Pain management in laboratory animals has improved significantly, but assessment challenges and concerns about experimental interference continue to limit analgesic provision in research contexts.
Pain management in laboratory animals remains an area of significant welfare concern - historical reluctance to provide analgesia due to concern about experimental confounding has been challenged by evidence that undertreated pain itself confounds results through stress responses and abnormal behaviour. Modern best practice requires proactive pain assessment using validated tools, species-appropriate analgesia, and collaboration between researchers and veterinary staff to design pain management protocols that protect welfare without compromising scientific validity. The welfare and scientific quality arguments for adequate analgesia are aligned rather than in conflict.