Rodent

The effect of dividing walls, a tunnel, and restricted feeding on cardiovascular responses to cage change and gavage in rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Cage change and gavage are routine procedures in animal facilities, yet little is known about whether housing modifications change responses to these procedures. Telemetric activity and cardiovascular parameters were assessed in this experiment. BN and F344 male rats were housed...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Kemppinen, N. M., Meller, A. S., Mauranen, K. O. et al. 2009. The effect of dividing walls, a tunnel, and restricted feeding on cardiovascular responses to cage change and gavage in rats (Rattus norvegicus) . Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science] 48(2), 157-165.

Effects of physical activiy and group size on animal welfare in laboratory rats

Ras kept in larger groups had more social interactions and an improved performance in the exercise test and did also show more explorative activity and reduced emotional reactivity.''

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Spangenberg, E., Dahlborn, K., Ess?n-Gustavsson, B. et al. 2009. Effects of physical activiy and group size on animal welfare in laboratory rats. Animal Welfare 8, 159-169.

Lab toys – How does cage enrichment affect rodents?

Excellent review of practical questions pertaining to environmental enrichment for rats and mice.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Katsnelson, A. 2009. Lab toys - How does cage enrichment affect rodents? The Scientist 23(10), 30.

Effects of environmental enrichment on the amyotrophic lateral sclerois mouse model

The manner in which an animal's environment is furnished may have significant implications for animal welfare as well as research outcomes. We evaluated four different housing conditions to determine the effects of what has been considered standard rodent enrichment and...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sorrells, D. A., Corcoran-Gomez, K., Eckert, K. A. et al. 2009. Effects of environmental enrichment on the amyotrophic lateral sclerois mouse model. Lab Animal 43, 182-190.

Studies and snack bites

Veterinary technician Evelyn Skoumbourdis and environmental enrichment coordinator Casey Coke Murphy discuss proper feeding of small laboratory mammals.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Rabbit, Rodent

Citation: Skoumbourdis, E., Coke Murphy, C. 2009. Studies and snack bites. Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Quarterly 58(1) Winter, 12-13.

Continuous group housing standard for general toxicology studies as a form of environmental enrichment

Primates, dogs and rodents on general toxicology studies are group-housed.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Dog, Nonhuman Primate, Rodent

Citation: Spratley, M. T., Cork, K. 2009. Continuous group housing standard for general toxicology studies as a form of environmental enrichment. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 117 (Abstract).

Physiological and behavioural responses of laboratory rats housed at different tier levels and levels of visual contact with conspecifics and humans

Laboratory rats are typically housed in clear or opaque cages on multi-tiered racks. Clear-walled cages allow a view of the room and facilitate visual social contact with neighbouring rats but may induce anxiety due to lack of visual cover. We...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Newberry, R. C. 2010. Physiological and behavioural responses of laboratory rats housed at different tier levels and levels of visual contact with conspecifics and humans. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 125(1-2), 69-79.

Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment

Environmental enrichment must be provided for the various animal species that are housed in laboratory animal facilities. Wheatgrass can be used as a natural form of enrichment that requires minimal preparation and effort. Wheatgrass is appropriate enrichment for cats, rabbits,...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Cat, Chicken, Finch, Guinea Pig, Mouse, Other Bird, Parrot, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Brown, C. 2010. Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment. Lab Animal 39(3), 74-75.

Enrichment and behavioral management programs around the world

To do justice to the diverse approaches to enrichment and behavioral management around the world would entail a discussion beyond the limits of this publication. Therefore, guidelines and regulations in a representative sample of countries in select regions of the...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: All/General, Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Bayne, K. 2010. Enrichment and behavioral management programs around the world. Enrichment Record 4, 4-7.

Housing mice on corncob bedding verus hardwood chip may confound research models

The result demonstrates that bedding material, a variable not often considered in research, could have profound influence on the data for many studies of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or metabolism.

Year Published: 2010Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Zahorsky-Reeves, J., Castellani, L. W. 2010. Housing mice on corncob bedding verus hardwood chip may confound research models. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 655 (Abstract #PS2).