Pain management in pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus): a review of limitations of current knowledge and practice.
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
39924411
Abstract
Objective
To describe recent evidence-based and peer-reviewed literature on the topic of pain assessment and pain management in guinea pigs in a systematic review. To consider impacts of current practice on guinea pig welfare and to identify areas in need of further research.Databases Used
ScienceDirect, PubMed and CAB abstracts along with relevant information from books and ebooks were searched. Terms used were guinea pigs, cavies, Cavia porcellus, pain, surgery, surgical procedures, grimace, dental, bloat, analgesia, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and opiates.Conclusions
There are few studies available in the areas of pain assessment and pain management in guinea pigs. Grimace scales and in-clinic pain assessment scales are available for other species but have not been developed for guinea pigs. Doses of analgesic drugs are extrapolated from other species or used from anecdotal evidence in the absence of validated values. The specified dose for the only UK licenced analgesic drug for guinea pigs (meloxicam) is significantly lower than doses suggested in the reviewed literature which may have a negative impact on the welfare of this species. To improve the welfare of guinea pigs, further research into the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of analgesic drugs specific to this species are required. Further research into the development and validation of pain assessment methods is also indicated to promote better welfare of this species.
To describe recent evidence-based and peer-reviewed literature on the topic of pain assessment and pain management in guinea pigs in a systematic review. To consider impacts of current practice on guinea pig welfare and to identify areas in need of further research.Databases Used
ScienceDirect, PubMed and CAB abstracts along with relevant information from books and ebooks were searched. Terms used were guinea pigs, cavies, Cavia porcellus, pain, surgery, surgical procedures, grimace, dental, bloat, analgesia, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and opiates.Conclusions
There are few studies available in the areas of pain assessment and pain management in guinea pigs. Grimace scales and in-clinic pain assessment scales are available for other species but have not been developed for guinea pigs. Doses of analgesic drugs are extrapolated from other species or used from anecdotal evidence in the absence of validated values. The specified dose for the only UK licenced analgesic drug for guinea pigs (meloxicam) is significantly lower than doses suggested in the reviewed literature which may have a negative impact on the welfare of this species. To improve the welfare of guinea pigs, further research into the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of analgesic drugs specific to this species are required. Further research into the development and validation of pain assessment methods is also indicated to promote better welfare of this species.
Date Issued
2025-03
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Subjects
analgesia
•
guinea pigs
•
pain assessment
•
pain management
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Additional Credits
Journal
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
1467-2995
1467-2987
Access(Rights)
restricted