Welfare Assessment

Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L

The use of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) as cleaner fish in Atlantic salmon aquaculture has emerged as a promising solution to combat the issue of sea lice infestation, as they have proven effective under the right conditions. The aquaculture industry,...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Østerø, S. L., Toro, J. D., Homrum, E. í et al. 2024. Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages. PLOS ONE 19(11), e0310924.

Hands-on refinements: Establishing improved husbandry processes for aged C57BL/6 mice

The main aim of this project was to review the husbandry processes in place for the colony of aged C57BL/6 mice at the Babraham Institute, establish a refined husbandry process and improve local guidance. Secondly, by analysing fate and clinical...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Paterson, A. 2024. Hands-on refinements: Establishing improved husbandry processes for aged C57BL/6 mice. Animal Technology and Welfare 23(2), 129–131.

What we (don’t) know about parrot welfare: Finding welfare indicators through a systematic literature review

Parrots are popular companion animals but show prevalent and at times severe welfare issues. Nonetheless, there are no scientific tools available to assess parrot welfare. The aim of this systematic review was to identify valid and feasible outcome measures that...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Piseddu, A., Zeeland, Y. R. van, Rault, J.-L. 2024. What we (don't) know about parrot welfare: Finding welfare indicators through a systematic literature review. Animal Welfare 33, e57.

A new approach (CSA-Score) to assessing the cumulative overall stress load in the case of animal experiments and even beyond

In laboratory animal science, severity assessment has been mandatory by European law since 2013. Various severity assessments have been created for many single manipulations. However, when multiple harmful interventions or stressors occur simultaneously or repeatedly, the cumulative overall severity is...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Mouse, Pig, Rodent

Citation: Helmig, S., Wenzel, S. 2024. A new approach (CSA-Score) to assessing the cumulative overall stress load in the case of animal experiments and even beyond. Discover Animals 1(1), 38.

Do we still need a canary in the coal mine for laboratory animal facilities? A systematic review of environmental health monitoring versus soiled bedding sentinels

Introduction Despite increasing evidence that Environmental Health Monitoring (EHM) is an effective method to perform rodent colony health surveillance, promotes the 3Rs as a Replacement, is comparable or reduces cost, and demonstrates labor benefits, many research institutions continue to use...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: LaFollette, M. R., Clement, C. S., Luchins, K. R. et al. 2024. Do we still need a canary in the coal mine for laboratory animal facilities? A systematic review of environmental health monitoring versus soiled bedding sentinels. PLOS ONE 19(12), e0311840.

Automated landmark-based cat facial analysis and its applications

Facial landmarks, widely studied in human affective computing, are beginning to gain interest in the animal domain. Specifically, landmark-based geometric morphometric methods have been used to objectively assess facial expressions in cats, focusing on pain recognition and the impact of...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Martvel, G., Lazebnik, T., Feighelstein, M. et al. 2024. Automated landmark-based cat facial analysis and its applications. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11.

Place conditioning as evaluation of affective valence in piglets

The emotional valence of animals is challenging to assess, despite being a key component of welfare. In this study, we attempted to assess emotional valence through memory in 1- and 3-week-old piglets. It was hypothesized that piglets would spend less...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Ede, T., Ibach, S., Parsons, T. D. 2024. Place conditioning as evaluation of affective valence in piglets. Scientific Reports 14(1), 25216.

The influence of age, sex, and season on hematological parameters in a captive population of former laboratory chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

This study aimed to establish a baseline hematological profile and examine the influence of age, sex, and season on hematological parameters in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) living in a humid tropical climate. Hematological parameters are a useful tool for assessing...

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

Citation: Ngoubangoye, B., Dibakou, S.-E., Otsaghe Ekore, D. et al. 2025. The influence of age, sex, and season on hematological parameters in a captive population of former laboratory chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). American Journal of Primatology 87(1), e23703.

An exploration of the postural, location- and social contact- related sub-characteristics of inactive but awake behaviour as a depression-like indicator in mice

Inactive behaviour is essential to life. However, specific forms of inactivity may be indicative of compromised welfare in certain captive conditions. Inactive but awake behaviour (IBA - spontaneous, motionless awake behaviour without interacting with the surroundings) has been documented in...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Trevarthen, A. C., Resasco, A., Finnegan, E. M. et al. 2024. An exploration of the postural, location- and social contact- related sub-characteristics of inactive but awake behaviour as a depression-like indicator in mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 281, 106431.

Reducing hay waste from New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by switching to hanging wire feeders from conventional food bowls

Rabbits require daily dietary fiber (hay) to help maintain a healthy digestive tract. As per our standard operating procedure (SOP), we give the rabbits hay and other daily food enrichment in a bowl. Rabbits are intelligent, playful, and curious animals...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Hayes, R. A., Baker, C. L., Birke, L. L. 2024. Reducing hay waste from New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by switching to hanging wire feeders from conventional food bowls. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 12(3) (May/June), 40–42.