Determining a cut-off point for intervention analgesia in rabbits using the Bristol Rabbit Pain Scale
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Livia Benato1, Joanna Murrell2, Nicola Rooney1
1Animal Welfare and Behaviour, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, UK.
Background:
The objective of this study was to determine the threshold of the Bristol Rabbit Pain Scale (BRPS) indicating the need for intervention analgesia.
Methods:
Fourteen members of veterinary staff were recruited to rate rabbits (n = 71) in acute pain. Observers in group A (n = 7) were asked to score each rabbit using the BRPS, while observers in group B (n = 7) independently answered the question 'In your clinical capacity, do you think this animal requires analgesia?' with either 'Yes' or 'No'. The answers from the two groups were then compared.
Results:
Rabbits for which group B answered 'No' (n = 36) had a median BRPS score (range) of 4 (0-10), while those for which group B answered 'Yes' (n = 42) had a median BRPS score of 9 (1-18; Z = -7.48; p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.93; p < 0.001), indicating excellent discrimination of the BRPS with a cut-off score of 5.5 (sensitivity 88.1% and specificity 69.4%). However, for practicality, a score of 5 was deemed a feasible cut-off.
Limitations:
The main limitations of this study are the small rabbit sample size and the subjective nature of pain scoring in animals.
Conclusions:
Analgesic intervention should be considered in rabbits with a pain score equal to or greater than 5 on the BRPS.
