| Title: |
Pharmacokinetics and effect of intravenous meloxicam in weaned Holstein calves following scoop dehorning without local anesthesia |
| Authors: |
Coetzee, Johann F; Mosher, Ruby A; KuKanich, Butch; Gehring, Ronette; Robert, Brad; Reinbold, J; White, Brad J |
| Publisher Information: |
BioMed Central Ltd. |
| Publication Year: |
2012 |
| Collection: |
BioMed Central |
| Subject Terms: |
Analgesia; Meloxicam; Dehorning; Substance P; Cortisol; Heart rate; Accelerometers; Performance |
| Description: |
Background Dehorning is a common practice involving calves on dairy operations in the United States. However, less than 20% of producers report using analgesics or anesthetics during dehorning. Administration of a systemic analgesic drug at the time of dehorning may be attractive to dairy producers since cornual nerve blocks require 10 – 15 min to take effect and only provide pain relief for a few hours. The primary objectives of this trial were to (1) describe the compartmental pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in calves after IV administration at 0.5 mg/kg and (2) to determine the effect of meloxicam (n = 6) or placebo (n = 6) treatment on serum cortisol response, plasma substance P (SP) concentrations, heart rate (HR), activity and weight gain in calves after scoop dehorning and thermocautery without local anesthesia. Results Plasma meloxicam concentrations were detectable for 50 h post-administration and fit a 2-compartment model with a rapid distribution phase (mean T ½α = 0.22 ± 0.087 h) and a slower elimination phase (mean T ½β = 21.86 ± 3.03 h). Dehorning caused a significant increase in serum cortisol concentrations and HR (P < 0.05). HR was significantly lower in the meloxicam-treated calves compared with placebo-treated calves at 8 h (P = 0.039) and 10 h (P = 0.044) after dehorning. Mean plasma SP concentrations were lower in meloxicam treated calves (71.36 ± 20.84 pg/mL) compared with control calves (114.70 ± 20.84 pg/mL) (P = 0.038). Furthermore, the change in plasma SP from baseline was inversely proportional to corresponding plasma meloxicam concentrations (P = 0.008). The effect of dehorning on lying behavior was less significant in meloxicam-treated calves (p = 0.40) compared to the placebo-treated calves (P < 0.01). Calves receiving meloxicam prior to dehorning gained on average 1.05 ± 0.13 kg bodyweight/day over 10 days post-dehorning compared with 0.40 ± 0.25 kg bodyweight/day in the placebo-treated calves (p = 0.042). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first published ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/8/153 |
| Availability: |
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/8/153 |
| Rights: |
Copyright 2012 Coetzee et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.3EDD10DE |
| Database: |
BASE |