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Assessing pain in animals — putting research into practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

PA Flecknell  and
JV Roughan
PA Flecknell*
Affiliation:
Comparative Biology Centre, Medical School, Framlington Place, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
JV Roughan
Affiliation:
Comparative Biology Centre, Medical School, Framlington Place, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints
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Abstract

Our ability to assess pain in animals in clinical situations is slowly developing, but remains very limited. In order to develop appropriate pain scoring schemes, numerous practical problems need to be overcome. In addition, we need to appraise realistically our current poor state of knowledge. Development of new scoring systems must be coupled with the increased education and training of those responsible for pain management, so that both the assessment and the alleviation of pain are steadily improved.

Keywords

analgesiaanimalanimal welfarepainpain assessmentpain scoring
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 13 , Issue S1: Science in the Service of Animal Welfare: Proceedings of the UFAW International Symposium, Edinburgh, 2-4 April 2003 , February 2004 , pp. S71 - S75
Copyright
© 2004 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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