Vet charges for castrations of cattle

[multi power]

Good question. Anyone know the answer? He's done it (hot irons method) for about 40yrs without any problems. They rarely bat an eylid as he's very good with cattle. IMO much better than 'twist and pull' method some vets use.

How on earth do you castrate with hot irons ?

 

[Farmer 83563]

How on earth do you castrate with hot irons ?

The orignal old fashioned way! ... clean the bag, small incision, testicle out, scissor clamp, hot iron to cut the testicle off and cauterise the cords. Do them as young as possible and use metacam, green oil gel and local anaesthetic.

 

[Farmer 83563]

Castration Under the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, as amended, it is an offence to castrate calves which have reached two months of age without the use of an anaesthetic.
Furthermore, the use of a rubber ring, or other device, to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum, is only permitted without an anaesthetic if the device is applied during the first week of life.
Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, as amended, only a veterinary surgeon may castrate a calf which has reached the age of two months.

116 Stock-keepers should consider carefully whether castration is necessary.
If it is necessary, there are three methods which can be used to castrate calves:
• a rubber ring or other device, which can only be used in the first seven days of life, by a trained and competent stock-keeper, to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum;
• bloodless castration, by a trained and competent stock-keeper, by crushing the spermatic cords of calves less than 2 months old, with a burdizzo;
• castration by a veterinary surgeon, using an anaesthetic.

Thank you very much, that's very helpful