Stimulus response 1) Approach response: Slowly move the tip of a dull object (e.g., tweezers) up to 2-3 cm in front of the animal and hold there for 4 seconds. Choose the item from the following list that best describes the animal's reaction to the dull object (scored).
1: No reaction 2: Slowly approaches, sniffs and pulls back/normal 3: Twitches (muscular tenseness) 4: Exhibits a violent overreaction such as jumping, biting, squeaking or attack
2) Touch response: Choose the item from the following list that best describes the animal's reaction to being gently touched on the abdomen with a dull object (e.g., tweezers) (scored).
1: No reaction 2: Slowly retreats/normal 3: Twitches (muscular tenseness) 4: Exhibits a violent overreaction such as jumping, biting, squeaking or attack
3) Eyelid reflex: Choose the item from the following list that best describes the animal's reflex upon being touched on the eyelid with a dull object (e.g., tweezers) (scored).
1: Does not blink 2: Blinks/normal
4) Pinna reflex: Choose the item from the following list that best describes the animal's twitch reflex upon being touched on the auricle with a dull object (e.g., tweezers) (scored).
1: Auricle does not twitch 2: Auricle twitches/normal
5) Sound response: Choose the item from the following list that best describes the twitch reflex of the animal's body upon having a clicker sounded approximately 5 cm from its back (scored).
1: No reaction 2: Mild reaction, hears sound/normal 3: Twitches (muscular tension)
6) Tail pinch response: Choose the item from the following list that best describes the animal's response to pain upon having the base of its tail squeezed with tweezers or a similar implement (scored).
1: No reaction 2: Looks back, moves forward and lightly squeaks/normal 3: Twitches (muscular tension) 4: Exhibits a violent overreaction such as jumping, biting, squeaking or attack
7) Pupillary reflex: Shine a penlight in the animal's eyes (scored).
1: Does not contract 2: Contracts
8) Righting reflex: Choose the item from the following list that best describes the animal's response to being dropped, belly up, from a height of 30 cm. Skip if animal is paralyzed or in an extremely poor state (scored).
1: Lands on four limbs/normal 2: All limbs do not touch at once 3: Lands on side 4: Lands on back