The objective of this project was to identify which analgesics will provide\u00a0optimal pain relief to piglets; at what age castration should be performed\u00a0to minimize stress and production losses in piglets; determine if the timing\u00a0of drug administration affects piglets\u2019 pain responses following castration\u00a0and whether provision of oral sucrose prior to an analgesic can provide\u00a0measureable benefits to pigs during the initial pain of castration. The first\u00a0study evaluated the effectiveness of three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory\u00a0drugs (NSAIDS) on post-castration pain. The second\u00a0 compared the influence\u00a0of age at castration (3 days vs 10 days) on piglet welfare. Initial behavioural\u00a0results from these two experiments found no significant differences in chute\u00a0navigation times among the treatments studied. In study 2, the expected\u00a0differences between sham handled and castrated piglets were not found,\u00a0and no benefits of drug treatment were observed even though drugs were\u00a0administered 15 minutes prior to testing.<\/p>\n