Creating better pain management methods for food animals
Official title: Development and validation of pain models in food animals
Funded at Kansas State University · NIH-11162108 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to better understand and manage pain in farm animals like pigs, goats, and calves during common procedures, so we can help them feel more comfortable and improve their care on farms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kansas State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhattan, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $913,626 |
| NIH project number | 1U18FD008474-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11162108 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are food animals, particularly piglets, goats, and calves, that undergo painful procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who may not receive benefit from this research include animals not involved in agricultural practices or those not subjected to painful procedures.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and validating pain models specifically for food animals like pigs, goats, and calves. It aims to address the painful procedures these animals undergo, such as tail docking and castration, and improve the use of analgesics on farms. By evaluating both behavioral outcomes and biological markers of pain, the research seeks to enhance the understanding of pain management in livestock, ultimately leading to better pain relief protocols that comply with regulations. The goal is to ensure animal welfare while maintaining consumer confidence in livestock production.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management practices in food animals, enhancing their welfare and safety.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of developing pain models for food animals is innovative, there have been previous studies focusing on pain management in livestock that have shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
Kansas State University
Manhattan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Apley, Michael Douglas — Kansas State University
- Study coordinator: Apley, Michael Douglas
Related research
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Pain relief research for food animals (models to test analgesics)
Researchers are developing reliable ways to test pain relief drugs for pigs, calves, and goats to help farmers keep animals comfortable.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.