Workshop: Recognition, prevention and alleviation of pain and distress in laboratory animals

This workshop will be delivered by Professor Paul Flecknell and Dr Matt Leach using a combination of pre-recorded webinars, “live” webinars and e-learning modules, including those funded by the NC3Rs.  The workshop will be hosted on the Research Animal Training website, as well as via Zoom, Padlet and Mentimeter. The registration fee for the workshop is £300 GBP (approx. €360) and the number of participants will be restricted so that the interactive sessions remain manageable. This workshop is based on the in-person workshops held previously in Newcastle, UK and is aimed at animal technicians, veterinarians, research workers and others who want to improve their understanding of this topic. 

Topics covered will include:

• What is pain and distress?
• Why we need to assess pain and distress, and how to do it.
• Cage-side methods of pain assessment.
• Severity assessment, using scoresheets and refining procedures.
• Pain, nociception and how analgesics work.
• Analgesics – what to give, when and how.
• Using analgesics in a research environment – problems and pitfall.
• Post-operative care.
• Practical exercises in avoiding and minimising pain and distress.