5 reasons why you should be using Tri-Solfen for lamb marking
Tri-Solfen was developed by Bayer, now sold by Dechra, to provide pain relief following mulesing, tail docking and castration on lambs and dehorning in calves. It is currently available in store, though we highly recommend ordering ahead. Here’s five reasons why you should be using it.
1. Gives lambs two types of pain relief: fast-acting and prolonged
Tri-solfen contains two proven local anaesthetics – one fast-acting, Lignocaine for immediate pain relief, and Bupivacaine for prolonged post-op pain relief.
This powerful combo results in much less stress and shock for the lambs; within a few seconds of the spray being applied, the lambs receive immediate pain relief, and continued relief for at least 24 hours.
Studies in Sydney showed that lambs treated with Tri-solfen showed significantly lower pain scores, and either absent or significantly diminished primary and secondary hyperalgesia.*
2. Wound healing is greatly improved.
Tri-solfen also improves wound healing through three main ways:
First, adrenaline is included to reduce wound haemorrhage, which helps to reduce the shock and stress of blood loss. It also helps prolong the anaesthetic effect.
Second, the antiseptic Cetrimide it contains helps cleanse the skin and wound and provides protection against bacteria and infection.
Third, the product’s gel base covers and adheres to the wound and helps act as a barrier to the external environment, which helps moisturise and further protects the wound against infection. Healing overall is greatly improved. Wounds are less likely to become infected, which, if untreated, can result in prolonged pain, stress and potential mortality.
3. Lambs recover quicker, mother up quicker, and can be weaned sooner.
Studies have shown that using Tri-solfen significantly reduces pain-related behaviour. Treated lambs are much calmer and less stressed, allowing them to get back to their ewes much more quickly.
The faster mothering up allows them to continue their growth as normal, and as a result, can be weaned sooner than those that aren’t treated. The faster recovery also gives producers peace of mind around weaning, as there will be fewer issues around the wound when handling lambs, such as re-opening scabs.
4. Calmer, less stressed animals.
This might be a bit of a sentimental benefit, but knowing your livestock are happier, healthier and better off does matter to most producers. Nobody enjoys watching an animal suffer needlessly. Tri-solfen tackles the legitimate animal welfare concerns around mulesing and castration head-on.
And besides, there is always more profit in less-stressed livestock.
5. Best industry practice
There have been a few different inventions to combat the controversial, gruesome nature of mulesing. Other options have included needleless injections like Skintraction and Anti-Flystrike Clips.
However, the effectiveness of these has been minimal, and mulesing remains the best option to prevent flystrike.
By using Tri-solfen, you can rest assured knowing you’re using the current best practice in the industry to not only prevent flystrike, but also minimise pain and improve healing at lamb marking – resulting in a more productive flock.
*From ‘Impact of topical anaesthesia on pain alleviation and wound healing in lambs after mulesing.’ – Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, May 2008
