Maria Eugênia Maçaneiro: Objective Piglet Pain Assessment | Ep. 232
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Maria Eugênia Maçaneiro, a Graduate Research Assistant at Kansas State University, explains how piglet facial grimace scales can support pain assessment. She discusses facial indicators, observer reliability, behavioral validation, scoring methods, and image collection challenges in farm environments. Learn how more objective pain recognition could strengthen pain management and animal welfare decisions. Listen now on all major platforms!
"The facial grimace scale could help veterinarians, researchers, and producers recognize piglet pain faster and make better pain management decisions."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Maria Eugênia Gaya Maçaneiro is a Graduate Research Assistant and PhD student in Animal Behavior and Ethology at Kansas State University. Her work focuses on practical methods for assessing piglet pain through facial images, supporting more objective animal welfare decisions. She holds a master’s degree in Animal Sciences from Kansas State University. Learn more from Maria Eugênia Maçaneiro on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:22) Introduction
- (02:17) Grimace scale basics
- (04:42) Observer reliability
- (06:01) Behavioral validation
- (07:22) Pain scoring range
- (08:24) Welfare applications
- (11:32) Closing thoughts
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