It is common practice to castrate piglets shortly after birth. The procedure is routinely done without any pain management treatments as there are no FDA approved drugs to control pain in pigs.
Preliminary research from the College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, showed the off-label use of intranasal flunixin meglumine mitigated pain post-castration as shown by decreased cortisol levels.
Source: National Hog Farmer, January/February 2023. Link.
INSIGHTS: The preliminary results of this experimental research are promising as the first week post-farrowing is a challenging time for piglets and swine producers.