The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of
xylazine on the stress and
pain response of lame cows undergoing claw treatment in lateral recumbency (LR). Twenty-four lame, German Holstein-Friesian cows were included in a prospective, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical case study. Cows were randomly allocated to two groups (n=12) and either treated with
xylazine (0.05 mg/kg BW, i.m.) or an equal volume of saline (controls) 15 min before placing them in LR. Before surgical treatment, each cow received retrograde intravenous local anaesthesia (LA). Over a period of 6h, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), plasma concentrations of
cortisol,
glucose,
lactate and non-
esterified fatty acids (
NEFA) were determined at preset time intervals and the animals' behaviour was recorded via video recording and pedometer. All
xylazine-treated cows showed signs of mild sedation, a reduced
pain response on insertion of the needle for LA, reduced ear flicking during surgery, reduced lameness score and longer standing periods as well as improved appetite in the first hour postoperatively. Mean HR and RR, as well as plasma concentrations of
NEFA were significantly reduced after
xylazine treatment.
Cortisol concentrations were significantly lower in
xylazine-treated cows after being placed in LR but were similar to controls during surgery. The use of a low dose of
xylazine in the
analgesic protocol for the treatment of lame cows in LR alleviates stress and potentiates the
analgesic effects of LA.