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PaIn MItIGatIon In CattLe 165

lower in flunixin-treated cattle, but there numbers were not statistically different. Additionally,
untreated controls in the study spent more time laying following induction and treatment compared
to flunixin-treated cattle, but these results were not seen after the first day. 86
The NSAID ketoprofen has been evaluated in multiple clinical field trials to determine its
analgesic effectiveness on pain mitigation of lameness in cattle. 83,87,88 In all studies, adult lactating
dairy cattle were detected as lame using a locomotion scoring technique before enrollment into the
89
study. Following ketoprofen administration of a gradually increasing dose with a maximum dose
of 3 mg/kg, mild improvements were observed in gait attributes, including an increased number
88
of symmetrical steps and a more even weight distribution among all four limbs. Moreover, a
reduced variation in weight distribution has also been reported following administration of keto-
83
profen analgesia. Ketoprofen was also shown to result in a sound lameness score 35 days after an
acute lameness episode when given as part of a trim and block treatment regimen. However, when
90
given as a preemptive analgesic to acutely lame cattle before corrective trimming, ketoprofen failed
to alleviate stress results. 91
Meloxicam has been shown to improve lameness scores when given orally at doses between
0.5 and 1 mg/kg. 92,93 In a trial using a lameness induction model, calves receiving meloxicam once
94
daily for 4 days had improved lameness signs. With an increased step count in meloxicam-treated
animals compared to placebo-treated controls, meloxicam concentrations were inversely associ-
ated with lameness scores and positively associated with pressure and contact of the ipsilateral
94
limb. Meloxicam administered with gabapentin demonstrated a beneficial analgesic response as
evidenced by increased stride length and force applied to the ipsilateral claw compared to placebo-
94
treated controls. This response was greater than gabapentin administered without concurrent
meloxicam administration. 94
Local anesthetics have used for desensitization of the lower limb and foot for the treatment of
lameness and/or diagnosis of the condition. However, effects are relatively short-lived after removal
of the tourniquet required for use. The training and facilities required to utilize such techniques rel-
egate them to use on severely lame cows and surgery of the distal limb. In a clinical study evaluating
lameness, cattle given a local anesthetic block using lidocaine had improved gait scores but these
improvements were not significant. The differences in the weight bearing of the affected foot and
contralateral foot were reduced following local anesthesia. This indicated cattle shifted less weight
from the affected foot to the contralateral foot. 95

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