[Castration of male lambs and calves: explanations and comments of art. 65 TSchV].

Since September 1, 2001, castration of male calves and small ruminants in Switzerland is not allowed without anesthesia. The use of rubber rings for that purpose is forbidden. This change of the legislation has been claimed by the Swiss consumers and is aimed to increase the animal welfare. The current paper provides a review of the different techniques of anesthesia and castration that may be advocated in male ruminants. Sedation with xylazine and injection of lidocaine in the area of the base of the scrotum, followed by closed castration with the Burdizzo represents a safe technique for painfree castration of calves and lambs.