Best practice pain relief programs for
lambs during ring application

Best practice guidelines recommend the provision of both acute and chronic pain relief (i.e. multi-modal programs) during animal husbandry procedures.1 For tail docking and castration using rubber rings, this should involve the administration of a local anaesthetic (e.g. NumOcaine®) to manage short-term acute pain and an analgesic (e.g. a buccal or injectable meloxicam formulation) to manage longer-term chronic pain. These products are readily available from rural suppliers and veterinarians.

ACUTE PAIN RELIEF

Numnuts®
(ring docking and/or ring castration)

 
CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF

Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs
anti-inflammatory drugs
(e.g. meloxicam)

Ring docking and castration hurts!

Contrary to common perception, the application of rubber rings for tail docking and/or castration causes intense acute pain due to the restriction of blood supply (ischemia). Peak pain levels typically occur about 15 to 45 minutes after ring application. During this time, lambs display a range of pain-related behaviours, such as kicking, foot stamping, hunching, hopping, lying down and rolling.2 After 60 minutes, the rubber ring has largely disabled the nerve function and the level of acute pain decreases and the slower, chronic pain associated with injury and healing begins.2

All-in-one ring application and
targeted pain relief

Numnuts® is the world’s first all-in-one rubber ring applicator and targeted pain relief delivery mechanism for lambs (2–10 weeks old). This patented device applies a standard Elastrator® rubber ring and then safely injects a calibrated dose of NumOcaine® (lignocaine). Lignocaine is a rapid-acting local anaesthetic that numbs the site within 60 seconds and blocks acute pain for up to 60 minutes.

Extensively tested in Australia

The Numnuts® system has been extensively evaluated for use in Australia using funding from Meat & Livestock Australia and  Australian Wool Innovation. Trials involving more than 15,000 lambs have confirmed the administration of NumOcaine® using the Numnuts® device significantly reduces acute pain caused by tail docking and/or castration using rubber rings.2,3 Numnuts®, NumOcaine® and replacement parts can be purchased from your rural supplier or veterinarian without a prescription.

Application guidelines

  • Maintain cleanliness at all times
  • Keep needles sharp and clean
  • Replace needles regularly
  • Use the dedicated Numnuts® needles to ensure correct injection depth and operator safety
  • Administer as a sub-cutaneous injection (i.e. under the skin) to the scrotal neck or tail of the animal
  • As far as possible, do not administer during wet weather or under dusty conditions
  • Clean the Numnuts® device at the end of each day

Always read and follow the label directions.

Download resources