Rat

Individual differences in rat sensitivity to CO2

Feelings of fear, anxiety, dyspnea and panic when inhaling carbon dioxide (CO2) are variable among humans, in part due to differences in CO2 sensitivity. Rat aversion to CO2 consistently varies between individuals; this variation in aversion may reflect CO2 sensitivity,...

Year Published: 2021Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Améndola, L., Ratuski, A., Weary, D. M. 2021. Individual differences in rat sensitivity to CO2. PLOS ONE 16(1), e0245347.

Sustained release buprenorphine effectively attenuates postoperative hypersensitivity in an incisional pain model in neonatal rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Despite the need for safe and effective postoperative analgesia in neonates, research regarding pain management in neonatal rodents is relatively limited. Here, we investigate whether sustained release buprenorphine (Bup SR) effectively attenuates thermal hypersensitivity in a neonatal rat model of...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Analgesia, Disease/Experimental ModelAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Blaney, A., Jampachaisri, K., Huss, M. K. et al. 2021. Sustained release buprenorphine effectively attenuates postoperative hypersensitivity in an incisional pain model in neonatal rats (Rattus norvegicus). PLOS ONE 16(2), e0246213.

Buprenorphine, but not lidocaine, effectively attenuates post-operative thermal hypersensitivity in an incisional model in neonatal rats (Rattus norvegicus)

There is limited information on safe and effective neonatal rodent analgesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and duration of analgesia provided by buprenorphine (Bup) and lidocaine (Lid) in an incisional pain model. Male and female...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Analgesia, Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Katz, E. M., Huss, M. K., Jampachaisri, K. et al. 2021. Buprenorphine, but not lidocaine, effectively attenuates post-operative thermal hypersensitivity in an incisional model in neonatal rats (Rattus norvegicus). Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science 47(1), 1-11.

Estimating mouse and rat use in American laboratories by extrapolation from Animal Welfare Act-regulated species

Alone among Western nations, the United States has a two-tier system for welfare protections for vertebrate animals in research. Because its Animal Welfare Act (AWA) excludes laboratory rats and mice (RM), government veterinarians do not inspect RM laboratories and RM...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Carbone, L. 2021. Estimating mouse and rat use in American laboratories by extrapolation from Animal Welfare Act-regulated species. Scientific Reports 11(1), 493.

Drip, drop…drip, drop – How do I make it stop?

Whether you are an animal care/husbandry technician, facility manager, or veterinarian, everyone bemoans a leaky drinking valve (often referred to as a lixit). Leaking drinking valves and flooded cages are a fairly common problem when using automatic watering systems (or...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: All/General, Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Webb, L. 2021. Drip, drop…drip, drop – How do I make it stop? Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(2) (March/April), 36-38.

Hypothermia during general anesthesia interferes with pain assessment in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Accurate pain assessment methods are necessary to ensure animal welfare and reliable data collection in animal research. The Rat Grimace Scale (RGS), a facial expression pain scale, allows effective identification of pain. However, the potential confounds of this method remain...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Surgery & Post-Op, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Klune, C. B., Robbins, H. N. K., Leung, V. et al. 2020. Hypothermia during general anesthesia interferes with pain assessment in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus). JAALAS 59(6), 719-725.

Intraperitoneal alfaxalone and alfaxalone–dexmedetomidine anesthesia in Sprague–Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Due to their unpredictability and variable effects, injectable anesthetic regimens in laboratory rodent species warrant refinement. In our study we sought to evaluate alfaxalone, which has gained recent popularity in veterinary medicine, alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine to evaluate...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: West, S. E., Lee, J. C., Johns, T. N. et al. 2020. Intraperitoneal alfaxalone and alfaxalone–dexmedetomidine anesthesia in Sprague–Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus). JAALAS 59(5), 531-538.

Injection-site reactions to sustained-release meloxicam in Sprague–Dawley rats

An extended-release formulation of the NSAID meloxicam (MSR) is used to provide 72 h of continuous analgesia in many species, including rodents. Although standard formulations of meloxicam are frequently used in rats with no observable injection-site reactions, the potential adverse...

Year Published: 2020Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Stewart, L. A., Imai, D. M., Beckett, L. et al. 2020. Injection-site reactions to sustained-release meloxicam in Sprague–Dawley rats. JAALAS 59(6), 726-731.

Conspecific presence improves episodic-like memory in rats

A number of studies have provided evidence that animals, including rats, remember past episodes. However, few experiments have addressed episodic-like memory from a social perspective. In the present study, we evaluated Wistar rats in the WWWhen/ELM task as single setups...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: de França Malheiros, M. A. S., Castelo-Branco, R., de Medeiros, P. H. S. et al 2021. Conspecific presence improves episodic-like memory in rats. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 14, 572150.

Automated and continuous monitoring of animal welfare through digital alerting

A primary goal in preclinical animal research is respectful and responsible care aimed toward minimizing stress and discomfort while enhancing collection of accurate and reproducible scientific data. Researchers use hands-on clinical observations and measurements as part of routine husbandry procedures...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Humane Endpoint, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Do, J. P., Defensor, E. B., Ichim, C. V. et al. 2020. Automated and continuous monitoring of animal welfare through digital alerting. Comparative Medicine 70(4), 313-327.