Reliable pain assessment in livestock is fundamental to good welfare. Validated pain scoring tools help farmers and vets detect suffering early and intervene effectively.
Undetected pain is one of the largest welfare problems in livestock farming. Animals that cannot vocalise or visibly display suffering may endure days or weeks of pain from lameness, mastitis, injury or post-operative discomfort. Validated scoring tools give farmers and vets an objective, repeatable framework for detection. The grimace scales are sensitive to acute and chronic pain and require minimal training to use. Embedding pain assessment into routine husbandry — checking animals daily using consistent criteria — is a practical step that improves both welfare and productivity. Animals in pain eat less, grow slower, and have suppressed immune function.