The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has released
a new video promoting its policy on how to reduce pain for
cattle during a common surgical procedure—dehorning. Many breeds
of cattle have horns, which are often removed early in life to
protect other animals and farmers from injury. The AVMA policy
and this informational video offer guidance to help make this
procedure as comfortable as possible for animals. “The AVMA
provides up-to-date and accurate information about ensuring good
animal welfare. Videos like this one help us get that
information to more people,” explains Dr. Cia Johnson of the
AVMA Animal Welfare Division, who appears in the video. “America
has more than 96 million head of cattle, so—although not widely
known—this is a common procedure. The AVMA Animal Welfare
Committee uses the latest scientific research available and
practical experience to recommend policy for the Association.
Research has shown that local anesthesia can be used to reduce
the pain experienced by animals duri