Library & Resources

Library & Resources

News

  • Biogas Code of Practice Consultation Workshops

    APL has developed a risk based Code of Practice for On-farm Biogas Production and Use (Piggeries) in response to growing interest in Biogas technology from Australian pig producers.  APL, through a previous project identified that there was a lot of …

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  • 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Consultation

    The APL 2015–2020 Strategic Plan consultation process continues with all meetings across the country now completed. To all of those producers who attended meetings, APL thanks you for your contributions so far. APL would like to offer all producers that have …

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  • Corrective Statement

    Australian Pork Limited (APL) issued Media Releases on 11 April and 19 December 2012 concerning the progress of the Australian pork industry’s initiative to move away from the use of sow stalls by 2017. APL made statements in those Releases …

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  • Notice of AGM and Annual Conference

    The APL Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at the Marriott Hotel, cnr Exhibition and Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne on Thursday 21 November 2012. The Annual Conference will commence at 9.00am and the AGM will commence at 1.00pm. For …

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Complete Research Reports

Item Details

Assessment of Pain Induced by Tail Docking in Piglets and Strategies to Reduce this Pain

45 Pages
1 Jun 0013
Author(s): Dr Rebecca Morrison, Prof Craig Johnson, Nikki Kells, Prof Paul Hemsworth

The aim of this project was to assess the pain caused by tail docking using either clippers or cauterisation by measuring the neurophysiological, physiological (stress) and behavioural responses of the animal, and investigate strategies to reduce the pain. It was found that the use of cauterisation was less aversive than clippers, with further work needed to assess the long-term welfare implications. Topical anaesthetic cream and injectable meloxicam administered prior to tail docking appeared to reduce pain, however further research to investigate physiological and behavioural responses, and the commercial-viability and practicality of using these pain relief medications are needed.

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