Pain Recognition in Rabbits.

Authors :: Miller AL
Leach MC
Source :: The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice [Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract] 2023 Jan; Vol. 26 (1), pp. 187-199.
Publication Year :: 2023
Abstract: Rabbits typically undergo at least one painful procedure during their lifetime and appropriate methods of assessment are essential to reduce or alleviate pain. Various methods of assessing pain in rabbits have been investigated, with the validity of spontaneous behavior and grimace scale scoring being the most studied to date. Assessment of pain is challenging, compounded by rabbits being a prey species that display freezing behavior in the presence of unfamiliar caregivers. Here we discuss some key changes in rabbits that can be used in the assessment of pain and provide some practical suggestions to ensure that the assessment can be carried out effectively.<br /> (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)