![FELINE GRIMACE SCALE FACT SHEET
[photo of tabby cat upper face]
Evangelista et al. Facial expressions of pain in cats: the development and validation of a Feline Grimace Scale. Sci Rep 9, 19128 (2019)
WHY?
Pain-induced behavioral changes are unique in cats and can be subtle.
WHO?
• The instrument has been developed and validated to be used by veterinarians.
• It is currently under testing for use by other veterinary care professionals.
WHAT?
• The Feline Grimace Scale is a simple method of acute pain assessment. It is based on changes in facial expressions and can be easily and quickly performed in the clinical setting.
• It differentiates painful and non-painful cats and response to analgesic treatment.
WHEN?
• The FGS is used for acute pain assessment in cats with medical, surgical or oral pain, etc.
• Pain assessment should be performed as often as needed and on a case-by-case basis.
HOW?
There are five action units (AU):
• Ear position,
• Orbital tightening,
• Muzzle tension,
• Whiskers position
• Head position
Each unit is scored:
0 (absent),
1 (moderately present) or
2 (present)
• The final score is calculated by the sum of scores divided by the maximum possible scores
Analgesic treatment is suggested when the final score is 4/10 or O.4/1.0
Photo and line art of each state of cat.
O-AU is absent
• Ears facing forward
• Eyes opened
• Muzzle relaxed (round shape)
• Whiskers loose and curved
• Head above the shoulder line
1-AU is moderately present*
• Ears slightly pulled apart
• Eyes partially opened
• Muzzle mildly tense
• Whiskers slightly curved or straight
• Head aligned with the shoulder line
*The score of 1 can be also given when there is uncertainty over the presence or absence of the AU.
2-AU is markedly present
• Ears flattened and rotated outwards
• Squinted eyes
• Muzzle tense (elliptical shape)
• Whiskers straight and moving forward
• Head below the shoulder line or tilted down (chin towards the chest)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:guuo5qd76userziod6z3kmrx/bafkreig44i2tnto3xpsybxyhpykzl4iyochlepy7zi7iewllnh5y7rpnme)
FELINE GRIMACE SCALE FACT SHEET [photo of tabby cat upper face] Evangelista et al. Facial expressions of pain in cats: the development and validation of a Feline Grimace Scale. Sci Rep 9, 19128 (2019) WHY? Pain-induced behavioral changes are unique in cats and can be subtle. WHO? • The instrument has been developed and validated to be used by veterinarians. • It is currently under testing for use by other veterinary care professionals. WHAT? • The Feline Grimace Scale is a simple method of acute pain assessment. It is based on changes in facial expressions and can be easily and quickly performed in the clinical setting. • It differentiates painful and non-painful cats and response to analgesic treatment. WHEN? • The FGS is used for acute pain assessment in cats with medical, surgical or oral pain, etc. • Pain assessment should be performed as often as needed and on a case-by-case basis. HOW? There are five action units (AU): • Ear position, • Orbital tightening, • Muzzle tension, • Whiskers position • Head position Each unit is scored: 0 (absent), 1 (moderately present) or 2 (present) • The final score is calculated by the sum of scores divided by the maximum possible scores Analgesic treatment is suggested when the final score is 4/10 or O.4/1.0 Photo and line art of each state of cat. O-AU is absent • Ears facing forward • Eyes opened • Muzzle relaxed (round shape) • Whiskers loose and curved • Head above the shoulder line 1-AU is moderately present* • Ears slightly pulled apart • Eyes partially opened • Muzzle mildly tense • Whiskers slightly curved or straight • Head aligned with the shoulder line *The score of 1 can be also given when there is uncertainty over the presence or absence of the AU. 2-AU is markedly present • Ears flattened and rotated outwards • Squinted eyes • Muzzle tense (elliptical shape) • Whiskers straight and moving forward • Head below the shoulder line or tilted down (chin towards the chest)
This may help in figuring out if your cat is in pain, because cats are little sh*ts and won't tell you directly
#cat #cats #badcats #catsofbluesky
