Animal Health & Welfare

This is a procedure better suited to older calves (up to 8 weeks of age) with developing horns and involves tools of various sizes that scoop or remove the horn from below its base and assist in closing blood vessels to reduce bleeding from the wound.

Method

• Apply an anaesthetic and allow adequate time for it to act
• Select the correct size tube to fit over the horn bud and cover around 1/8 inch of skin around the horn tissue
• Place the cutting edge straight down over the horn
• Push and twist until the skin has been cut through
• Use the cutting edge of the tube to cut under the horn button area and remove it

Advantages

• Quick and efficient technique

Precautions

• Bleeding may occur which will require the application of an antiseptic to prevent infection