Zebrafish Health and Welfare Glossary - Welfare Terms, Appearance

APPEARANCE

ParameterWelfare IndicatorsSub Category Synonyms    Definitions

Severity  Score    

                        

Picture
GeneralLoss of Scales

Scales detached from body

Mild:                *Loss of  scales no more than 10% of body

Moderate:         Loss of scales no more than 20% of body

Severe:            Loss of scales, more than 20% of body  


Severity Score

  


General

Lesions all over


 Wound

     




Open- Abrasion
Damage to the skin consisting of loss of the epidermis and portions of the dermis but not the complete thickness of the skin.

Mild:                    *No more than 10% of body

Moderate:            Covering not more than 20% of body

Severe:     Covering more than 20% of body, open




Open - Incision
A wound created by a sharp object. Edges are smooth and trauma to surrounding tissue is minimal.

Mild:                   *No more than 10% of body

Moderate: Covering not more than 20% of body

Severe:     Covering more than 20% of body, open




Open - Laceration
An irregular wound created by tearing of tissue. Damage to both superficial and underlying tissue is variable.

Mild:                   *No more than 10% of body

Moderate: Covering not more than 20% of body

Severe:     Covering more than 20% of body, open




Open - Puncture
A penetrating wound caused by pointed object 

Mild:                   *No more than 10% of body

Moderate:    Covering not more than 20% of body

Severe:      Covering more than 20% of body, open




Closed - Contusion
Damage of the skin and /or underlying   structures without breaking the skin  e.g. bruising, crushing

Mild:                   *No more than 10% of body

Moderate:  Covering not more than 20% of body

Severe:     Covering more than 20% of body


GeneralSkin ulcers

Non-healing  erosions of skin

Mild:                   *No more than 10% of body

Moderate:  Covering not more than 20% of body

Severe:     Covering more than 20% of body, open

GeneralMultiple masses under skin

Swellings

Raised areas

Lumps

Abnormal   appearance of masses of all descriptions (hard, soft, different shapes etc.)

Mild:                       1 mass  under the skin / fins which is not affecting natural behavior

Moderate:    Multiple masses under the skin / fins which is not affecting natural behavior

Severe:       Multiple masses under the skin / fins and natural behavior affected

GeneralRaised scales

Protruding   scales

Scales        protruding    outwards from body

Mild:        *Protruding from body (raised)

Moderate: Protruding from body (raised), enlarged abdomen

Severe:   Protruding from body (raised), red enlarged abdomen 



GeneralObese

Large

Fat

Extremely fat, grossly overweight

GeneralWeight loss

Reduction in body weight compared to controls

Mild:          *Reduced body weight / thin compared to controls

Moderate:       Body  weight loss / thin, sunken abdomen compared to controls

Severe:            Body weight loss /thin, sunken abdomen, and muscle loss - emaciation


GeneralWeight gain

Increase in body weight compared to controls

GeneralThin
Emaciated skinnyLean or slender in formMild:          *Reduced body weight / thin compared to controls

Moderate:       Body  weight loss / thin, sunken abdomen compared to controls

Severe:            Body weight loss /thin, sunken abdomen, and muscle loss - emaciation

Normal

GeneralLonger body length

Longer than control from tip of head - base of tail

GeneralShorter body length

Shorter than control from tip of head - base of tail

GeneralOedema

An excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity

Mild:           *Oedema - low level and highly localized fluid accumulation in tissue

Moderate:    Oedema - increased fluid accumulation in one or many tissues

Severe:      Oedema - high fluid accumulation in one or multiple tissues


GeneralExcessive mucus

Excessive mucus     development on body

Mild:        *Increased mucus layer to no more than 10% of the body, normal behavior

Moderate: Increased mucus to more than 20% of the body, normal behavior

Severe:    Increased mucus to body of more than 20%, abnormal behavior


GeneralRed or white lesions

Discoloured lesions to the body and fins e.g. Parasitic lesionsMild:                   *No more than 10% of body                  


Moderate:   covering not more than 20% of body

Severe:      Covering more than 20% of body, open


GeneralWhite raised nodules
White       spotsWhite nodules covering the bodyMild:                     *1 under the skin / fins which is not affecting natural behavior

Moderate:    Multiple under the skin / fins which is not affecting natural behavior

Severe:       Multiple under the skin / fins and natural behavior affected


GeneralCurved spine

Kinked

Arched

Curvature of the spine, spinal deformities 

Mild:         Curvature of the spine not affecting natural behaviour or development

Moderate: Curvature of the spine effecting development

Severe:    Curvature of the spine, unable to perform natural behaviors and abnormal development

GeneralReduced / loss of mucus
Dryness to bodyReduced mucus development / loss of mucus resulting in dry patches

Mild:      *Decreased mucus layer causing dry area to no more than 10% of the body, normal behavior

Moderate: Decreased Mucus to more than 20% of the body, normal behavior

Severe:   Decreased mucus to the body of more than 20%, abnormal behavior


GeneralBubble formation

Bubbles within the skin, fins and gills

Mild:          *Bubbles formed under skin to one area of the body

Moderate:   Bubbles formed under skin to more than one area of the body

Severe:       Bubbles formed under skin to more than one area of the body, abnormal behavior


GeneralLoss of color

Pale

Dull

Loss of colouration to body not expected for  strain

Mild:                 Loss of body / fin coloration no more than 20% of body or fins

Moderate:        Loss of body / fin color not expected for strain, more than 20% of the body or fins

Severe:            Loss of body / fin color not expected for strain, more than 20% of body or fins. Additional signs of stress present such as increased operculum movement



GeneralDarkened colour

Darkened colouration to body not expected for strainMild:           Increase of body / fin coloration no more than 20% of body or fins

Moderate:   Increase of body / fin color not expected for strain, more than 20% of the body or fins

Severe:      Increase of body / fin color not expected for strain, more than 20% of body or fins. Additional signs of stress present such as increased operculum movement