Surgical dehorning is a common procedure in the dairy and beef industries, performed to remove the horns of adult animals, primarily due to aggressive or dominant behavior. However, when carried out incorrectly—without proper technique, ethical considerations, or professional supervision—it can lead to severe pain, impaired healing, and deterioration of the animal’s health. This study reports a case of emergency unilateral dehorning in a Nellore cattle, performed following an improper intervention by an unqualified individual lacking legal autonomy. Surgery was required to excise necrotic tissue and repair the lesion, with appropriate use of analgesia, aseptic technique, and suturing. This case highlights the importance of professional training and ethical management to ensure animal welfare and promote successful recovery.
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Pessoa et al. (2025) studied this question.
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