Rat

Automated tracking of motion and body weight for objective monitoring of rats in colony housing

Living together in large social communities within an enriched environment stimulates self-motivated activity in rats. We developed a modular housing system in which a single unit can accommodate as many as 48 rats and contains multiple functional areas. This rat...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Brenneis, C., Westhof, A., Holschbach, J. et al. 2017. Automated tracking of motion and body weight for objective monitoring of rats in colony housing. JAALAS 56(1), 18-31.

Use of liposomal bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in an incisional pain model in rats (Rattus norvegicus)

The local anesthetic bupivacaine is valuable for perioperative analgesia, but its use in the postoperative period is limited by its short duration of action. Here, we evaluated the application of a slow-release liposomal formulation of bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia. The...

Year Published: 2017Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Kang, S. C., Jampachaisri, K., Seymour, T. L. et al. 2017. Use of liposomal bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in an incisional pain model in rats (Rattus norvegicus). JAALAS 56(1), 63-68.

Analgesic activity of tramadol and buprenorphine after voluntary ingestion by rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Effective pain management for rats and mice is crucial due to the continuing increase in the use of these species in biomedical research. Here we used a recently validated operant orofacial pain assay to determine dose–response curves for buprenorphine and...

Year Published: 2016Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Taylor, B. F., Ramirez, H. E., Battles, A. H. et al. 2016. Analgesic activity of tramadol and buprenorphine after voluntary ingestion by rats (Rattus norvegicus). JAALAS, 55(1), 74–82.

The suitability of propofol compared with urethane for anesthesia during urodynamic studies in rats

Urethane anesthesia preserves many reflex functions and is often the preferred anesthetic for urodynamic studies in rats. Because of the toxicity profile of urethane, its use as an anesthetic typically is limited to acute and terminal investigations. Alternative anesthetic options...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Moheban, A. A., Chang, H. H., Havton, L. A. 2016. The suitability of propofol compared with urethane for anesthesia during urodynamic studies in rats. JAALAS 55(1), 89–94.

Rat breeding parameters according to floor space available in cage

The cage floor space recommended for a female rat with a litter is greater in the 8th edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals than in previous editions. As a result, research institutions using commonly...

Year Published: 2016Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Allen, K. P., Dwinell, M. R., Zappa, A. M. et al. 2016. Rat breeding parameters according to floor space available in cage. JAALAS 55(1), 21–24.

Effect of 2 bedding materials on ammonia levels in individually ventilated cages

This study sought to identify an optimal rodent bedding and cage-change interval to establish standard procedures for the IVC in our rodent vivarium. Disposable cages were prefilled with either corncob or α-cellulose bedding and were used to house 2 adult...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Koontz, J. M., Kumsher, D. M., Kelly, R. 3rd et al. 2016. Effect of 2 bedding materials on ammonia levels in individually ventilated cages. JAALAS 55(1), 25–28.

Hydrophobic sand versus metabolic cages: A comparison of urine collection methods for rats (Rattus norvegicus)

A common method for urine collection from rats requires the use of a metabolic cage, thus exposing animals to extended periods of isolation in an unfamiliar cage with a wire-mesh floor. A new method involving hydrophobic sand, a material more...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hoffman, J. F., Fan, A. X., Neuendorf, E. H. et al. 2018. Hydrophobic sand versus metabolic cages: A comparison of urine collection methods for rats (Rattus norvegicus). JAALAS 57(1), 51-57.

Heating pad performance and efficacy of 2 durations of warming after isoflurane anesthesia of Sprague–Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Anesthetic agents depress thermoregulatory mechanisms, causing hypothermia within minutes of induction of general anesthesia. The consequences of hypothermia include delayed recovery and increased experimental variability. Even when normothermia is maintained during anesthesia, hypothermia may occur during recovery. The primary aim...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Zhang, E. Q., Knight, C. G., Pang, D. S. J. 2017. Heating pad performance and efficacy of 2 durations of warming after isoflurane anesthesia of Sprague–Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus). JAALAS 56(6), 786-791.

Review of CO2 as a euthanasia agent for laboratory rats and mice

Selecting an appropriate, effective euthanasia agent is controversial. Several recent publications provide clarity on the use of CO2 in laboratory rats and mice. This review examines previous studies on CO2 euthanasia and presents the current body of knowledge on the...

Year Published: 2017Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Boivin, G. P., Hickman, D. L., Creamer-Hente, M. A. et al. 2017. Review of CO2 as a euthanasia agent for laboratory rats and mice. JAALAS 56(5), 491-499.

A good death? Report of the second Newcastle meeting on laboratory animal euthanasia

Millions of laboratory animals are killed each year worldwide. There is an ethical, and in many countries also a legal, imperative to ensure those deaths cause minimal suffering. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding what methods of killing...

Year Published: 2016Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Fish, Mouse, Rat, Rodent, Zebrafish

Citation: Hawkins, P., Prescott, M., Carbone, L. et al. 2016. A good death? Report of the second Newcastle meeting on laboratory animal euthanasia. Animals 6(9), 50.