a topical anaesthetic and antiseptic solution for pain relief in sheep. Tri-Solfen is formulated with a number of actives to work to reduce the trauma associated with mulesing. Tri-Solfen is used to quickly anaesthetise the wound to reduce pain in the post-operative period. It has also been developed to reduce blood loss and infection in order to improve wound healing. Livestock producers are generally aware that improving the welfare of their livestock leads to an improvement in productivity. How does Tri-Solfen work? Tri-Solfen when applied as directed provides several important ingredients for pain and stress management. Proven topical local anaesthetics Tri-Solfen includes two proven topical local anaesthetics. Fast-acting Lignocaine has been shown to reduce pain immediately after application, while long-acting Bupivacaine works to keep post-operative pain at low to mild levels for hours. Reduces bleeding Adrenaline is also included and is known to be very effective in reducing the shock and stress of blood loss whilst prolonging longer-term anaesthetic action. Promotes wound healing Tri-Solfen also contains Cetrimide, an antiseptic widely used to cleanse skin and wounds. It also provides protection from bacterial contamination. The product's gel base also means that it adheres well to the wound and acts as a barrier to potential infection. | |||
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Q2. How can I support my woolgrower clients with pain relief?
Answer:
The important role of veterinarians in minimising pain and distress and significantly contributing to animal welfare is well recognised. As a veterinarian, you know your woolgrower clients aim to optimise all their resources so as to achieve the best overall result. Success is usually measured in economic terms such as gross margin per hectare. Unfortunately, the boundary of a farm system is not the farm gate. Governments, market forces and consumer preferences – things that are often outside the control of the individual producer – also impact on their success. Better Choices Audited Welfare program Better Choices offers veterinarians an opportunity to further help their woolgrower clients to access an audited welfare program aimed at assisting them to overcome the animal welfare concerns of their customers. Retailers around the world are now demanding wool produced where lambs are not mulesed or where pain relief has been used. Woolgrowers who participate in the Better Choices Audited Welfare program will:
Pain relief is only available from you – their veterinarian Tri-Solfen has been developed to help relieve the pain and stress suffered by lambs during mulesing. It is a Schedule 4 product and is only available through you, the veterinarian. Australian woolgrowers need access to the best resources to maintain and grow important markets for Australian wool. The Better Choices campaign asks producers to contact their local veterinarian about better managing their livestock and wool production. |
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Q3. What does the AVA say about pain relief at mulesing?
Answer:
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AVA welcomes mulesing pain relief 29 August 2005 Enhanced welfare of animals through the relief of pain The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) in 2005 welcomed the granting of a permit by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for a new mulesing pain relief product. "We strongly support the development of products that enhance the welfare of animals through the relief of pain," said Dr Matt Makin, who was then president of the AVA. The APVMA has approved the use of Tri-Solfen, a topical anaesthetic and antiseptic solution for pain relief in sheep, noting that it has the potential to reduce the pain and discomfort experienced by sheep after they have been mulesed. Mulesing is the most effective method of preventing breech strike The AVA accepts the practice of mulesing as a necessary sheep husbandry procedure to prevent breech strike. Breech strike is a common form of flystrike in weaner sheep and ewes, resulting in pain and distress. At the present time, mulesing is the most effective method of preventing breech strike and provides lifetime protection. It is acknowledged that the procedure is accompanied by pain, but there is ample evidence in scientific literature that unequivocally establishes the positive health and welfare benefits conferred upon sheep in the Australian environment by correct mulesing. This is a much-anticipated step in the right direction but the Australian wool industry will remain focused on its commitment to develop and implement an alternative to mulesing by 2010. AVA supports continued research "AVA policy supports continued research into alternative methods of blowfly control that does not involve surgical removal of skin from the breech region," said Dr Makin. Contact: Eddie Ripard Contact via E-mail Source: http://www.ava.com.au |
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Q4. What are other vets saying?
Answer:
The important role of veterinarians in minimising pain and distress and significantly contributing to animal welfare is well recognised. There are more than 200 registered Better Choices vets who promote the use of pain relief on mulesed lambs Australia-wide. Dr Lew Schinkle, Kingston, SA Dr Lew Schinkle operates a veterinary practice in Kingston, a wool, prime lamb and beef cattle producing region of South Australia. Dr Schinkle says he always likes to see products used out there in the real world before making any decisions. "My clients were attracted to Tri-Solfen largely for animal welfare reasons. In all they have treated more than 10,000 lambs and they were very happy with the results. They claim Tri-Solfen made a significant difference, especially in the first couple of weeks. "Their observations were that the initial healing in the lambs was vastly superior. Lambs didn't show any pain or stress when released from the cradle and were much easier to muster and mother-up. "One producer uses rotational-grazing and found that when moving the lambs in the first couple of weeks, there was much less cracking in the scabs and they could be moved sooner. A reduction in cracking not only improves mobility but also lessens the risk of infection and flystrike during the healing stage," he says. Dr David Hucker, Western District, Victoria Dr David Hucker is a veterinarian specialising in wool and prime lamb production. Several of Dr Hucker's clients have tried Tri-Solfen to improve lamb welfare at mulesing. "Sheep farmers are very concerned about animal welfare and, if there are benefits to be found, they are keen to try the options," Dr Hucker explains. "Locally, many of my clients have included Tri-Solfen in their lamb marking routine to better the lambing experience. "The feedback has been largely positive. The general consensus is that lambs treated with Tri-Solfen are more contented. They seem to get over mulesing immediately and be in less pain. "They are less stressed and show much more natural behaviour," he says. "They jump out of the cradle, look around for their mother a couple of hundred yards away, walk over and commence suckling. Returning them to the paddock after lamb marking was also easier." Dr Hucker's clients commented that the lambs healed more quickly. This was a particular benefit as clients found it much easier to bring the ewes and lambs back in for other procedures. For those undertaking early weaning, especially during these drought conditions, this was a great plus. See other testimonials from vets, woolgrowers and the wool industry. |
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