Australian veterinary journal
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To investigate the effect of topical anaesthesia on 'mothering up' of lambs after mulesing and marking, and for pain alleviation over a 24-h period. ⋯ Significant pain alleviation and improved recovery can be achieved in lambs for at least 24 h after mulesing through the use of topical anaesthesia. It is suggested that the haemostatic action of adrenalin, together with inhibition of the inflammatory cascade and the barrier effect of the gel within the product, may explain the prolonged anaesthesia up to 24 h observed in the present study. These results suggest that topical anaesthesia has the capacity to dramatically improve the welfare of lambs undergoing mulesing.