122-Ferret Analgesia - Dec 2021 v2

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE #122
FERRET ANALGESIA
1. PURPOSE
The intent of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to describe methods of assessing pain in ferrets and mitigating
pain by administration of analgesic medications.
2. RESPONSIBILITY
Principal investigator (PI) and their research staff, veterinary care staff.
3. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
3.1. A procedure which would be expected to be painful if it were done on humans must be considered painful to the
animal.
3.2. When there is a question of whether or not a procedure is painful, the animal should receive the benefit of
analgesia.
3.3. Analgesia should be provided at an appropriate dose and frequency to control pain.
3.4. Any deviation from this procedure must be justified by the investigator and approved by the appropriate Facility
Animal Care Committee (FACC).
4. PAIN RECOGNITION AND ASSESSMENT
4.1. Adapt the frequency of observation to the invasiveness of the procedure (minimum once a day).
4.2. Start by observing the animal from a distance so the animal's behavior is not altered by the presence of the
observer. Then proceed to observe the animal more closely.
4.3. Look for any changes in the behavior. Report animals which appear to be in pain to the veterinary care staff.
4.4. Common clinical signs indicative of pain or distress include:
4.4.1. Avoidance, vocalization and aggressiveness (mainly if the animal cannot escape)
4.4.2. Spontaneous activities are reduced. The animal is isolated from the social group
4.4.3. Altered gait
4.4.4. Hunched posture
4.4.5. Reduced appetite and subsequent weight loss
Note: The most reliable signs of pain and distress are the changes in behavior. This implies a good knowledge of
species and individual normal behavior by the observer.
SOP 122.01 – Ferret Analgesia Page 1 of 5

4.5. Ferret Grimace Scale (Reijgwart et al. 2017)
The ferret grimace scale is a standardized behavioral coding system that demonstrates facial expressions which
can be used to assess pain in the laboratory ferret.

5. ANALGESIA PLAN
5.1. If possible, provide analgesia before the painful stimulus, as it is more effective in preventing pain (e.g. give
analgesic before surgery).
5.2. Use a combination of analgesics, which is often more effective than using a single agent. For
example, a combination of opioid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and infiltration of a local
analgesic.
5.3. For surgical procedures, extend analgesia from pre-op to 72 hours post-op, unless otherwise specified in the
Animal Use protocol (AUP) and approved by the FACC.
6. LOCAL ANALGESIA
6.1. Infiltrate or apply local analgesic to areas where a painful stimulus may be induced. Repeat application of local
agent at specified intervals to maintain analgesia. In some cases a sedative is recommended when using local
analgesia.
Analgesic Dose Route Duration Note

Lidocaine < 2 mg/kg SC, 30–60 min. Use lidocaine HCl 2% (20mg/ml) injectable
Infiltration solution.
of surgical Because this drug is acidic, it is
wounds recommended to dilute it 3:1 with sodium
bicarbonate injectable solution (at 5 or
8.4%).
Dilution must be prepared immediately
before use and should not be stored. Diluted
solution is as effective but induction of
analgesia is slightly prolonged.
* Dilution with sodium bicarbonate is not
necessary if lidocaine is to be administered
to an anesthetized animal.
Bupivacaine < 2 mg/kg SC, 3–4 hr. Use bupivacaine HCl 0.50% (5mg/ml)
Infiltration injectable solution.
of surgical Same comment as for lidocaine.
wounds
* Lidocaine- < 2 mg/kg SC, 30min.-4 hr. Same comment as for lidocaine.
bupivacaine Infiltration Combining both drugs allows for rapid
mixture of surgical induction and prolonged effect.
wounds
Use a 1:1 mixture of lidocaine HCl 2%
(20mg/ml) injectable solution and
bupivacaine HCl 0.50% (5mg/ml) injectable
solution.
Discard mixture after 3 months.
EMLA cream Thick spread Topical 30–60 min. Shave or pluck the fur and apply a thick layer
of cream ideally 10 minutes before the
painful procedure.
Use only on intact skin.
*most commonly used

7. GENERAL ANALGESIA
Ferret
Analgesic Dose Route Frequency Note
*Buprenorphine 0.01–0.5 IM, SC 8–12 hr. Mild to moderate pain.
mg/kg Controlled drug.
*Carprofen 1-4 mg/kg SC, PO 12–24 hr. Mild to moderate pain.
*Ketoprofen 1-2 mg/kg SC, IM, PO 24 hr. Mild to moderate pain.
*Meloxicam 0.2 mg/kg SC, IM, PO 12-24 hr. Mild to moderate pain.
Butrophanol 0.1-0.4 mg/kg SC, IM, IV 2-6 hr Moderate to severe pain.

Controlled drug.
*most commonly used
7.1. Administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):

7.1.1. NSAIDs include carprofen, ketoprofen and meloxicam.
7.1.2. Ensure good water intake and monitor hydration status during the treatment period.
7.1.3. To minimize chances for adverse drug interactions, a washout period of 5-7 days is recommended before
switching between NSAIDs.
8. REFERENCES
8.1. Plumb, DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. Stockholm, Wis. : Ames, Iowa :PhrmaVet ; Distributed by
Blackwell Pub., 2005.
8.2. Reijgwart ML, Schoemaker NJ, Pascuzzo R, Leach MC, Stodel M, de Nies L, et al. (2017) The composition and
initial evaluation of a grimace scale in ferrets after surgical implantation of a telemetry probe. PLoS ONE 12(11):
e0187986
SOP REVISION HISTORY

DATE NEW VERSION
5.2. Try to Use a combination of analgesics, which is often more effective than using a single agent. For example, a combination
2021.11.04
of buprenorphine opioid, carprofen non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and local infiltration of lidocaine/bupivacaine a local analgesic.
2021.11.04 7.1.3. Suspend water restriction prior to administration of NSAIDs.

Revised on (yyyy-mm-dd): 2021-11-04 Effective date (yyyy-mm-dd): 2020-04-20
Approved by the McGill University Animal Policy and Welfare Oversight Committee

122-Ferret Analgesia - Dec 2021 v2

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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE #122

4. PAIN RECOGNITION AND ASSESSMENT

SOP 122.01 – Ferret Analgesia Page 1 of 5

SOP 122.01 – Ferret Analgesia Page 2 of 5

Analgesic Dose Route Duration Note

SOP 122.01 – Ferret Analgesia Page 3 of 5

*Ketoprofen 1-2 mg/kg SC, IM, PO 24 hr. Mild to moderate pain.

Butrophanol 0.1-0.4 mg/kg SC, IM, IV 2-6 hr Moderate to severe pain.

7.1. Administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):

SOP REVISION HISTORY

2021.11.04 7.1.3. Suspend water restriction prior to administration of NSAIDs.

SOP 122.01 – Ferret Analgesia Page 5 of 5

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