ABSTRACT: Without the ability to effectively recognise pain and assess its severity in animals, there is no way of assessing the efficacy of analgesia administered. Therefore, we have no way of ensuring that pain is adequately managed. Despite the extensive use of rodents in medical research that often involves the assessment of pain and distress, translation of this knowledge to veterinary medicine has been relatively neglected, and original veterinary research in pain assessment in rodents is lacking. This article aims to provide a broad overview of common behaviours that could be used to assess pain in rodents.

Author(s)

Aneesa Malik MSC RVN Cert VNES Cert VNECC

Aneesa worked in first opinion, charity, emergency and referral practice, and went on to pursue an interest in animal welfare science, particularly pain assessment and management. Her focus is the factors that affect very different pain management regimes in our veterinary patients, for instance, factors such as the staff involved, the species of animal, or whether patients are “owned”, “stray”, or wildlife.

E-mail: aneesa.vn@gmail.com

Matt Leach Member of Pain & Animal Welfare Science (PAWS) Group

Animal welfare scientist at Newcastle University Matt’s research has focuses on assessment and alleviation of pain in laboratory, companion and farm animals and how common procedures affect the psychological state of laboratory animals, and its influence on pain and distress. Web: www.ncl.ac.uk/afrd/staff/profile/ matthew.leach

Research Gate: www.researchgate.net/ profile/Matthew_Leach2/

Keywords: Clinical, Access pain 

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 32 (04) • April 2017 pp103-108

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