Testimonials

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.'

Kent Lummis– Waverley Downs, Gilgandra, NSW

Country	Species	Patent
Australia	Sheep	Granted
Australia	Horses, Dogs, Lab animals	Granted
Australia	Cattle	Granted
Australia	Humans	Granted
New Zealand	Sheep, Cattle	Granted
New Zealand	Horses, Dogs, Lab animals	Granted
EU	Humans	Granted
EU	Pig, Sheep, Cattle	Granted
USA	Dogs, Horses, Lab animals	Granted
USA	Humans	Granted
USA	Pig, Sheep, Cattle	Granted
Canada	Horses, Dogs, Lab animals	Granted
Canada	Cattle, Pig	Granted
Canada	Humans	Granted

Advisory Board

Ian Page

Non-Executive Director

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^®

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.

Welfare Implications of Swine Castration

November 28, 2013

The Pig Site Publication

A review of the literature by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Division, covering methods of castration (surgical and immunocastration) of boar pigs, pain control and alternatives to prevent boar taint.

The Issue

Castration of male piglets is a common practice in many countries and the vast majority of male piglets in the United States are castrated. Castration is performed to avoid boar taint in the meat of sexually mature male pigs and to reduce aggression toward other pigs and caretakers. Boar taint is an accumulation of compounds, such as skatole and androstenone, in the meat of intact males that cause an unpleasant smell and taste that is released when pork is heated. About 75% of consumers find meat from boars objectionable in comparison with meat from castrated males (barrows).¹ The prevalence and intensity of consumer preference varies on the basis of human genotype.² Barrows can be raised beyond puberty without developing strong boar taint, however they have poorer feed conversion and more fat deposits than boars. In addition to a reduction in the risk of boar taint, barrows exhibit less sexual and aggressive behavior,³ which makes them easier to handle and less likely to fight and injure each other each other in group pens.

Currently there are two methods of castrating male piglets: surgical castration and immunocastration.

Surgical castration

Surgical castration of piglets is carried out prior to weaning, most commonly within the first three days of life. Piglets may be restrained for castration in a variety of ways including suspension by the hind legs using a castration stand or another stockperson, placement in a V-trough, or being held with a hand or between an individual’s legs.⁴ After the piglet is secure, either two vertical cuts or one horizontal cut is made to the skin of the scrotum, and the testes are removed by cutting the spermatic cord with a scalpel or pulling until the cord tears.⁴ Castration is typically performed without anaesthesia or analgesia.^3,4,5,6

Pain

Surgical castration involves cutting and manipulating innervated tissues^18,19 and if anesthesia is not provided it will be painful^6,14,20 as reflected by elevated blood cortisol concentrations,^14,21,22high-pitched squealing,^22,23,24 and pain-indicative behaviors, such as trembling and lying alone.^25,26 Some behavioural indicators of pain may persist for up to five days.²³ The use of a local or general anesthetic is mandatory in Norway, Switzerland and the Netherlands for pigs entering their domestic markets.⁴ To avoid the pain associated with surgical castration other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Ireland, have elected to market nearly all of their male pigs intact.⁴

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