You may not know the name, but you probably should – Dr. Meredith Sheil is an animal ethics giant – a Paediatrician, Researcher, Founding Director of Medical Ethics and Co-Owner of “Yerilla” superfine Merino.
Dr. Sheil developed Tri-Solfen in 2004, for treating lambs after mulesing, the controversial operation to reduce fly strike in sheep by cutting away folds of skin from the breach area.
Since 2004, Tri-Solfen has been approved for a broader range of applications in the livestock industry, including for use during castration and tail docking, as well in the treatment of ailments such as ulcers, abscesses, and accidental wounds. Dr. Sheil has formulated the solution to mitigate pain, improve would healing and reduce blood loss, thanks to a combination of fast and long-acting anaesthetics, antiseptic and adrenaline.
When used during mulesing in particular, studies show that treated lambs exhibit reduced pain-related behaviour and benefit from improved rates of healing*. Its development is a huge achievement in animal health innovation and has been adopted for use across the Australian Wool Industry. Ultimately, the work Dr. Shiel and Medical Ethics continue to do in the area of animal wound care is leading the way for animal welfare.
*Lomax S, Sheil M, Windsor PA. Impact of topical anaesthesia on pain alleviation and wound healing in lambs after mulesing. Aust Vet J. 2008 May;86(5):159-68; quiz CE1. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2008.00285.x. PMID: 18454833.
Life on the farm