Publications

Dynamics of biochemical parameters, inflammatory and stress markers in lambs undergoing caudectomy using two different methods

Zootechnical practices such as tail docking are still in use in dairy sheep farming, performed in the first week of life, mainly by rubber ring and only rarely by surgical methods. In this study, we evaluated the impact of caudectomy...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Pilo, G., Tedde, G., Peli, A. et al. 2025. Dynamics of biochemical parameters, inflammatory and stress markers in lambs undergoing caudectomy using two different methods. Animals 15(17), 2614.

The welfare of cattle in different housing systems

The review provides an overview of research concerning the assessment of cattle welfare in different housing systems. Hence, it restricts its scope to factors known to have a particular influence on the expression of their natural behaviours. It analyses the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Pilarczyk, B., Pilarczyk, R., Bąkowska, M. et al. 2025. The welfare of cattle in different housing systems. Animals 15(13), 1972.

Editorial: Fish welfare in aquaculture and research—where are we going?

Rapid technical developments are taking place in aquaculture, and its production is increasing globally every year by more than 4%. Research is the necessary foundation for politics to define reasonable regulations and recommend guidelines for aquaculture, but also the basis...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Stocking Density, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish, Salmon, Trout, Zebrafish

Citation: Pietsch, C. 2025. Editorial: Fish welfare in aquaculture and research—where are we going? Animals 15(16), 2367.

Identifying trends in reporting on the ethical treatment of insects in research

Transparent reporting on the ethical treatment of research animals (e.g., implementation of the 3Rs, replace, reduce, and refine) is recommended when publishing in peer-reviewed literature. This is meant to foster public trust, safeguard animal welfare, and generate reproducible science. However,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Insect & Spider, Invertebrate

Citation: Perl, C. D., Kissinger, C., Godfrey, R. K. et al. 2025. Identifying trends in reporting on the ethical treatment of insects in research. PLOS ONE 20(8), e0328931.

Selection of animal welfare indicators for primates in rescue centres using the Delphi method: Cebus albifrons as a case study

Wildlife rescue centres face considerable challenges in promoting animal welfare and enhancing the care and housing conditions of animals under professional supervision. These challenges are further compounded by the diversity of species admitted, each with distinct specific needs. In Colombia...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Capuchin, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Pereira Bengoa, V. E., Manteca, X. 2025. Selection of animal welfare indicators for primates in rescue centres using the Delphi method: Cebus albifrons as a case study. Animals 15(17), 2473.

Efficacy of pain management for cattle castration: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Much research has assessed methods of pain control for cattle castration, but there remains a lack of consensus regarding best practice. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published research including both an untreated control (i.e. castrated without pain...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Nogues, E., Stojkov, J., Stojkova, B. J. et al. 2025. Efficacy of pain management for cattle castration: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Animal Welfare 34, e43.

Automated facial feature evaluation system to prevent stress of head fixed mice

Head fixation of rodents is a widely utilized and important technique that enables laboratories to measure brain activity during behavior, but head fixation can increase stress which affects both behavior and underlying brain activity, as well as animal welfare. It...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Nasr, A., Rettinger, G., Mansvelder, H. D. et al. 2025. Automated facial feature evaluation system to prevent stress of head fixed mice. PLOS ONE 20(6), e0322530.

Voluntary additional welfare monitoring of farm animals used in research: Maximising benefits requires sustained support

The aim of this project was to co-create an animal welfare monitoring system that incorporated both positive and negative welfare measures that would contribute to best practice husbandry standards of farm animals in a real animal research setting. Researchers worked...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Mullan, S., Stokes, J., Hale, H. E. et al. 2025. Voluntary additional welfare monitoring of farm animals used in research: Maximising benefits requires sustained support. Animals 15(19), 2817.

Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals

Nonhuman animals use nonverbal cues to communicate their mental state about positive and negative events, including pain. Pain is a multidimensional process that elicits behavioral changes aimed at preventing further damage and promoting healing. These changes include restrictions on movement...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat, Cattle, Dog, Equine, Goat, Pig

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Whittaker, A. L., Lanzoni, L. et al. 2025. Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Comparison of the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of gabapentin and pregabalin in cats: A systematic review

The present study aimed to systematically review the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of gabapentin and pregabalin in domestic cats to assess the quality of using these medications for stress, fear, and anxiety management, and the treatment of both acute and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Miranda-Cortés, A. E., Prado-Ochoa, M. G., Díaz-Torres, R. et al. 2025. Comparison of the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of gabapentin and pregabalin in cats: A systematic review. Animals 15(16), 2346.