Recognition And Alleviation Of Distress In Laboratory Animals

Providing updated guidelines based on current scientific research, this provides new, evidence-based techniques to use with animals in research, testing and education. These guidelines are based on a number of US and international standards that seek to eliminate pain and distress in such animals or at least reduce it as much as possible unless scientifically justified. This begins by defining both "stress" and "distress" and describing methods of recognition and assessment, the implications for animal welfare and research, behavioral recognition of stress and distress and physiological measures, methods of avoiding or minimizing distress in animal use and care, alleviating distress in laboratory settings, and research directions. An appendix provides descriptions of tools that monitor and assess health status and well-being in terms of stress and distress.