Local and Regional Anesthesia in Cattle

Although general anesthesia commonly is used in cattle, there are some risks with its use. Local or regional anesthesia is safe and effective and is still the most desirable procedure in many situations. Many surgical procedures can be performed safely and humanely in cattle by using a combination of physical restraint, mild sedation, and local or regional anesthesia. Local anesthetic techniques are usually simple, inexpensive, and provide a reversible loss of sensation to a relatively well-defined area of the body.