Behavioural and EEG changes in sheep in response to painful acute electrical stimuli

Abstract

Objective To measure acute pain in sheep, based on a human pain model, and examined changes in both electroencephalogram frequency spectrum and behavioural responses to increased electrical stimulation in sheep. Design Analysis of variance (treatment and animal effects) for stimulus intensity where each animal received each electric shock treatment given in the order 0, 5, 10 and 20 mA. Procedure Eight sheep with electrodes implanted over the surface of the brain were examined for escape-avoidance and electroencephalogram responses to four levels of electrical stimulation from 0-20 mA. Results With increasing stimulus intensity at the time of feeding, the sheep were more hesitant to return t..