Pain and Distress

Question 1

What are the two drivers for legislation on use of animals for biomedical research?

Answer 1

1. Ethical consideration of use of animals
2. Degree of suffering, pain, and distress allowable (Cost-benefit analysis)

Question 2

How do you determine pain and suffering?

Answer 2

1. Empirical, traditional observations seen in annex 8 of the directive
2. Specific behavioral and preference testing = determining how much pain/effort an animal will expend to get a reward
3. The experience of others who performed the procedure
4. The experience of staff looking after the animals

Question 3

What are the types of assessments?

Answer 3

Prospective assessment - before procedure, assessing protocol
Retrospective assessment: during or after the procedure

Question 4

What are the classes of procedure severity?

Answer 4

1. Non-recovery: procedures under general anesthesia that animal won’t wake up
2. Mild: procedures with short-term mild pain, suffering, or distress, and little impairment of their well-being
3. Moderate: procedures with short-term moderate pain, suffering or distress, or long-lasting mild pain, and moderate impairment of well-being
4. Severe: procedures with severe pain, suffering or distress or long moderate pain, and severe impairment of well-being
   * Regulation 88(4) - CAN’T DO LONG LASTING SEVERE PAIN

Question 5

What is the regulation around reuse?

Answer 5

• X reuse when others can be used UNLESS:
  => previous procedure = mild/moderate
  => Animal’s wellbeing fully restored
  => Further procedure = mild/moderate/non-recovery
  => In accordance with veterinary advice

Question 6

Who invented the grimace scale?

Answer 6

Dr Jeffrey Mogil and colleagues at McGill University

Question 7

What is the mouse grimace scale?

Answer 7

1. Orbital tightening
2. Nose bulge
3. Cheek bulge
4. Ear position (back)
5. Whisker change (splayed)

Question 8

What signs are used for clinical assessment of pain?

Answer 8

1. Piloerection
2. Isolation behavior
3. Lowering of activity
4. Loss of food & water intake
5. Manifestation of pain E.g. vocalisation, writhing

Question 9

What is used to alleviate pain?

Answer 9

• Housing
• Handling
• Procedure
• Good training
• Anesthetic
• Recovery
• Analgesia

Question 10

How do you assess pain?

Answer 10

1. Experience w/ procedure
2. Comparison w/ humans
3. Clinical assessment
4. Activity index
5. Food and water intake