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Following up on last week’s topic, today we’ll explore the grimace scales developed specifically for rabbits.
Just like the mouse grimace scale, the rabbit grimace scale is a vital tool for assessing and alleviating pain in laboratory animals. Recognizing pain in rabbits through their facial expressions can enhance their welfare by allowing for timely and effective pain management.
The Rabbit Grimace Scale, developed by Dr. Matthew Leach and colleagues at Newcastle University with funding from the NC3Rs, focuses on several key facial action units. Here’s a breakdown:
The Rabbit Grimace Scale
Orbital Tightening
Nose Shape and Position
Cheek Flattening
Whisker Changes
Ear Shape and Position
Significance: Ears shifting position is a clear sign of discomfort or pain.
When using the rabbit grimace scale to assess pain in real-time at the cage or pen side, it’s crucial to observe each rabbit for a short period. This approach ensures that brief, unrelated changes in facial expression do not lead to incorrect assessments. Importantly, grimace scales should only be used with awake animals to ensure accurate readings.
Keywords: rabbit, grimace, pain tolerance
@ 2024 . All rights reserved
@ 2024 . All rights reserved