EFFECTS OF MELOXICAM ON STRESS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN DAIRY COWS UNDERGOING HOOF TRIMMING

The objective of this study is to investigate meloxicam which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic of the effect on the antioxidant imbalance this is caused by stress and the oxidative stress may occur in dairy cows undergoing hoof trimming (HT). This research was carried out on 14 female Simmental dairy cows 3 aged with a mean body weight of 450 50 kg that in early lactation period, showing symptoms lameness due to hoof disorder on the commercial dairy farm. Each group had 7 cows: group I (analgesia) and group II (non-analgesia) as were randomly divided into two groups. Group, I (n=7) was administered intravenously (IV) meloxicam at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg live weight before 30 min HT. Group II (n = 7) was administered saline at the same dose before 30 min the procedure was started. During HT process-30 (30 min before hoof trimming), 15 and 30 mins the heart and respiratory rate was measured. Blood samples were taken in the same time period Total oxidant capacity (TOC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH) enzyme activity, the level of cortisol and glucose level was measured in the serum. There were no significant changes in heart and respiratory rate during HT (p>0.05). Cortisol and glucose levels were significantly lower in the analgesia group than in the non analgesic group (p<0.05). TOC measurements at all times in analgesia group (p<0.001). TAC level did not change in both groups. GSH level higher at all times in the analgesia group than non-analgesia. Results showed prevented the oxidative stress and support the antioxidant system of meloxicam. The results suggest that analgesia should be used in the process of HT for animal welfare.