Would be interested to hear from anyone who might have had experience using elastrator rings to de-horn Dexters. I'd like to know how susseccfeul it was, and at what age (or horn length) it would be best to do it at.
Thanks
Phil
De-horning with elastrators
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Duncan MacIntyre
- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:38 am
- Location: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK
TOTALLY INAPROPRIATE METHOD. dO NOT DO THIS.
Quite apart from the fact that the ring will only kill off the horn beyond the ring, and the rest will grow into an ugly stump, this causes a long period of suffering and is about the most disgraceful way of doing the job.
Duncan MacIntyre, BVMS MRCVS
Quite apart from the fact that the ring will only kill off the horn beyond the ring, and the rest will grow into an ugly stump, this causes a long period of suffering and is about the most disgraceful way of doing the job.
Duncan MacIntyre, BVMS MRCVS
Duncan MacIntyre
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
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philthomas
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2004 11:19 am
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Duncan MacIntyre
- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:38 am
- Location: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK
As small calves they can be done with a hot disbudding iron, older calves or stirks may be done with saw or guillotine. Some use cutting wire, but I honestly think it is difficult to get it close enough to the head and regrowth is more likely. If you are a beginner you need proper hands on practical training, we can't really manage that on a discussion board. Ask your own vet for advice, he/she may be able to train you. I used to run regular training for such things as dehorning, castrating, calving lambing feet paring etc under the ATB but have not done so for some time.Training is needed not only for the dehorning technique but for the administration of the local anaesthetic which is also essential, and a legal requirement.
You may also hear of caustic paste being used but I find it impossible to see how it can be used humanely, quite apart from the inconsistent results and risk of burning others.
I have come to the coclusion from my own experience with Dexters that they are actually more difficult to dehorn nicely than most cattle. A good border of skin needs removed from the base of the horn or regrowth will occur. Because my calves are often out in summer when they are the size to use a disbudder, and then there is risk of fly strike, I usually do mine as stirks when they come in in Autumn using plenty of local anaesthetic and a saw.
Duncan
You may also hear of caustic paste being used but I find it impossible to see how it can be used humanely, quite apart from the inconsistent results and risk of burning others.
I have come to the coclusion from my own experience with Dexters that they are actually more difficult to dehorn nicely than most cattle. A good border of skin needs removed from the base of the horn or regrowth will occur. Because my calves are often out in summer when they are the size to use a disbudder, and then there is risk of fly strike, I usually do mine as stirks when they come in in Autumn using plenty of local anaesthetic and a saw.
Duncan
Duncan MacIntyre
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute