Welfare Science

Farm Animal Pain Assessment Tool Development

Validated pain assessment tools for farm animals enable consistent identification and treatment of pain improving welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

The Unesp-Botucatu scales assess pain in horses, cattle, and other species using behavioural and physiological measures
Grimace scales using facial action coding have been validated for multiple farm animal species
Trained observers using validated tools show higher sensitivity for mild and moderate pain
Digital image analysis tools are being developed for automated pain detection in farm animals

Welfare Considerations

Pain assessment tools translate scientific knowledge about animal pain expression into practical clinical instruments. Without reliable assessment, pain goes unrecognised and untreated. Developing, validating, and widely implementing pain assessment tools is one of the most impactful translational welfare science priorities.

What You Can Do

Support farm animal pain assessment research and tool development
Advocate for pain assessment training in farm animal veterinary education
Encourage farm assurance schemes to require pain assessment tool use