Rodent

Combining melatonin with dexmedetomidine improves anesthesia in rats

Melatonin (ML) and dexmedetomidine (DM) are used separately as anesthetic premedication or as an anesthetic in humans and laboratory animals. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anesthetic properties of both drugs combined. The anesthetic effects of several combinations...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cogo Pagella, J., Rodríguez, M. F., Frisina, F. et al. 2024. Combining melatonin with dexmedetomidine improves anesthesia in rats. Laboratory Animals 58(3), 277–280.

Improving rat welfare through the development of a peribulbar anaesthesia technique for ophthalmic procedures: A preliminary study

Rats are a commonly used animal model for the study of the pathogenesis and novel treatments of glaucoma, which is induced experimentally using invasive, painful procedures. Peribulbar anaesthesia (PBA) is frequently used in people and domestic animals prior to ophthalmic...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Disease/Experimental ModelAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Eliav, A., Ofri, R., Brust, K. et al. 2024. Improving rat welfare through the development of a peribulbar anaesthesia technique for ophthalmic procedures: A preliminary study. Laboratory Animals 58(2), 116–126.

An exploratory interview study of researchers’ and technicians’ perceptions of rat tickling

This paper highlights the main themes which emerged from a study carried out with Animal Technicians and researchers to better understand: - perceptions of rat tickling - potential drivers and barriers to the uptake of tickling in a laboratory environment

Year Published: 2023Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Beechener, S., Brown, S., Bombail, V. et al. 2023. An exploratory interview study of researchers' and technicians' perceptions of rat tickling. Animal Technology and Welfare 22(3), 201–209.

The hard-hitting tooth—Does a scheduled teeth check reduce the number of mice found dead with malocclusion?

Malocclusion is a common dental disorder for laboratory mice. Characterised with improper alignment of teeth, if the incisors of the mouse have become overgrown or are missing it can significantly impact animal welfare. Malocclusion is evident around the first 2-5...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ciupa, J. 2023. The hard-hitting tooth—Does a scheduled teeth check reduce the number of mice found dead with malocclusion? Animal Technology and Welfare 22(3), 240–241.

An assessment of rat hammocks as enrichment

Research has shown there are numerous welfare and scientific benefits to housing rats in more enriched and environmentally complex housing opposed to conventional housing. With the aim of increasing environmental complexity, providing opportunities for climbing and exploring and providing additional...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hickman, M., Miller, L., MacDonald, R. 2023. An assessment of rat hammocks as enrichment. Animal Technology and Welfare 22(3), 221–223.

To wheel or not to wheel

Our study into the implementation of running wheels in overweight prone strains of mice and the potential integration of this practice into our mouse protocols.

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ives, P., Caygill, J. 2023. To wheel or not to wheel. Animal Technology and Welfare 22(3), 246–247.

Evaluation of score parameters for severity assessment of surgery and liver cirrhosis in rats

Severity assessment in animals is an ongoing field of research. In particular, the question of objectifiable and meaningful parameters of score-sheets, as well as their best combination, arise. This retrospective analysis investigates the suitability of a score-sheet for assessing severity...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Krueger, J. C., Habigt, M. A., Helmedag, M. J. et al. 2023. Evaluation of score parameters for severity assessment of surgery and liver cirrhosis in rats. Animal Welfare 32, e29.

Tamoxifen exacerbates morbidity and mortality in male mice receiving medetomidine anaesthesia

Tamoxifen-induced CreER-LoxP recombination is often used to induce spatiotemporally controlled gene deletion in genetically modified mice. Prior work has shown that tamoxifen and tamoxifen-induced CreER activation can have off-target effects that should be controlled. However, it has not yet been...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Disease/Experimental ModelAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Rashbrook, V. S., Denti, L., Ruhrberg, C. 2023. Tamoxifen exacerbates morbidity and mortality in male mice receiving medetomidine anaesthesia. Animal Welfare 32, e78.

Refining the welfare of immunocompromised mice receiving carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) to induce liver fibrosis

Our method provides evidence that we can alter CCI4 dosing and implement recovery techniques to enhance Animal Welfare, whilst maintaining sufficient levels of fibrosis in the liver.

Year Published: 2023Topics: Disease/Experimental ModelAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Walczak-Gillies, Matthews, O., Fyfe, A. et al. 2023. Refining the welfare of immunocompromised mice receiving carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) to induce liver fibrosis. Animal Technology and Welfare 22(3), 237–239.

Non-invasive assessment of positive affective state using infra-red thermography in rats

With recent increased focus on positive welfare in animal welfare science, there is demand for objective positive welfare indicators. It is unclear whether changes in body surface temperature can be used to non-invasively identify and quantify positive states in mammals....

Year Published: 2023Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Wongsaengchan, C., McCafferty, D. J., Lennox, K. et al. 2023. Non-invasive assessment of positive affective state using infra-red thermography in rats. Animal Welfare 32, e66.