| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Tomacheuski, Rubia M.
;
Taffarel, Marilda O.
;
Ferrante, Marcos
;
Luna, Stelio P. L.
Total Authors: 4
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | VETERINARY ANAESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA; v. 47, n. 5, p. 10-pg., 2020-09-01. |
| Abstract | |
Objective To investigate the current scenario in Brazil regarding pain assessment and control in experimental animals. Study design Prospective survey. Methods A confidential questionnaire was available online and sent by e-mail to Brazilian scientists working with animal experimentation in Brazil. Data collection was conducted from October 2016 to October 2017. The exclusion criteria included blank questionnaires or with <80% completed responses, researchers not performing experiments involving animals and foreign scientists. Results A total of 96 questionnaires from 104 respondents were analyzed. The Fisher's exact test showed a disparity between the proportions of scientists who recognized the importance of analgesia and their application of analgesic techniques in painful procedures (p < 0.0003), and also for the researchers who assumed that experiments inflicted pain and their classification of the degree of invasiveness (p < 0.0001), indicating their insufficient knowledge of these topics. Overall, 77% of institutions did not offer specific training to assess pain in experimental animals, and 24% of respondents had no training to work with animal experimentation. In total, 62% of the studies inflicted pain, 48% of respondents used pain scales, and the drugs administered most frequently for pain management were morphine (44%), meloxicam (43%) and tramadol (37%); 15% of respondents did not include analgesics even though their studies inflicted pain. Commonly used animals were rats (33%), mice (29%) and rabbits (8%). Conclusions and clinical relevance The results of this preliminary survey indicated that in Brazil there is a gap in the knowledge and training on pain assessment and management of experimental animals. Therefore, there is a necessity for an educational program to prepare and train scientists to assess and manage pain in laboratory or experimental animals. Further studies using a psychometrically validated survey instrument are warranted. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/12815-0 - Pain and quality of life in animals |
| Grantee: | Stelio Pacca Loureiro Luna |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |