Livestock experience pain in various circumstances just as humans and other animals do, but they typically demonstrate signs of pain less readily, to avoid showing vulnerability within the herd or to predators. Adrenaline release in prey species can mask pain too, so it can be challenging for keepers to identify pain in livestock and assess its severity.  

Commonly painful conditions 

Pain may be associated with; 

  • Injuries e.g. wounds, fractures, lameness  
  • Diseases e.g. pneumonia, mastitis, fly strike, prolapses, joint ill, eye problems, down cows, colic, scour (diarrhoea) and more 
  • Management actions e.g. disbudding, dehorning, castrating, tail docking, assisted birthing 
  • Procedures including surgery e.g. caesarean section, or lameness treatment 

This is not an exhaustive list. If you suspect pain or observe an injury or illness that would be painful for you, it is probably painful for your livestock too!  

Recognising pain in livestock 

Signs may vary according to species and cause of pain, but may include: 

  • Reduced / abnormal movement including lameness 
  • Abnormal stance (e.g. hunched back, extended neck, uneven weight bearing) 
  • Reduced food intake  
  • Reduced production (e.g. milk drop, reduced mothering ability) 
  • Isolation from group 
  • “Grumpiness” or difficulty handling 
  • Dullness / lethargy 
  • Tooth grinding (bruxism) 
  • A soft grunt when breathing out 
  • Increased breathing rate /effort 
  • Vocalisation (although less common in livestock) 
  • Repetitive kicking, rolling, tail swishing, head shaking 

Regular close observation of livestock when they are well makes early identification of changes easier. If you are unsure, give your vet a call to discuss the situation and make a plan.   

Pain management 

Prompt effective pain relief is not only necessary and beneficial for good welfare but will also aid recovery significantly. Different situations call for different approaches.  

Local anaesthetic is used pre-emptively 

In fact, it is a legal requirement for surgery and when: 

  • Dehorning/disbudding cattle (unless using chemical paste under 7 days old) 
  • Disbudding goats 
  • Tail docking sheep over 7 days old*  

* Exceptions apply and vary by country, age, species and technique. 

Where local anaesthetic is not legally required, it can still be used and may improve animal welfare. Local anaesthetic is inexpensive, easy to administer and highly effective but short acting, lasting just 45 – 90 minutes depending on species and circumstances, so consider using additional pain relief as well. 

General anaesthetic is less commonly used in livestock than other species  

However, it may be an option for your vet in certain circumstances, e.g. when disbudding goats, or performing surgeries e.g. hernia repairs in very young animals, alongside other forms of pain relief. 

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are the mainstay of pain control 

In fact, they are the most used painkillers on farm. Highly effective in livestock, NSAIDs tackle pain by reducing inflammation and swelling but can also reduce fever, improve feed and water intakes, aid milk let down (especially in mastitis), and reduce lung damage in pneumonia. They act similarly to ibuprofen in humans. 

NSAIDs are prescribed by vets but can be administered by stock keepers and used alongside local anaesthetics or other medications. Various different NSAIDs are licensed for use in UK cattle, pigs and horses. None are currently licensed for sheep, goats or camelids, but they are used as we’ll explain in a moment.  

Steroids can have potent and rapid anti-inflammatory effects  

However, they must be used in the right cases and with caution, especially as they may cause abortion in pregnant animals. 

Euthanasia 

In extreme circumstances, such as fractures in large animals or severe/extensive illness or injury, euthanasia may be the most appropriate course of action to prevent further suffering. Your vet can always offer this humane option if there is no better alternative. 

What about pain relief in goats, sheep and camelids?  

As mentioned, there are currently no UK licensed NSAIDs for goats, sheep, or camelids, but this does not prevent their use. The Veterinary Cascade is a framework which aims to protect animal health and welfare by allowing vets to prescribe appropriate unlicensed treatment options where no licensed product exists.  

One NSAID commonly used in UK cattle is licensed for sheep in Canada and New Zealand, so we use this routinely, safely and to great effect. Data obtained by medicines manufacturers and vets supports the safe use of unlicensed NSAID’s in goats and camelids. Your vet can advise on suitable products, dose rates and withdrawal periods (time after treatment where animals cannot be milked or slaughtered for human consumption).  

Caring for livestock in pain 

The most effective pain relief is to provide prompt, effective treatment of the underlying cause of pain. If you suspect a fracture (broken bone) call your vet immediately as further movement may make the situation much worse. Casting or bandaging such an injury can significantly reduce pain but must be done correctly. 

All animals experiencing pain require good nursing including;  

  • Shelter, ideally indoors, with warm, dry bedding and non-slip surfaces. 
  • Protection from further injury by separating from the group into a suitable environment.  
  • Constant easy access to palatable food and water.   
  • Physical relief of pressure causing pain, e.g. stripping out (hand milking) animals affected by mastitis or regularly moving recumbent animals (those which cannot stand). 

Be aware that painful animals may be less mobile, less predictable, unsteady on their feet, or reactive in their behaviour so always consider your own safety first. 

Preventing pain 

We cannot prevent all pain, but we can minimise it.  

Elective procedures e.g. disbudding/castration/tail docking: 

  • Consider the need for, timing of, and approach e.g. consider using dehorning paste in newborn calves. This can be highly effective, even in highland cattle!  
  • Use local anaesthetic correctly – ask your vet to demonstrate or attend a local skills course to learn.  
  • Remember local anaesthetic is short acting so consider using an NSAID too. 

Plan to prevent disease: 

  • Vaccinate against known or likely diseases such as orf, lameness, pneumonia or mastitis. 
  • Accurate disease diagnosis provides invaluable information for future prevention and treatment. Subsidised testing is often available for pneumonia and scour investigation. 
  • Consider breeding decisions and nutritional management to minimise difficult births. 

Aim to prevent injury: 

  • Carry out regular maintenance of fences, gates, pens, walkways, handling systems and transport. 
  • Ensure adequate access to resources such as feed to avoid fighting. 

Conclusion 

When it comes to pain, prevention is better than cure, but when injury or illness does occur, learn to recognise it early, treat it promptly and effectively, then nurse to the very best of your ability! 

Your vet is best placed to provide up to date, accurate, case/holding/species specific advice on prevention and treatment, and when problems do arise, we’d much rather hear from you sooner than later so don’t hesitate to call. A visit may be necessary, but in many cases, we can advise by phone and dispense pain relief to administer on farm.  

The use of pain relief in livestock has certainly increased over the 20 years since I qualified as a vet, and I am very happy to now see NSAIDs regarded by many as an essential part of the lambing/calving kit. But there is scope for significant improvement yet, and the onus is vets and stock keepers alike to achieve that. 

Further reading 

Pain management in livestock – Norbrook 

NADIS – Pain Management in Livestock