Rodent

Analgesics promote welfare and sustain tumour growth in orthotopic 4T1 and B16 mouse cancer models

Murine orthotopic cancer models often require surgery, potentially causing pain or distress. However, analgesics are often withheld because they may alter tumour development. Two orthotopically implanted cancers were investigated in mice pre-treated with meloxicam (10 mg/kg), buprenorphine (0.2 mg/kg) or...

Year Published: 2018Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Lofgren, J., Miller, A. L., Shan Lee, C. C. et al. 2018. Analgesics promote welfare and sustain tumour growth in orthotopic 4T1 and B16 mouse cancer models. Laboratory Animals 52(4), 351-364.

Electroencephalographic responses of anaesthetised rats to carbon dioxide inhalation

Exposure to high concentrations of CO2 is a common means of stunning and killing laboratory rodents. However, there is concern regarding the potential for animals to have aversive experiences, such as pain or breathlessness, prior to loss of awareness. This...

Year Published: 2018Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Kells, N. J., Beausoleil, N. J., Sutherland, M. A. et al. 2018. Electroencephalographic responses of anaesthetised rats to carbon dioxide inhalation. Animal Welfare 27(3), 215-223.

Hang on: An evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice

When introducing environmental enrichment in laboratory animals, positive and/or negative effects on behavioural and physiological parameters should be evaluated. This three-step randomised controlled trial in male C57BL/6 mice investigated the effect of supplementing the environment with one or more hemp...

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

Citation: Gjendal, K., Sørensen, D. B., Kiersgaard, M. K. et al. 2017. Hang on: An evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice. Animal Welfare 26(4), 437-447.

Specific 50-kHz vocalizations are tightly linked to particular types of behavior in juvenile rats anticipating play

Rat ultrasonic vocalizations have been suggested to be either a byproduct of physical movement or, in the case of 50-kHz calls, a means to communicate positive affect. Yet there are up to 14 distinct types of 50-kHz calls, raising issues...

Year Published: 2017Topics: VocalizationAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Burke, C. J., Kisko, T. M., Swiftwolfe, H. et al. 2017. Specific 50-kHz vocalizations are tightly linked to particular types of behavior in juvenile rats anticipating play. PLOS ONE 12(5), e0175841.

The gingival vein as a minimally traumatic site for multiple blood sampling in guinea pigs and hamsters

Laboratory animals are still necessary in scientific investigation and vaccine testing, but while novel methodological approaches are not available for their replacement, the search for new, humane, easy, and painless methods is necessary to diminish their stress and pain. When...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Rodrigues, M. V., de Castro, S. O., de Albuquerque, C. Z. 2017. The gingival vein as a minimally traumatic site for multiple blood sampling in guinea pigs and hamsters. PLOS ONE 12(5), e0177967.

Is there a reasonable excuse for not providing post-operative analgesia when using animal models of peripheral neuropathic pain for research purposes?

Introduction: The induction of neuropathic pain-like behaviors in rodents often requires surgical intervention. This engages acute nociceptive signaling events that contribute to pain and stress post-operatively that from a welfare perspective demands peri-operative analgesic treatment. However, a large number of...

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

Citation: Hestehave, S., Munro, G., Christensen, R. et al. 2017. Is there a reasonable excuse for not providing post-operative analgesia when using animal models of peripheral neuropathic pain for research purposes? PLOS ONE 12(11), e0188113.

Repeated anaesthesia with isoflurane and medetomidine-midazolam-fentanyl in guinea pigs and its influence on physiological parameters

Repeated anaesthesia may be required in experimental protocols and in daily veterinary practice, but anaesthesia is known to alter physiological parameters in GPs (Cavia porcellus, GPs). This study investigated the effects of repeated anaesthesia with either medetomidine-midazolam-fentanyl (MMF) or isoflurane...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Schmitz, S., Tacke, S., Guth, B. et al. 2017. Repeated anaesthesia with isoflurane and medetomidine-midazolam-fentanyl in guinea pigs and its influence on physiological parameters. PLOS ONE 12(3), e0174423.

Epileptiform activity during inert gas euthanasia of mice

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most commonly used euthanasia agents for mice, yet it is highly aversive and nociceptive. Inert gases are a possible alternative, however there are qualitative reports of seizures resulting from exposure. Here we evaluate...

Year Published: 2018Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gent, T. C., Detotto, C., Vyssotski, A. L. et al. 2018. Epileptiform activity during inert gas euthanasia of mice. PLOS ONE 13(4), e0195872.

Facial indicators of positive emotions in rats

Until recently, research in animal welfare science has mainly focused on negative experiences like pain and suffering, often neglecting the importance of assessing and promoting positive experiences. In rodents, specific facial expressions have been found to occur in situations thought...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Finlayson, K., Lampe, J. F., Hintze, S. 2016. Facial indicators of positive emotions in rats. PLOS ONE 11(11), e0166446.

The influence of isoflurane anaesthesia on the rat grimace scale

Over 234,000 rats were used in regulated procedures in the UK in 2014, many of which may have resulted in some degree of pain. When using animals in research, there is an ethical and legal responsibility to alleviate or at...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Miller, A. L., Golledge, H. D. R., Leach, M. C. 2016. The influence of isoflurane anaesthesia on the rat grimace scale. PLOS ONE 11(11), e0166652.