Rodent

Minimal exposure times for irreversible euthanasia with carbon dioxide in mice and rats

When using an anesthetic overdose to euthanize laboratory rodents, a secondary method of euthanasia is recommended to ensure that the apparent death is irreversible. This secondary method usually is accomplished through the collection of tissues that are required to complete...

Year Published: 2022Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hickman, D. L. 2022. Minimal exposure times for irreversible euthanasia with carbon dioxide in mice and rats. JAALAS 61(3), 283-286.

A comparison of blood collection techniques in mice and their effects on welfare

Multiple methods are used to collect blood from mice; these methods have different effects on animal welfare. This study compared blood collection from facial, chin, and saphenous locations with regard to various parameters, including the time needed to collect blood,...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ahrens Kress, A. P., Zhang, Y., Kaiser-Vry, A. R. et al. 2022. A Comparison of blood collection techniques in mice and their effects on welfare. JAALAS 61(3), 287-295.

Physiologic and behavioral effects in mice anesthetized with isoflurane in a red-tinted or a traditional translucent chamber

Isoflurane has been characterized as a distressing agent for rodents, causing both physiologic and behavioral effects. Using a "darkened home cage" has been recommended during CO2 administration for rodent euthanasia; this is arguably a similar animal experience to anesthetic induction...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: McKinney, M. M., Dupont, W. D., Corson, K. J. et al. 2022. Physiologic and behavioral effects in mice anesthetized with isoflurane in a red-tinted or a traditional translucent chamber. JAALAS 61(4), 322-332.

Using sterile flocked swabs as an alternative method for rodent health monitoring

Routine health monitoring is an integral part of managing SPF rodent colonies. In recent years, rack-level environmental sampling has been introduced as an adjunct method or replacement for exposure of sentinel rodents to soiled bedding. However, rack-level environmental monitoring is...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Varela, M. M. D., Bibay, J. I. A., Ogden, B. E. et al. 2022. Using sterile flocked swabs as an alternative method for rodent health monitoring. JAALAS 61(4), 370-380.

Assessment of the safety and efficacy of pre-emptive use of extended-release buprenorphine for mouse laparotomy

Buprenorphine is commonly used to control postoperative pain in rodents. Short-acting formulations of buprenorphine (bup-HCl) require frequent handling and restraint of animals for appropriate dosing, which can be stressful and confound research outcomes. Ethiqa XR (bup-ER) is an FDA-indexed extended-release...

Year Published: 2022Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Chan, G., Si, C., Nichols, M. R. et al. 2022. Assessment of the safety and efficacy of pre-emptive use of extended-release buprenorphine for mouse laparotomy. JAALAS 61(4), 381-387.

Housing and husbandry alternatives for naked mole rat colonies used in research settings

Naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) are a unique rodent species originating in Africa and are increasingly being used in research. Their needs and characteristics differ from those of other rodents used in research. Unique housing systems are necessary to address...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Ragland, N. H., Compo, N. R., Wiltshire, N. et al. 2022. Housing and husbandry alternatives for naked mole rat colonies used in research settings. JAALAS 61(5), 412-418.

Ecology and social behaviour of the Mongolian gerbil: A generalised review

The present review provides a compilation of the published data on the ecology and social behaviour of Mongolian gerbils. Behavioural observations in the wild show that the Mongolian gerbil is a diurnal social rodent living in extended family groups. Seasonal...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Gerbil, Rodent

Citation: Gromov, V. 2022. Ecology and social behaviour of the Mongolian gerbil: A generalised review. Behaviour 159(5), 403-441.

Effect of different ambient temperatures on reproductive outcome and stress level of lactating females in two mouse strains

Ambient temperature is an important non-biotic environmental factor influencing immunological and oncological parameters in laboratory mice. It is under discussion which temperature is more appropriate and whether the commonly used room temperature in rodent facilities of about 21 °C represents...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Kolbe, T., Lassnig, C., Poelzl, A. et al. 2022. Effect of different ambient temperatures on reproductive outcome and stress level of lactating females in two mouse strains. Animals 12(16), 2141.

Impact of refinements to handling and restraint methods in mice

There is increasing evidence that, compared to non-aversive handling methods (i.e., tunnel and cupping), tail handling has a negative impact on mouse welfare. Despite this evidence, there are still research organisations that continue to use tail handling. Here, we investigated...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Handling, RestraintAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Davies, J. R., Purawijaya, D. A., Bartlett, J. M. et al. 2022. Impact of refinements to handling and restraint methods in mice. Animals 12(17), 2173.

Report of the 2021 RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group meeting

The RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group has held a one-day meeting every autumn for the last 28 years, so that its members can discuss current welfare research, exchange views on welfare issues and share experiences of the implementation of the 3Rs...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Stevens, C., Dobbinson, K., Brook, E. et al. 2022. Report of the 2021 RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group meeting. Animal Technology and Welfare 21(2), 83-91.