How do we assess pain in rodents in veterinary practice, what do we know and why it is important?

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]