Since Tri-Solfen® was commercially launched, over 150 million lambs have been treated and over 80% of Australian wool growers are now using Tri-Solfen for their sheep. Here’s what some of them have to say…
‘We have used pain relief for two years now and seen real production gains. We are concerned for the welfare of our animals and will continue to use pain relief to ensure they get the best care.’
Clinton Wise– Wililoo Merino Stud, Woodanilling, W.A.
'It easy to see the difference pain relief makes. Before, lambs would walk away hunched up, even taking a couple of hours to walk back to the paddock. Now they run straight back to Mum and start suckling,” says Rod. “My wool is now sold under the Better Choices brand. I see this as a definite advantage. I think it will be an advantage in the long run, to both me and the industry as a whole.'
Rod Miller– Glenpaen Merino Stud, Horsham, Vic
'After being treated with pain relief my lambs were more content and less stressed. As farmers we are sincere in looking after the welfare of our animals and using pain relief demonstrates this.'
Richard Coole– Frankland, W.A.
'We have been using pain relief for the past three years. We’re impressed by reduced bleeding in the mulesing wound immediately after application. Lambs run straight back to find the ewe, which has dramatically reduced our mortality rates. Flock management, post lamb marking is easier due to the effect of pain relief and the scab healing faster.'
Ryan & Malcom O’Dea– Peepingee Merino Stud, Narrogin, W.A.
'Using pain relief eases the stress and allows lambs to mother up and move back to the paddock easier with faster weight gains.'
Ian is Chief Executive Officer of Dechra Pharmaceuticals, which has a 33% shareholder in Medical Ethics. He joined National Veterinary Services, Dechra’s former services business in 1989 and joined the Board of Dechra in 1997. In October 2010, Ian was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of Sanford DeLand Asset Management.
Dr Chris Roberts
Human Wound and Regulatory Advisor
Chris has over 20 years’ line management experience of heading clinical research teams. He was previously global head of Smith & Nephew clinical support and market development, where he managed global clinical Phase II and III programmes in the management of venous and pressure ulcers.
Lieutenant Colonel Professor Steven Jeffery
Medical Specialist Advisor
Steve has over 15 years’ experience in military plastic surgery. In 2011 he was awarded the Military Civilian Partnership Award for ‘Regular of the Year’, as well as receiving the Wounds UK ‘Key Contribution’ award and the Smith and Nephew ‘Customer Pioneer of the Year’ award. He has also been awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England ad eundum. He is an expert adviser to NICE Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme. Steve co-founded the Woundcare 4 Heroes charity, which is already making a big difference to the wound care of both serving and veteran personnel.
Dr Matthew Bayfield
Medical Specialist Scientific Director
Dr Matthew Bayfield, Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Strathfield Private Hospital and VMO Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Professor Peter Windsor
Veterinarian Research Advisor
Peter is a registered specialist veterinary surgeon in New South Wales and an emeritus Professor at Sydney University. He holds a BVSc (Hons), PhD, DVSc and diploma from the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management.
Dr Julian Braidwood
Global Regulatory Affairs Advisor
Julian has held leadership roles and managed international clinical projects with Grampian. He was previously Regulatory Affairs Manager at Novartis Animal Health. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Triveritas, where he is responsible for a team of 40 animal health specialists across the EU and the US.
Tri-Solfen® is a local anaesthetic and antiseptic gel spray that adheres well to wounds and acts as a barrier to environmental stimuli, promotes haemostasis and improves wound healing. Tri-Solfen® contains two proven topical local anaesthetics; fast-acting Lignocaine for immediate pain relief and long-acting bupivacaine for prolonged post-operative pain relief. Adrenaline is included for its ability to reduce the shock and stress of blood loss, whilst prolonging the anaesthetic action. Tri-Solfen® also contains Cetrimide; an antiseptic widely used to cleanse skin and wounds and provides protection from bacterial contamination.
The RSPCA has backed the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine Authority’s approval of pain relief gel Tri-Solfen for cutting the horns of young cattle.
The topical anaesthetic was originally brought into the country to assist sheep producers with the controversial practice of mulesing, and its use has spread into the cattle industry for dehorning calves.
The RSPCA says while it backs the use of pain relief for de-horning, breeding a cattle herd without the need to cut parts off should be the ultimate goal.
(ABC: Pip Courtney)
RSPCA senior scientific officer Melina Tensen said livestock pain relief needed to be practical for graziers to do on farm.
“In this context of dehorning, using both that topical anaesthetic, in other words Tri-Solfen, in combination with an oral pain relief or an injectable is probably the best way to go from an animal welfare perspective.”
However, Ms Tensen said in the long term the cattle industry needed to look at other options to dehorning.
“In the case of dehorning it’s already possible to breed for polled animals,” she said.
“What we’re aiming for in the long run is not to cut bits off animals at all and if we can start by introducing polled animals that would be great.”
Moving away from cattle with horns, not easy
One of Australia’s largest family-owned cattle companies, McDonald Holdings, originally trialled the pain relief gel about six years ago.
The late Zanda McDonald first trialled the pain relief gel about six years ago, now the company uses it for all de-horning.
(ABC TV – file image)
The project was kicked off by the late Zanda McDonald as a trial, and now the company has started using it for all its dehorning.
“They go straight back to their mothers. They’re not shaking their head or in any discomfort, they recover a lot quicker.”
Mr McDonald said the company’s cattle in the south, which was mainly Angus, had small horns.
However, the company also has large breeding herd in the Cape York Peninsula and Mr McDonald said breeds of cattle with horns were not suited to the harsh environment of the north.
“I can’t think of anyone who would want to have horns on as a choice,” he said.
“But when trying to breed one trait out, it’s often at the detriment of some of the other traits you’re trying to get. FULL ARTICLE
