Disbudding calves is a common husbandry practice, with approximately 94% of US dairy farms employing the procedure. Currently, local anesthesia is achieved by the traditional cornual nerve block (COR). However, the rostromedial (RM) and the rostromedial and caudomedial (RMCM) infiltration blocks, have recently been described in the literature. Our objective is to compare these methods regarding onset and effectiveness of desensitization.

We propose a randomized clinical trial to compare time to complete desensitization between COR, RM, and RMCM. Disbudding will be performed with a cordless gas dehorner. Local anesthesia, regardless of technique, will be performed by administering 5 mL of 2% lidocaine to each side. An ethogram will be used to assess behavioral pain. An algometer will be utilized to assess pain response prior to and after the block. Blood samples will be collected to assess serum cortisol concentrations as an indicator of acute stress responses.