Welfare Assessment

Infrared thermal imaging: Positive and negative emotions modify the skin temperatures of monkey and ape faces

Facial thermography has enabled researchers to noninvasively and continuously measure the changes of a range of emotional states in humans. The present work used this novel technology to study the effect of positive and negative emotions in nonhuman primates by...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Chotard, H., Ioannou, S., Davila-Ross, M. 2018. Infrared thermal imaging: Positive and negative emotions modify the skin temperatures of monkey and ape faces. American Journal of Primatology 80(5), e22863.

Automated tracking of motion and body weight for objective monitoring of rats in colony housing

Living together in large social communities within an enriched environment stimulates self-motivated activity in rats. We developed a modular housing system in which a single unit can accommodate as many as 48 rats and contains multiple functional areas. This rat...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Brenneis, C., Westhof, A., Holschbach, J. et al. 2017. Automated tracking of motion and body weight for objective monitoring of rats in colony housing. JAALAS 56(1), 18-31.

Validation of a behavioral ethogram for assessing postoperative pain in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Although guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) have been used in research for more than a century and remain the most prevalent USDA-covered species, little has been elucidated regarding the recognition of clinical pain or analgesic efficacy in this species. We sought...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Dunbar, M. L., David, E. M., Aline, M. R. et al. 2016. Validation of a behavioral ethogram for assessing postoperative pain in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). JAALAS 55(1), 29–34.

Evaluation of pain assessment techniques and analgesia efficacy in a female guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) model of surgical pain

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are a frequently used species in research, often involving potentially painful procedures. Therefore, evidence-based recommendations regarding analgesia are critically needed to optimize their wellbeing. Our laboratory examined the efficacy of carprofen and extended-release (ER) buprenorphine, alone...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Analgesia, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Oliver, V. L., Athavale, S., Simon, K. E. et al. 2017. Evaluation of pain assessment techniques and analgesia efficacy in a female guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) model of surgical pain. JAALAS 56(4), 425-435.

Using the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) to assess pain associated with acute laminitis in horses (Equus caballus)

Acute laminitis is a common equine disease characterized by intense foot pain, both acutely and chronically. The Obel grading system is the most widely accepted method for describing the severity of laminitis by equine practitioners, however this method requires movement...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Dalla Costa, E., Stucke, D., Dai, F. et al. 2016. Using the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) to assess pain associated with acute laminitis in horses (Equus caballus). Animals 6(8), 47.

Using cageside measures to evaluate analgesic efficacy in mice (Mus musculus) after surgery

Recent studies have revealed some of the most frequently used analgesics in mice are not effectively treating postoperative pain. Our laboratory sought to compare and assess the validity and reliability of 2 cageside pain assessments that we recently developed for...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Oliver, V. L., Thurston, S. E., Lofgren, J. L. 2018. Using cageside measures to evaluate analgesic efficacy in mice (Mus musculus) after surgery. JAALAS 57(2), 186-201.

Operational details of the five domains model and its key applications to the assessment and management of animal welfare

In accord with contemporary animal welfare science understanding, the Five Domains Model has a significant focus on subjective experiences, known as affects, which collectively contribute to an animal's overall welfare state. Operationally, the focus of the Model is on the...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Mellor, D. Operational details of the five domains model and its key applications to the assessment and management of animal welfare. Animals 7(8), 60.

Research tools for the measurement of pain and nociception

There are many ways in which pain in animals can be measured and these are based on a variety of phenomena that are related to either the perception of pain or alterations in physical or behavioural features of the animal...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Johnson, C. 2016. Research tools for the measurement of pain and nociception. Animals 6(11), 71.

Moving beyond the “Five Freedoms” by updating the “Five Provisions” and introducing aligned “Animal Welfare Aims”

Although the Five Freedoms paradigm has been very influential in shaping animal welfare thinking for the last two decades, it has two key disadvantages. First, the focus on “freedom” from a range of negative experiences and states has been misunderstood...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Mellor, D. 2016. Moving beyond the “Five Freedoms” by updating the “Five Provisions” and introducing aligned “Animal Welfare Aims”. Animals 6(10), 59.

Animal-based measures to assess the welfare of extensively managed ewes

The reliability and feasibility of 10 animal-based measures of ewe welfare were examined for use in extensive sheep production systems. Measures were: Body condition score (BCS), rumen fill, fleece cleanliness, fleece condition, skin lesions, tail length, dag score, foot-wall integrity,...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Munoz, C., Campbell, A., Hemsworth, P. et al. 2018. Animal-based measures to assess the welfare of extensively managed ewes. Animals 8(1), 2.