Abstract
Simple SummaryPain recognition in calves is difficult. Pain is assessed either subjectively or objectively. Subjective pain assessment can be done using ethograms or pain scales, or by evaluation of changes of the facial expression due to pain. The problem with subjective pain assessment is that the evaluation of the amount of pain a calf is experiencing depends on the evaluation and the experience of the observer. Variables for the objective description of pain are assessment of biomarkers in the blood (e.g., cortisol or substance P), use of algometry to measure mechanical nociceptive thresholds, activity measurements by use of accelerometers and pedometers, use of infrared thermography, and the assessment of heart rate, heart rate variability, feed and water intake, or weight gain. Studies about pain recognition and pain management in calves mostly use more than one variable. Often a combination of subjective and objective measures is used to evaluate the level of pain calves are experiencing and to improve pain recognition.The evaluation and assessment of the level of pain calves are experiencing is important, as the experience of pain (e.g., due to routine husbandry procedures) severely affects the welfare of calves. Studies about the recognition of pain in calves, and especially pain management during and after common procedures, such as castration, dehorning, and disbudding, have been published. This narrative review discusses and summarizes the existing literature about methods for pain assessment in calves. First, it deals with the definition of pain and the challenges associated with the recognition of pain in calves. Then it proceeds to outline the different options and methods for subjective and objective pain assessment in calves, as described in the literature. Research data show that there are several tools suitable for the assessment of pain in calves, at least for research purposes. Finally, it concludes that for research purposes, various variables for the assessment of pain in calves are used in combination. However, there is no variable which can be used solely for the exclusive assessment of pain in calves. Also, further research is needed to describe biomarkers or variables which are easily accessible in the field practice.
Highlights
The objective of this paper is to summarize and compare the different subjective and objective methods for pain assessment most commonly used in calves, and to outline the advantages and disadvantages of these pain measurement systems to provide researchers with the methods most suitable for their studies, and veterinarians with the knowledge how to evaluate pain in calves
Facial expressions were significantly different between cows not in pain alence ofwith acute or chronic and age might influence sensitivit compared animals in pain [6].pain, Features of the pain face have been usedthe for pain assessment in adult cattle following different procedures [8,51,53]
Some studies investigating the relationship between painful procedures and substance P (SP) concentrations report varying results [17], showing that SP concentrations did not differ between control calves and calves treated with analgesics for disbudding [65], or surgical castration [15]
Summary
Molony [1] stated that “animal pain is an aversive sensory and emotional experience representing an awareness by the animal of danger of threat to the integrity of its tissues; (note, there may not be any damage) it changes the animal’s physiology and behaviour to reduce or avoid damage, to reduce the likelihood of recurrence and to promote surgery”. It is reasonable to think that mammals experience painful events in a similar way as humans do, as the neural pathways of pain sensation are similar [2]. There is no scientific definition of pain in animals which is universally accepted [3]
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