Indicators

Scoring of independent variables:

Score of each animal in group

Animal

General Health

Eating

Locomotion

Behaviour:

0. drinking and eating well

1. change in eating or drinking habit

2. inappetance.

3. not eating/drinking, severely dehydrated

0. walking normally

1. limping, stiffness

2. swollen limbs

3. severely restricted mobility

0. normal

1. away from littermates

2. aggressive or huddled in corner

3. severe distress

Appearance

0. Normal

1. ruffled fur

2. animal appears depressed , hunched, reluctant to move

3. animal appears severely depressed.

Weight loss

0. normal

1. 5 – 10%

2. 10-19%

3. >20%

End point

If 10% body weight loss, neurological impairment of hindlimb prevents feeding and drinking- contact user/cull

Operation site

Wound

0. Healed

1. Open slightly but dry

2. Signs of infection wet

3. Gaping and open wound with pus

Bleeding

0. Signs of blood coagulated

1. Small amount of bleeding from wound

2. Continuous drip of blood

3. Copious bleeding

Sutures/clip

0. Slightly loose

1. Becoming detached and wound opening

2. Nearly detached and wound open

3. Completely detached and wound gaping

POST OPERATIVE SUPPORT

Analgesic administration

0.Animal relaxed appears pain free

1. Animal showing signs of mild discomfort

2. Animal agitated showing signs of moderate discomfort

3. Animal in severe discomfort

Drug

Dose

Fluids by SC injection

Other drugs

Total Score