Cautery disbudding in calves: A comparative assessment of topical wound treatments

Background: Cautery disbudding is routinely performed on dairy calves to prevent horn growth but this creates open wounds that require effective management. Topical antibiotic products are commonly used, yet evidence supporting their efficacy is limited. Non-antibiotic alternatives may promote healing while supporting antimicrobial stewardship. Aim: To compare wound healing outcomes following cautery disbudding in calves treated with either a non-antibiotic aluminum aerosol bandage, an antibiotic spray, both, or no topical treatment. Methods: In this randomized multicenter study, 480 calves aged 7-35 days were assigned to one of four treatment groups: (A) antibiotic spray (10% oxytetracycline) plus an aluminum aerosol bandage, (B) antibiotic spray (10% oxytetracycline) only, (C) aluminum aerosol bandage only, or (D) no topical treatment. All calves received sedation, local anesthesia, and analgesia. Wound healing was monitored via wound diameters (WD; mm) and lesion score (LS; scale 0-3) every 7 days from Day 0 (D0) to Day 35 (D35) post-disbudding. Results: From D0 to D21, group differences in WD and LS were inconsistent and mostly non-significant. However, by D28 to D35, calves in Group C (aluminum aerosol bandage only) showed significantly improved healing. At D35, mean WD (mean ± SD) in Group C was 2.5 ± 3.25 mm versus 4.3 ± 4.27 (Group A, p=0.0010), 5.3 ± 4.49 (Group B, p0.0001), and 4.5 ± 4.48 (Group D p=0.0003). Furthermore, at D35, the overall mean LS score in Group C was lower and showed improvement versus Group A (p=0.0038), Group B (p<0.0001), and Group D (p=0.0006). Conclusion: Topical application of an aluminum aerosol bandage significantly reduced wound size and improved lesion scores in calves by D28 and D35 post-disbudding. These results suggest that a non-antibiotic aluminum topical spray offers an effective, welfare-supporting alternative to antibiotic wound treatments.