Technical Note: A novel needle-free method of lidocaine administration during standing castration of Holstein bulls

The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes castration to be important for both human and animal safety. Lidocaine delivered through-the-needle has been shown to be effective at reducing cortisol response to castration, but this method has drawbacks for both animals and caretakers. As such, a study was conducted to examine the potential benefits of lidocaine delivery using a pneumatic needle-free device immediately before standing bovine castration. Twelve Holstein bulls weighing 400.7 kg ± 39.5 kg (mean ± SD) were enrolled. Bulls were allocated to receive a local anesthetic block of 2% lidocaine for surgical castration by traditional needle injection or by needle-free injection. Outcomes were collected out to 48 h post castration. Outcome variables included plasma cortisol concentrations, visual analog scale scores for pain, medial canthus temperatures as measured using infrared thermography, pressure mat changes, and chute defense scores. A time effect was observed for cortisol, visual analog scale scores, infrared thermography temperatures, and some pressure mat outcomes. No statistically significant differences between lidocaine delivery methods were observed, but further research is needed to build upon this small data set.