TempleResearch Administration / Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Student Faculty Center – Suite 304
3340 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
(215)707-9741 Fax: (215)707-9100
e-mail:
/ COMMITTEE USE ONLY
REVIEW NUMBER
APPROVAL NUMBER
APPROVAL DATE
EXPIRATION DATE
GENERAL PAIN SCORING CHART
The following is a method to help quantify pain and distress by using a pain scoring system recommended by the IACUC and ULAR veterinarians. This chart may be modified by the PI to include species- and model-specific signs of pain and distress, and then incorporated into the ACUP for IACUC review and approval. Variable changes may be observed over time and are subjective at best. However, all animals on Type III studies should be monitored at least once daily for clinical signs of pain and/or distress.
Physical Appearance
0 = Normal (good hair coat, color of skin and/or mucous membranes, eyes clear, no discharge from eyes/nose, normal posture and movements)
1= Minor changes in grooming and movement (lethargic, normal posture, no discharge from eyes/nose)
2 = Major changes in grooming and movement (slight discharge from eyes/nose, reduced or awkward movements)
3 = Lack of grooming, limited movement (hunched posture, ruffled hair coat, naso-ocular discharge, lack of cleaning of eyes and feet, eyes sunken/glazed, noticeably dehydrated, evidence of abdominal ascites)
Behavioral Signs and Response to External Stimuli
0 = Normal (normal activity, alertness, response to stimuli, usual eating and drinking)
1 = Minor changes (slightly less mobile, lethargic, slower movements, decrease in alertness, less responsive to stimuli, irritability or slight exaggeration of response)
2 = Major changes (significantly reduced mobility, alertness, response to stimuli, uncoordinated movements, significant irritability or exaggeration of response)
3 = Absence of movement and alertness (no normal activity, immobile, no intense reaction to stimuli)
Body Weight Changes
0 = Normal (normal food consumption, with normal urine and fecal output)
1 = 5% - 10% loss of weight (minor change in food and water intake)
2 = 10% - 15% loss of weight (eating and drinking noticeably decreased, decreased fecal output or evidence of diarrhea, dehydration, some loss of fat or muscle)
3 = 15% - 20% loss of weight (little or no food intake, no evidence of urine or feces output, noticeable dehydration)
Measurable Clinical Signs
0 = Normal (normal temperature, heart rate and respiration)
1 = Minor changes (shallow breathing, temperature change less than 1o C, changes in heart and/or respiration rate less than 10 %)
2 = Major changes (temperature change of 1 – 2o C, changes in heart and/or respiration rate 10 – 30 %)
3 = Severe changes (temperature change of 2oC or more, changes in heart and/or respiration rate greater than 30%, respiratory distress, labored breathing, pallor of mucus membranes)
If an animal is scored as a “3” on any one of the above parameters, then the animal will be euthanized.
Pain and Distress Monitoring Chart: Animal ID:______
Parameter / Score / Date/Time / Date/Time / Date/Time / Date/Time / Date/TimePhysical Appearance / 0
1
2
3
Behavioral Signs and Response to Stimuli / 0
1
2
3
Body Weight Changes / 0
1
2
3
Measurable Clinical Signs / 0
1
2
3
Total
DATE of EUTHANASIA: ______INITIALS: ______
IACUC approval: Date Approved: 2/27/2009
IACUC ChairpersonDate Revised: _7/9/2010_
IACUC General Pain Scoring Chart, Rev.1Page 1 of 2