Effect of a single meloxicam administration on newborn Holstein–Friesian dystocia calves: Field results from the first 10 days of life

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Calves have increased morbidity and mortality rates after dystocia. One cause is pain during birth, which reduces their colostrum intake. The administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may break this causality. This study aimed to determine the consequences of a single administration of the NSAID meloxicam to dystocia calves after birth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty Holstein–Friesian calves born with dystocia from four dairy cattle farms were included in this study. The animals were randomized into two groups. The animals in Group I (n=25, treatment group) received subcutaneous 0.5 mg meloxicam/kg body weight 2-8 h after birth. The animals in Group II (n=25, control group) received a control substance (Amynin(®), bovine infusion solution, Merial) with the same volume. The newborn calves were clinically examined on the 1(st) and 10(th) days of life. The information regarding the days in between was gathered by questioning the farmer. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (p=0.04) only in calves with thin, mushy fecal consistency on the 10(th) day in the treatment group compared with the control group. Moreover, meloxicam had no effect on dystocia calves. CONCLUSION: Since NSAID administration did not produce a significant clinical effect, its necessity is questionable. Further studies should examine how modifying its application time would have an effect. The primary indicators of well-being, such as pain indicators in the blood, were not measured; however, these should be considered in subsequent studies.