Purpose
This survey aims to understand current prescribing practices for pain relief in sheep, particularly for castration and tail docking, and to gather feedback on product suitability, safety, and decision-making pressures.

Background
The Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians Branch of the NZVA is seeking feedback from members on current pain relief prescribing practices for lambs, particularly for castration and tail docking.

Pain relief for these procedures is an area of increasing focus from industry bodies, processors, animal welfare groups, and the public. At the same time, veterinarians have professional obligations to consider the safety, efficacy, and compliance aspects of any medication before prescribing it. In some cases, this professional judgement may lead to a decision that a product is unsuitable for a particular situation.

There is also active discussion at both national and international levels about standards and expectations for pain relief use in sheep, including the role of veterinarians in assessing suitability rather than simply availability. To ensure that any NZVA position or guidance reflects the reality of on-farm practice, it is essential to have current, representative data from veterinarians working with sheep.

Aims of this survey
This survey aims to:
  • understand current prescribing patterns for pain relief in lambs undergoing castration and tail docking
  • identify the products most commonly used, preferred methods, and timing of administration
  • capture experiences with training, client communication, and adverse events
  • gauge members’ views on the suitability and safety of currently available products
  • identify research gaps and priorities for the future.
How your responses will be used
Survey responses will be collated and analysed by the NZVA Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians Committee. Findings will inform the NZVA’s policy discussions, position statements, and advocacy with industry and regulators. Individual responses will remain confidential, and results will only be reported in aggregated form.

Estimated time to complete: 10–12 minutes

Thank you for taking the time to contribute your expertise—your input is essential to ensuring NZVA positions are evidence-based, practical, and supportive of veterinarians in the field.
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 50% of survey complete.

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