Introducing an Innovative Pain Scale for Assessing Postpartum Pain in Mares: Preliminary Clinical Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Equine Health
• Animal Welfare

Background:

• Postpartum pain in mares is common but lacks a specific assessment tool.
• Existing equine pain scales are not tailored for postpartum assessment.
• Veterinarians and caregivers need a practical method to evaluate pain in mares after foaling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and preliminarily validate a practical pain scale for postpartum mares.
• To provide a standardized tool for assessing pain in mares post-foaling.
• To aid in guiding appropriate pain management strategies for mares.

Main Methods:

• Adapted items from established equine orthopedic and colic pain scales.
• Incorporated caregiver feedback to refine the scale.
• Assessed eight key areas: behavior, facial expressions, vital signs, udder, GI function, hoof temp, food response, and movement.
• Collected saliva samples to measure cortisol levels.

Main Results:

• The scale was feasible for clinical use, allowing partial scoring when necessary.
• Pain scores were highest on day one postpartum, decreasing with recovery.
• Increased pain scores correlated with elevated cortisol levels, confirming biological relevance.
• A pain score exceeding 40% indicated the need for analgesic treatment.

Conclusions:

• The developed postpartum pain scale offers a standardized method for pain assessment in mares.
• The scale shows promise as a clinical tool to guide pain management after foaling.
• Further confirmation in larger studies is required to solidify its clinical utility.