Peter Beard 

Territory Manager – Farm Animals (WA & NT) 

Dechra Veterinary Products 

In the last NTCA newsletter, we discussed how best practice guidelines recommend the provision of acute AND chronic pain relief (i.e. multi-modal programs) during disbudding, dehorning and castration.^1,2 Ideally, this should involve the administration of an anaesthetic to manage acute pain and an analgesic to manage chronic pain. 

In most situations, best practice pain relief during and after surgical procedures in calves will involve the concurrent use of Tri-Solfen plus an analgesic (e.g. Meloxicam paste or Meloxicam Injectable). 

Tri-Solfen is the first choice for acute pain relief and wound care following surgical procedures in calves. This easy-to-apply, spray-on gel formulation provides immediate and lasting pain relief, reduces bleeding, protects against infection and facilitates wound healing. 

Tri-Solfen contains four active ingredients: 

• Lignocaine and bupivacaine, two local anaesthetics commonly used to provide pain relief in humans. Lignocaine provides immediate (within 60 seconds) pain relief on surgical wounds. Bupivacaine provides longer-acting (up to 24 hours) pain relief on surgical wounds. Lignocaine and bupivacaine block the nerve signals from damaged tissue that are responsible for the sensation of pain, reducing the animal’s pain response. 

• Adrenaline, which reduces bleeding and slows the ‘inflammatory cascade’.³ Adrenaline constricts blood vessels that have been cut during surgery, reducing blood loss and the risks associated with increased stress and shock to the animal. Reducing blood flow to surgical wounds means nerve endings are not exposed to inflammatory compounds that would normally sensitise them. Adrenaline also reduces the rate of systemic absorption of lignocaine and bupivacaine, prolonging their anaesthetic effect.³ 

• Cetrimide, an antiseptic and surfactant that helps to start the healing process and protect against infection.  

Tri-Solfen is applied using a special spray applicator that turns the liquid formulation into a foaming gel that adheres to the wound, which helps to seal and protect the wound for improved wound healing. 

Tri-Solfen is ideal for use in combination with NSAID treatments (e.g. Meloxicam Injectables/Meloxicam paste) to provide multi-modal relief from both acute and chronic pain. Both products are available from rural suppliers and veterinarians. 

Dechra will be sponsoring and attending the upcoming NTCA Conference in Darwin so be sure to visit us for a yarn on everything TriSolfen and Gold Standard pain relief. Looking forward to seeing you all there! 

For more information about how Tri-Solfen helps to deliver Gold Standard pain relief during surgical procedures, please contact your Dechra territory manager, rural reseller or veterinarian. 

Candice Cottrell Territory Sales Manager – Farm Animal (Qld) Dechra Veterinary Products 0456 881 335

Peter Beard Territory Sales Manager – Farm Animal (WA & NT) Dechra Veterinary Products 0456 866 174

References: 1. Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines (2014). 2. Meat & Livestock Australia (2020). Fact sheet – Pain mitigation in sheep and cattle. 3. Lomax, S. et al. (2013). Duration of action of a topical anaesthetic formulation for pain management of mulesing in sheep. Aust. Vet. J. 91:160-167. 

®Tri-Solfen is a registered trademark of Animal Ethics Pty Ltd. ®Registered trademarks. ©Dechra Veterinary Products (Australia) Pty Ltd, 2024. DEC25018.