Dehorning & Horn Injury Repair

Safe, Humane Horn Management for Healthier Herds

Horns can pose a risk to both animals and handlers—leading to injuries, damage to facilities, and complications during transport or restraint. At Whittington Veterinary Clinic, we provide professional dehorning and horn injury repair services for cattle, goats, and sheep, using humane techniques focused on safety, comfort, and long-term welfare.

Why Dehorning May Be Necessary

While some animals are naturally polled (born without horns), others develop horns that can lead to:

  • Injuries to herd mates or handlers
  • Aggressive behavior or dominance issues
  • Entanglement in fencing or equipment
  • Horn damage from fighting or trauma
  • Difficulty in confinement, milking parlors, or show settings

Dehorning helps reduce the risk of injury, improve handling safety, and protect animal welfare.

When Should Dehorning Be Done?

The earlier, the better. Dehorning is less stressful and has fewer complications when done at a young age.

  • Disbudding (removal of horn buds) is ideal within the first 2–8 weeks of life
  • Surgical dehorning or saw removal may be necessary in older animals with established horns
  • Sedation, local anesthesia, and pain management are always used in mature animals

Our Dehorning Methods May Include:

  • Thermal disbudding (hot iron method) in young calves or kids
  • Scoop or tube dehorners for small horns in juveniles
  • Saw or wire dehorning for older animals with developed horns
  • Pain relief and local blocks for all surgical procedures
  • Fly repellents and antibiotics during healing in warm months or high-risk environments

Horn Injury Repair

Trauma to the horn can result in:

  • Cracks, fractures, or bleeding
  • Loose or broken horn cores
  • Exposed sinuses or infection
  • Painful swellings or abscesses at the horn base

Prompt treatment is essential to prevent serious complications. Our team can:

  • Control bleeding and clean the wound
  • Remove damaged horn tissue or full horn if necessary
  • Treat secondary infections
  • Provide protective bandaging or cauterization
  • Monitor for sinus involvement or flystrike

Post-Procedure Aftercare

  • Pain management and anti-inflammatories
  • Topical or systemic antibiotics
  • Fly control and wound monitoring
  • Quiet housing to prevent re-injury
  • Follow-up visits for healing assessment if needed

Why Professional Dehorning Matters

Attempting to dehorn or treat horn injuries without veterinary guidance can lead to:

  • Severe pain and bleeding
  • Infection of exposed sinuses
  • Incomplete removal and horn regrowth
  • Behavioral issues from poorly managed trauma
  • Legal or welfare concerns depending on local regulations

Our goal is to ensure safe, low-stress procedures with the best outcome for your animals.

Need Horn Care for Your Herd?

Whether it’s early disbudding, full dehorning, or treating a horn injury, our team is here to help. Please call us at (337) 893-8522 to schedule an on-farm visit or in-clinic consultation.