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Severity assessment in rabbits after partial hepatectomy: Part II
N Drude1, K Pawlowsky2, H Tanaka2
1Department for Nuclear Medicine.
Laboratory Animals
|December 3, 2016
Summary
Assessing post-surgical pain in laboratory rabbits is crucial. This study developed a scoring system for liver resection, finding mild pain and good tolerance to surgical glues in New Zealand White rabbits.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Welfare
- Surgical Research
Background:
- Limited understanding of post-surgical pain assessment in laboratory animals like rabbits.
- Need for standardized scoring systems for pain and severity, particularly after liver resection.
- Previous work by Morton and Griffiths (1985) highlighted pain recognition, but specific scoring sheets remain underdeveloped.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the severity and recovery status of laboratory rabbits following a standardized liver resection model.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a developed scoring system for post-surgical pain and welfare assessment.
- To compare the impact of two different adhesive treatments (synthetic glue VIVO-107 and fibrin glue) versus a control group on rabbit welfare.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a standardized liver resection model in 36 female New Zealand White rabbits (NZW).
- Assessed welfare over 3-4 consecutive days post-surgery using a scoring system (0-20 points).
- Scoring criteria included body weight, general state, clinical results, spontaneous behavior, and clinical examination, with a humane endpoint at ≥20 points.
Main Results:
- Body weight loss was the primary contributor to scored points; clinical signs and general health had minimal impact.
- Behavioral variations were minimal, observed mainly within the first 24 hours post-operation (average score ≤1).
- All groups, including those treated with synthetic or fibrin glue, exhibited mild burden according to the scoring system, contrasting with laparotomy's moderate classification (EU Directive 2010/63).
Conclusions:
- The partial hepatectomy and tested adhesive treatments (VIVO-107, fibrin glue) were well-tolerated by the rabbits.
- The developed scoring system indicated a mild overall burden for the liver resection model in rabbits.
- The study provides a valuable tool for assessing post-surgical pain and severity in laboratory rabbits, contributing to improved animal welfare in research.
