Comparative Analysis of Regional Nerve Block Techniques for Pain Management in Bovine Digit Surgery in Benue State

Digital surgical procedures in cattle, including digit amputation and claw horn resection, are commonly indicated for septic pedal arthritis and advanced digital dermatitis, yet standardized pain management protocols using regional nerve block techniques remain poorly evaluated in the North Central Nigerian context. This study comparatively evaluates the efficacy of intravenous regional analgesia, four-point ring block, and abaxial sesamoid nerve block for pain management in bovine digit surgery at veterinary facilities in Benue State between February 2022 and January 2024. Sixty dairy and draft cattle requiring digit surgery were randomized to one of three nerve block groups. Intraoperative analgesic effectiveness was assessed by behavioral pain scoring, heart rate variability, and surgeon-reported surgical condition quality. Recovery pain scores were evaluated at one, four, and twelve hours postoperatively using the Cow Pain Scale. All three techniques achieved adequate intraoperative analgesia in more than 80% of cases. The abaxial sesamoid nerve block provided the most consistent complete digital desensitization in 90% of cases, compared to 83% for intravenous regional analgesia and 78% for ring block. Recovery pain scores at one hour were significantly lower in the abaxial sesamoid group. Technique failure was associated with operator experience and anatomical variation in 17% of non-optimal outcomes. These comparative findings provide the first locally derived evidence base for nerve block selection in bovine digit surgery in Benue State and support the prioritization of abaxial sesamoid nerve block training in North Central Nigerian veterinary continuing education programs. Keywords: nerve block, bovine digit surgery, regional analgesia, Benue State, cattle pain management.