The various methods for eliminating pain during piglet castration have in common that they are all fraught with problems. In practice, it is important to find a surgical method that combines the following in the best possible way:

• Significant improvement in the animal welfare situation
• Can be carried out with little equipment and financial effort
• Can be carried out by trained animal owners
• Acceptance among veterinarians, animal owners and consumers
• Application verifiable
• Drug safety

The results described for the first time from studies of surgical piglet castration by combining cryotreatment and a local anesthetic in spray form (Sanftkast I) are seen as a contribution to the possible achievement of these goals. However, in order to better confirm the results and for comparison studies with other methods of eliminating pain, surveys with larger numbers of animals per test group are necessary.

As part of another project (Sanftkast II) for surgical piglet castration, the method is to be adapted, whereby the spermatic cord is also anesthetized.

Information about castration of piglets is also available under the Piglet Castration