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.
Australia’s largest privately owned cattle producer Consolidated Pastoral Company is undertaking a new trial in husbandry pain relief.
The beef business is utilising an off-the-shelf anaesthetic spray, Tri-Solfen, during branding on their Allawah property in central Queensland and Auvergne Station in the Northern Territory.
The livestock pain relief product, Tri-Solfen, has been used by Australian sheep producers since it’s official registration in 2008, while the spray-on anaesthetic and antiseptic product was only approved for use in cattle by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine Authority during December last year.
CPC’s chief executive officer Troy Setter said the cattle company has always focused on high standards of animal and staff welfare.
He said the decision to trial Tri-Solfen wasn’t driven by consumer pressure, but a need to continue maximising animal welfare and weight gains in young cattle.
CPC’s Allawah stud manager Jason Purcell has been with the company for 17 years and said using the product hadn’t slowed down this year’s branding process.
He added his initial observations of the trial were calves appearing calmer after husbandry procedures, reduced bleeding, and a faster mothering up between cows and calves after branding.
“As a cattle company we always focus on reducing any stress to our cattle during all animal husbandry procedures at branding time,” Mr Purcell said.
“My initial observations are the product will potentially help us achieve optimum outcomes for our cattle.
“At this point in time it’s shaping up to be an excellent product for our cattle company to be utilizing.”
Allawah is considered Consolidated Pastoral Company’s elite stud breeding property, located between the Queensland towns of Biloela and Banana, and runs CPC’s stud Brahman breeding herd, plus a few other smaller stud herds that are used in composite breeding programs.
“We feel the time is right to trial the Tri-Solfen pain relief product and it’s working well for us here at Allawah so far,” Mr Purcell said.
The pain relief trial comes after new animal welfare codes of practice were released 18 months ago.
“The new welfare codes require us to have some product on-site if for example we are doing any procedures such as reducing the size of an old cow’s horn that is creating some husbandry or health issues for the animal,” CPC’s Troy Setter said.
“We’ll do a cost benefit analysis on this trial at year end, but it won’t just be an economic cost benefit. FULL ARTICLE
