The harvest of tissue from the tail tip is a common procedure utilized to provide tissue for genetic analysis.  To decrease the stress to the animal, tissue may be harvested up to weaning time without the use of anesthetics or analgesics.  Ossification has not yet occurred and if less that 0.5 cm is removed, represents minimal trauma to the animal.  In the following instances anesthesia is required: 1) after weaning, 2) if more than 0.5 cm is harvested, 3) or reasampling is required.