Data from: Pilot testing an ethanol cornual nerve block as a long-term analgesic for calf disbudding
Data files
Jan 09, 2024 version files 34.84 KB
-
Ethanol_Block_Cleaned_Data_231010.xlsx
31.85 KB
-
README.md
2.99 KB
Jan 08, 2024 version files 35.13 KB
Abstract
Disbudding prevents horn growth in calves through thermal or chemical cauterization and causes damage that is painful for weeks following the procedure. Current pain management strategies are only effective from 1 to 2 h (local anesthetic) to 1–3 d (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). A potential practical solution for addressing longer-term pain may be to administer ethanol as a cornual nerve block. When administered at a high concentration, ethanol damages the functionality of peripheral nerves, promoting localized long-lasting analgesia. It is also thought to be painful, thus ethanol may be combined with lidocaine, as a mixed solution or administered beforehand. We tested the use of an ethanol cornual nerve block for anesthesia around the horn bud in 2 pilot studies. We used different concentrations and amounts of ethanol (100 and 70%) in combination with different ratios of lidocaine in our attempt to identify an effective block. In pilot 1, 14 non-disbudded calves were administered 2–4 mL of 100% ethanol below the boney ridge on each side of the head to block the cornual nerve at 3–10 d of age (n = 28 horn buds) and observed for 5 wk. The duration of loss of sensation was evaluated using pinprick tests 10 min, 1, 3, and 7 d after the block, and then weekly thereafter until 35 d or full sensation had returned. Pinprick tests consisted of lightly pressing a needle in 10 evenly spaced locations around the base of the horn bud (0 responses = no sensation, 1–5 responses = partial sensation, 6–10 responses = full sensation). Pilot 2 looked at the 24 h after the injection and consisted of 9 non-disbudded calves (5 mL of 2:1, 70% ethanol and 2% lidocaine/horn bud) and 6 disbudded individuals (5 mL of 100% ethanol, 70% ethanol, or 2% lidocaine per horn bud). All treatments were administered at the calf level. Anesthesia was checked 10 min after the injection and 4 or 16 h later. In pilot 1, on the day of the ethanol injection (0-d), there was no sensation in 85% of horn buds. Sensation began to return as early as 1 d after blocking, with only 50, 21, and 3% of horn buds having no sensation at 1, 7, and 35 d, respectively. Partial sensation was present in 25, 17, and 10% of horn buds at these time points. In pilot 2, 27.8% of horn buds in the non-disbudded group had no sensation while 33.3% had partial sensation 10 min after the injection. In the disbudded calves 10 min after the injection, 100% of horn buds from the 100% ethanol group had partial sensation and 100% of horn buds administered 70% ethanol had full sensation. Four or 16 h later, 100% of horn buds had full sensation. Together, in these pilot studies, ethanol provided inconsistent anesthesia when used for a cornual nerve block.
README: Data from: Pilot testing an ethanol cornual nerve block as a long-term analgesic for calf disbudding
output:
pdf_document: default
html_document: default
These materials provide additional information and context, used in this experiment, and are referenced in the corresponding publication. We describe the efficacy of an ethanol block for providing long-lasting anesthesia around the horn bud in 2 pilot studies. The first spans 5 wk and the second looks at the 24 h around the injection. In the first pilot, 14 non-disbudded female calves (n=28 horn buds) were administered 2-4 ml of 100% ethanol on each side of the head to block the cornual nerve at 3-10 d of age. The duration of loss of sensation was evaluated using pinprick tests 10 min, 1, 3, and 7 d after the block, and then weekly thereafter until 35 d or full sensation had returned. One group (number 4), received lidocaine before their ethanol injection, these calves were excluded from the 10 min summary reported in the publication. The second pilot consisted of 9 non-disbudded female calves (5 mL 70% ethanol and 2% lidocaine/horn bud; n=18 horn buds) and 6 disbudded individuals (5 ml/horn bud of either 2% lidocaine, 70% or 100% ethanol only; n=4 horn buds each). Calves in both pilots were provided 1 mg/kg of meloxicam before injections. Anesthesia was checked 10 min after the injection and 4 or 16 h later. Pinprick tests consisted of lightly pressing a needle in 10 evenly spaced locations around the base of the horn bud (0 responses=no sensation, 1-5 responses=partial sensation, 6-10 responses=full sensation).
Description of the data and file structure
Supplemental Figures.pdf; This file presents 2 supplemental figures that depict an example of an adverse effect (swelling) observed in the study when injecting calves with an ethanol cornual nerve block and a comparison of no injection site swelling.
Supplemental Figure S1. Examples of injection site swelling that occurred after administration of an ethanol cornual nerve block.
Supplemental Figure S2. An example of a calf where no injection has been given and no swelling is present.Ethanol Block_Cleaned Data 231010.xlsx; This file presents data from pilot study 1 and 2 evaluating the use of ethanol as a cornual nerve block. Calf, breed, and age at the time of injection are included. Date of the pin prick test and the total behavioral responses to show the level of anesthesia are presented. Units for each measure are included as headings in the Excel file. These behavioral responses were used to create the descriptive statistics presented in the paper. The symbol “.” is used to indicate when a pinprick is missing from pilot 1 or was not conducted in pilot 2, as lidocaine would no longer be in effect for that group. In pilot 1 only, full sensation (10 responses) was assumed once at least 1 previous test had 10 responses, this is depicted by “Assumed” appearing in the approach column and the date column indicating “N/A”. In pilot 1, if data were excluded from the figure and descriptive results presented in the publication, it is marked with “Yes” in the “Excluded?” column.
Methods
The methods are described in the associated research publication.
Usage notes
Please see the README associated with these data.