Rodent

Assessment of pain associated with the injection of sodium pentobarbital in laboratory mice (Mus musculus)

The AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals considers injection of barbiturates to be an acceptable method of euthanasia in rodents but states there is a potential for pain when administered intraperitoneally. This study examined the potential for pain in...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Drug/Substance Administration, EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Dutton III, J. W., Artwohl, J. E., Huang, X. et al. 2019. Assessment of pain associated with the injection of sodium pentobarbital in laboratory mice (Mus musculus). JAALAS 58(3), 373-379.

Clinical, physiologic, and behavioral evaluation of permanently catheterized NMRI mice

Vascular catheterization is becoming a popular technique in laboratory rodents, facilitating repetitive blood sampling and infusion in individual animals. In mice, catheterization is complicated by their small body size, which may increase the risk of postoperative complications that may both...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Cannulation, Catheterization, & IntubationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Falkenberg, M. K., Teilmann, A. C., Henriksen, T. et al. 2019. Clinical, physiologic, and behavioral evaluation of permanently catheterized NMRI mice. JAALAS 58(3), 380-389.

The role of emotional contagion in the distress exhibited by grouped mice exposed to CO2

The 2013 AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals recommends a chamber volume displacement rate of 10% to 30% per minute (v/min) when euthanizing small laboratory rodents with CO2. Group euthanasia of mice is a common practice, and grouping strangers...

Year Published: 2019Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Moffitt, A. D., Brignolo, L. L., Ardeshir, A. et al. 2019. The role of emotional contagion in the distress exhibited by grouped mice exposed to CO2. JAALAS 58(4), 430-437.

Physiologic stress of ear punch identification compared with restraint only in mice

Social housing of laboratory rodents is recommended whenever possible to encourage natural behavior and social dynamics. Several identification methods are used to distinguish rodents from one another. One of the most common means of identifying mice is ear punching. The...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Identification MethodAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Taitt, K. T., Kendall, L. V. 2019. Physiologic stress of ear punch identification compared with restraint only in mice. JAALAS 58(4), 438-442.

Evaluation of a 16-week change cycle for ventilated mouse cages

The methods and conditions for housing research mice have been the subject of many discussions and publications in recent years. At our institution, we began to explore these matters with the goal of reducing stress in the animals and yet...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Taylor, J. L., Noel, P., Mickelsen, M. 2019. Evaluation of a 16-week change cycle for ventilated mouse cages. JAALAS 58(4), 443-449.

Comparison of isoflurane, ketamine-dexmedetomidine, and ketamine-xylazine for general anesthesia during oral procedures in rice rats (Oryzomys palustris)

Rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) are an unconventional laboratory species that has been used to study photoperiodicity, periodontitis, and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Interventional procedures that require anesthesia, including oral procedures, are sometimes necessary in preclinical settings. The use of anesthetics...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Disease/Experimental ModelAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Jiron, J. M., Mendieta Calle, J. L., Castillo, E. J. et al. 2019. Comparison of isoflurane, ketamine-dexmedetomidine, and ketamine-xylazine for general anesthesia during oral procedures in rice rats (Oryzomys palustris). JAALAS 58(1), 40-49.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine-ketamine-midazolam and isoflurane for anesthesia of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)

Few studies evaluate anesthesia in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Isoflurane inhalant anesthesia is used in this species most commonly, but injectable protocols are poorly described. Here we compared the physiologic effects, including anesthetic depth, vital signs, and hematologic changes,...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Browning, G. R., Eshar, D., Beaufrere, H. 2019. Comparison of dexmedetomidine-ketamine-midazolam and isoflurane for anesthesia of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). JAALAS 58(1), 50-57.

Identifying and implementing endpoints for geriatric mice

The types of changes in physical appearance and behavior that occur in elderly people similarly develop in elderly animals. Signs and symptoms that might cause concern in younger people or mice may be normal in their elderly but generally healthy...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Humane EndpointAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Toth, L. A. 2018. Identifying and implementing endpoints for geriatric mice. Comparative Medicine 68(6), 439–451.

Immunomodulatory effects of stress and environmental enrichment in Long–Evans rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Stress can influence the secretion of neuroendocrine mediators, thereby exposing immune cells to altered signaling and interactions. Here we investigated the synergetic effect of stress and environmental enrichment on the immune response of Long–Evans rats. Subjects (n = 46) were...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Scarola, S. J., Perdomo Trejo, J. R., Granger, M. E. et al. 2019. Immunomodulatory effects of stress and environmental enrichment in Long–Evans rats (Rattus norvegicus). Comparative Medicine 69(1), 35–47.

Monitoring the health status of mice with bleomycin-induced lung injury by using body condition scoring

Well-defined, humane endpoints aid in monitoring animal health status during disease development. Body condition scoring (BCS) is a method for assessing health status in mouse studies where wasting and death are potential endpoints. Whether BCS is useful in monitoring animals...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Humane EndpointAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Cowley, P. M., Roberts, C. R., Baker, A. J. 2019. Monitoring the health status of mice with bleomycin-induced lung injury by using body condition scoring. Comparative Medicine 69(2), 95–102.