Which factors can influence the perception of pain by veterinarians and animal scientists from Brazil

Abstract Society and animal professionals are increasingly concerned about the pain management during routine husbandry procedures in farm animals. In this paper, we aim to identify the factors that affect Brazilian veterinarians’ and animal scientists’ perceptions about the level of pain cattle experience during castration and horn removal. An online survey was conducted with these professionals, resulting in a sample size of 147 participants. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-squares tests, Fisher exact tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests. The results of descriptive statistics showed that the most frequently, the most and the least painful technique quoted, for castration, was scalpel, burdizzo, and immunocastration, respectively; and for horn removal, hot iron (for newborn and suckled calves) and saw/wires (for adult cattle), knife, and caustic paste, respectively. Women assessed cattle pain higher than men professionals for castration in newborn calves. Higher mean scores for the pain perception were associated to painful indicators: heart and/or respiration rate during castration in newborn and suckled calves; and defensive movements during horn removal in adult cattle. Those respondents who were more likely to perceived high level of pain also scored higher pain for i. newborn calves when toxic agent or immunocastration were used to castrate; ii. suckled calves dehorned/disbudded with chemical methods or dehorners; and iii. all cattle ages when surgical methods or burdizzo were used for castration and amputation techniques or hot iron, for horn removal. Professionals that perceived higher level of pain in both painful procedures agreed more with the statements “Farm animals are not as sensitive to pain as pets” and “If there are no defensive movements, there is no need for pain mitigation use” than those that perceived lower level of pain. The pain estimation is subjective, but our results illustrate the importance of the management and individual/professional aspects on pain perception. Finally, our study highlights that improvement in pain perception by veterinary and animal scientists regarding castration and horn removal in cattle is required.