Rat

Are the effects of enrichment due to the presence of multiple items or a particular item in the cages of laboratory rat?

Although the effects of environmental enrichment on laboratory rodents have been extensively described, it is not yet known whether these effects were simply due to the presence of multiple items in the cage or due solely to the presence of...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Abou-Ismail, U. A. 2011. Are the effects of enrichment due to the presence of multiple items or a particular item in the cages of laboratory rat? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 134(1-2), 72-82.

Training rats to shift into clean cages by using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement

Changing soiled cages is an integral part of husbandry, yet it can be a source of stress for both animal and animal care technician. In one case, large geriatric rats weighing around 1 kg did not have a positive response...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Animal Training, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Severs, E., Leszcynski, J. 2012. Training rats to shift into clean cages by using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 632-633 (Abstract #PS8).

Rats housed on corncob bedding show less slow-wave sleep

Despite the reported advantages of corncob bedding, questions have emerged about how comfortable animals find this type of bedding as a resting surface. In this study, encephalography (EEG) was used to compare the effects of corncob and aspen-chip bedding on...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Leys, L. J., McGaraughty, S., Radek, R. J. 2012. Rats housed on corncob bedding show less slow-wave sleep. JAALAS 51(6), 764-768.

Effects of cage density, sanitation frequency, and bedding type on animal well-being and health and cage environment in mice and rats

Ongoing studies and historical data support the finding that deviations or exceptions from the cage density and sanitation frequency standards set forth in the Guide do not negatively affect animal health, welfare, or production parameters at our institution. These parameters...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Horn, M. J., Hudson, S. V., Bostrom, L. A. et al. 2012. Effects of cage density, sanitation frequency, and bedding type on animal well-being and health and cage environment in mice and rats. JAALAS 51(6), 781-788.

Handling of adolescent rats improves learning and memory and decreases anxiety

Some environmental interventions can result in physiologic and behavioral changes in laboratory animals. In this context, the handling of adolescent or adult rodents has been reported to influence exploratory behavior and emotionality. Here we examined the effects of handling on...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Costa, R., Tamascia, M. L., Nogueira, M. D. et al. 2012. Handling of adolescent rats improves learning and memory and decreases anxiety. JAALAS 51(5), 548-553.

A method for reliable voluntary oral administration of a fixed dosage (mg/kg) of chronic daily medication to rats

Stress can influence a number of physiological processes including adult neurogenesis, metabolism, cardiovascular function, immune function, neurophysiological function, endocrine function and inflammatory processes following injury. In testing drugs which may be used to treat various diseases or injuries, reducing stress...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Corbett, A., McGowin, A., Sieber, S. et al. 2012. A method for reliable voluntary oral administration of a fixed dosage (mg/kg) of chronic daily medication to rats. Laboratory Animals 46(4), 318-324.

Playful handling by caretakers reduces fear of humans in the laboratory rat

Handling of laboratory rats can increase physiological and emotional stress, leading to a fearful relationship with humans. We hypothesized that the affective quality of handling techniques used during routine care influences the animals' fear of humans. We assessed responses of...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Panksepp, J., Newberry, R. C. 2012. Playful handling by caretakers reduces fear of humans in the laboratory rat. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 140(3-4), 161-171.

Voluntary ingestion of nut paste for administration of buprenorphine in rats and mice

An adequate analgesic strategy is important to improve the postoperative recovery and welfare of laboratory rats and mice. It is desirable that the method for administering the drug is non-invasive and stress-free. We have previously validated a method for administering...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Abelson, K. S. P., Jacobsen, K. R., Sundbom, R. et al. 2012. Voluntary ingestion of nut paste for administration of buprenorphine in rats and mice. Laboratory Animals 46(4), 349-351.

Going back to nature: The benefits of wood enrichment

Environmental enrichment can be defined as altering the living environment of captive animals in order to provide them with opportunities to express more of their natural behavioral repertoire. The challenge of providing effective enrichment in laboratory species is to ensure...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Froberg-Fejko, K. M., Lecker, J. L. 2012. Going back to nature: The benefits of wood enrichment. Lab Animal 41(11), 345-347.

Playful handling as social enrichment for individually- and group-housed laboratory rats

Social housing is recommended for laboratory rats because they are highly social mammals but research constraints or medical issues often demand individual housing and, when social housing is practiced, it typically involves housing with only one or two conspecifics. We...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Baker, C., Wahl, K. et al. 2013. Playful handling as social enrichment for individually- and group-housed laboratory rats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 143(2-4), 85-95.