What is a common sign of pain in mice that should trigger analgesia or veterinary evaluation?

• A. Increased appetite.
• B. Grooming more frequently.
• C. Sleeping longer.
• D. Guarding, limping, reduced mobility, or reluctance to move.

Answer: (D)

Pain in mice is most reliably indicated by protective or avoidance behaviors that limit movement. When animals are in discomfort, they often guard the affected area, show limping or an abnormal gait, reduce their overall activity, and hesitate or refuse to move even when they normally would. These signs directly reflect distress and should prompt giving analgesia or seeking veterinary evaluation to relieve pain and identify the cause. Other potential signs like eating more, grooming more, or sleeping longer can occur for reasons unrelated to pain, so they aren’t as consistent indicators of discomfort as guarding, limping, reduced mobility, or reluctance to move.