Rodent

Rat breeding parameters according to floor space available in cage

The cage floor space recommended for a female rat with a litter is greater in the 8th edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals than in previous editions. As a result, research institutions using commonly...

Year Published: 2016Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Allen, K. P., Dwinell, M. R., Zappa, A. M. et al. 2016. Rat breeding parameters according to floor space available in cage. JAALAS 55(1), 21–24.

Effect of 2 bedding materials on ammonia levels in individually ventilated cages

This study sought to identify an optimal rodent bedding and cage-change interval to establish standard procedures for the IVC in our rodent vivarium. Disposable cages were prefilled with either corncob or α-cellulose bedding and were used to house 2 adult...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Koontz, J. M., Kumsher, D. M., Kelly, R. 3rd et al. 2016. Effect of 2 bedding materials on ammonia levels in individually ventilated cages. JAALAS 55(1), 25–28.

Validation of a behavioral ethogram for assessing postoperative pain in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Although guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) have been used in research for more than a century and remain the most prevalent USDA-covered species, little has been elucidated regarding the recognition of clinical pain or analgesic efficacy in this species. We sought...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Dunbar, M. L., David, E. M., Aline, M. R. et al. 2016. Validation of a behavioral ethogram for assessing postoperative pain in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). JAALAS 55(1), 29–34.

Comparison of atipamezole with yohimbine for antagonism of xylazine in mice anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine

The α2 adrenergic agonist xylazine produces a sedative effect and is typically combined with ketamine and used for anesthesia or chemical restraint of laboratory mice. Xylazine's sedative effect—and its undesirable side effects of bradycardia, hypotension, and poor tissue perfusion—can be...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Janssen, C. F., Maiello, P., Wright Jr, M. J. et al. 2017. Comparison of atipamezole with yohimbine for antagonism of xylazine in mice anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine. JAALAS 56(2), 142-147.

Benefits of 21% oxygen compared with 100% oxygen for delivery of isoflurane to mice (Mus musculus) and rats (Rattus norvegicus)

At research institutions, isoflurane delivered by precision vaporizer to a face mask is the standard for rodent surgery and for procedures with durations that exceed a few minutes. Pure oxygen is often used as the carrier gas for isoflurane anesthesia,...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Wilding, L. A., Hampel, J. A., Khoury, B. M. et al. 2017. Benefits of 21% oxygen compared with 100% oxygen for delivery of isoflurane to mice (Mus musculus) and rats (Rattus norvegicus). JAALAS 56(2), 148-154.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of meloxicam and sustained-release buprenorphine in prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)

In this study, we evaluated the pharmacokinetic profiles of meloxicam and sustained-release (SR) buprenorphine in prairie dogs. The 4 treatment groups were: low-dose meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg SC), high-dose meloxicam (4 mg/kg SC), low-dose buprenorphine SR (0.9 mg/kg SC), and high-dose...

Year Published: 2017Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Cary, C. D., Lukovsky-Akhsanov, N. L., Gallardo-Romero, N. F. et al. 2017. Pharmacokinetic profiles of meloxicam and sustained-release buprenorphine in prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). JAALAS 56(2), 160-165.

A device that allows rodents to behaviorally thermoregulate when housed in vivariums

Laboratories and vivariums typically are maintained at ambient temperatures of 20 to 24 °C, leading to cold stress in mice. When mice are inactive and sleeping during the light phase, their zone of thermoneutrality associated with a basal metabolic rate...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Gordon, C. J., Puckett, E. T., Repasky, E. S. et al. 2017. A device that allows rodents to behaviorally thermoregulate when housed in vivariums. JAALAS 56(2), 173-176.

What goes around can come around: An unexpected deleterious effect of using mouse running wheels for environmental enrichment

Environmental enrichment items such as running wheels can promote the wellbeing of laboratory mice. Growing evidence suggests that wheel running simulates exercise effects in many mouse models of human conditions, but this activity also might change other aspects of mouse...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Leduc, R. Y. M., Rauw, G., Baker, G. B. et al. 2017. What goes around can come around: An unexpected deleterious effect of using mouse running wheels for environmental enrichment. JAALAS 56(2), 194-201.

Techniques for nonterminal blood sampling in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)

Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are used as an animal model for research on gallbladder stones and several infectious diseases. A comprehensive, instructive resource regarding the appropriate techniques for venipuncture and collection of nonterminal blood samples in this species has...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Head, V., Eshar, D., Nau, M. R. 2017. Techniques for nonterminal blood sampling in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). JAALAS 56(2), 210-213.

Evaluation of pain assessment techniques and analgesia efficacy in a female guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) model of surgical pain

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are a frequently used species in research, often involving potentially painful procedures. Therefore, evidence-based recommendations regarding analgesia are critically needed to optimize their wellbeing. Our laboratory examined the efficacy of carprofen and extended-release (ER) buprenorphine, alone...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Analgesia, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Oliver, V. L., Athavale, S., Simon, K. E. et al. 2017. Evaluation of pain assessment techniques and analgesia efficacy in a female guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) model of surgical pain. JAALAS 56(4), 425-435.