Report: Classification and reporting of severity experienced by animals used in scientific procedures

It is essential to correctly estimate expected severity (pain, suffering, distress, or lasting harm) prior the performance of the animal experiment. This applies both to the severity caused by individual procedures and an estimation of the cumulative severity. In addition to this prior assessment, the actual severity experienced by each animal should also be reported. Assessing severity, before, during and after an experiment can be difficult. FELASA, ECLAM and ESLAV published a report with instruments that can be used to assess severity. The aim of the report is to improve the skills related to assessing severity and harmonise the assessment methods. Examples of score sheets for assessing severity are included.

The report is available here.