[The effect of a pain medication in bloodless castration of male calves on the concentrated feed intake, weight gain and serum cortisol level].

Since September 2001, castration of male calves in Switzerland is not allowed without anesthesia. The use of rubber rings for this purpose is forbidden. It was the goal of this study to describe the effect of a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, administered additionally to sedation and local anesthesia, in clamp-castrated (Burdizzo) calves of 110 to 160 kg of body weight. Plasma fibrinogen concentration, white blood cell count, serum cortisol concentration, scrotal swelling, concentrate intake and weight gain were evaluated. A positive effect after administration of a NSAID was obvious for the serum cortisol concentration, the concentrate intake within the first 3 days after castration and scrotal swelling.