Take an NSAID at the first sign of pain? Dairy cattle should, too

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Only 26% of dairy producers and 13% to 42% of veterinarians provide adequate pain management to dairy cattle experiencing mastitis, a recognized painful condition, according to researchers. Mastitis is just one example showcasing the lack of pain control use in the dairy industry.¹

A newly published narrative review, Pain in Dairy Cattle: A Narrative Review of the Need for Pain Control, Industry Practices and Stakeholder Expectations, and Opportunities, summarizes common painful conditions and procedures in dairy cattle. It also covers quality assurance programs’ pain management recommendations and the uptake of pain management in practice.

Dairy cattle experience pain during necessary or unavoidable procedures and conditions such as dehorning, castration, abdominal surgery, lameness, and mastitis. Pain can decrease dairy production and increase animal distress, negatively impacting welfare. Quality assurance programs, including Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (USA), proAction (Canada), and Red Tractor (UK), have guidelines on pain management in dairy cattle; however, the industry has implemented recommended strategies inconsistently.

Signs and symptoms of pain in cattle include increased heart rate and cortisol, abnormal gait, reduced feed and milk intake, lethargy, and prolonged lying. If a cow exhibits any of these characteristics, it is crucial to mitigate pain. Appropriate pain alleviation methods recommended for common procedures (e.g., dehorning, castration, abdominal surgery) are local anesthetics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Recommendations for common conditions such as (e.g., lameness, mastitis) include NSAIDs, early intervention, and supportive therapy such as corrective hoof trimming and hoof blocks. Preferred NSAIDs in cattle are ketoprofen, meloxicam, and flunixin meglumine.

A standard approach as simple as giving an NSAID can significantly improve industry practice. Regardless, current levels of pain management administration by producers and veterinarians in Europe and North America are low. Only 24% to 35% of producers and 39% to 56% of veterinarians provide NSAIDs/systemic analgesia for dehorning, while 8% to 10% and 25% to 42% for castration; 80% and 60-75% for lameness, 61% to 98% and 61-77% for abdominal surgeries, and 26% and 13-42% for mastitis, respectively. Although these painful procedures and conditions are usual among cattle, pain does not need to be as common. Educating producers and veterinarians on the importance of pain management is the first step to closing the gap.

The study authors conclude further research is needed to identify and overcome barriers to adopting pain management strategies, which are vital to minimizing pain in animals and ensuring productive and sustainable dairy production.

Miranda Morman, BS, is a 2025 PharmD candidate from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy in Storrs.

Reference

Roche S, Saraceni J, Zehr L, Renaud D. Pain in dairy cattle: A narrative review of the need for pain control, industry practices and stakeholder expectations, and opportunities. Animals. 2025;877(15). doi:10.3390/ani15060877