Comparison of online, hands-on, and a combined approach for teaching cautery disbudding technique, including administration of a comual nerve block, to dairy producers

摘要

The use of pain control for disbudding and dehorning is important from both an animal- and industry-centered perspective. Best practices include the use of local anesthetic, commonly given as a cornual nerve block, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Approximately 40% of Canadian dairy producers do not use local anesthesia, perhaps in part due to lack of knowledge regarding cornual nerve block technique. Although this skill is typically learned in person from a veterinarian, alternative or adjunct methods maybe useful for hard to reach producers. The objective of this trial was to determine if there were differences in the efficacy of online training, hands-on training, and a combined approach for teaching producers to successfully administer a cornual nerve block and disbud a calf less than 12 weeks of age.