Publications

Preference of dogs towards feeding toys made of natural rubber, and their potential to improve canine behaviour: A study based on owners’ observations

Improper feeding methods can be linked to canine behaviour problems, as the conventional bowl-feeding approach fail to mimic natural behaviour and is associated with obesity. Feeding toys can potentially contribute to the enhancement of dog behaviour by mimicking natural hunting...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Boonhoh, W., Saramolee, P., Sriphavatsarakom, P. et al. 2024. Preference of dogs towards feeding toys made of natural rubber, and their potential to improve canine behaviour: A study based on owners' observations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 270, 106142.

Effects of extended-release buprenorphine on mouse models of influenza

Mice are widely used as small animal models for influenza infection and immunization studies because of their susceptibility to many strains of influenza, obvious clinical signs of infection, and ease of handling. Analgesia is rarely used in such studies even...

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

Citation: Brake, M. E., Russ, B. P., Gansebom, S. et al. 2023. Effects of extended-release buprenorphine on mouse models of influenza. Comparative Medicine 73(6), 466–473.

The anaesthetic effects of ketamine/xylazine/midazolam in C57Bl/6JRj mice

We wished to improve the efficacy and safety of ketamine/xylazine anaesthesia in C57Bl/6JRj mice and achieve a surgical anaesthesia lasting 20-30 minutes, aiming at fewer anaesthesia related deaths and using the subcutaneous injection route to inflict less stress and pain...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Buhr, P., Kolstrup, S., Nikolajsen, L.-L. et al. 2023. The anaesthetic effects of ketamine/xylazine/midazolam in C57Bl/6JRj mice. Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science 49, 21–27.

Lifting laboratory rats: A survey of methods, handlers’ reasons and concerns, and rat behavioural responses

Lifting mice by the tail is of animal welfare and scientific concern, but rat lifting methods are little researched, potentially differing from mice. Using an online questionnaire we explored different methods for lifting laboratory rats, alongside handlers' reasons and concerns,...

Year Published: 2023Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Burn, C. C., Camacho, T., Hockenhull, J. 2023. Lifting laboratory rats: A survey of methods, handlers' reasons and concerns, and rat behavioural responses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 268, 106077.

Which form of environmental enrichment is most effective in rodent models of autism?

Environmental enrichment (EE) is known to produce experience-dependent changes in the brains and behaviors of rodents, and it has therefore been widely used to study neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. Current studies show significant protocol variation, such as the presence of...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Caires, C. R. S., Bossolani-Martins, A. L. 2023. Which form of environmental enrichment is most effective in rodent models of autism? Behavioural Processes 211, 104915.

Effects of litter size and caging on physical and mental development in rats

As a multidisciplinary field, laboratory animal science promotes or accelerates the emergence of innovative ideas and products. As research has increased, so has the demand for laboratory animals with reliable, standardized characteristics. Thus, the breeding, reproduction, and welfare of laboratory...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Calisir, M., Yilmaz, O., Kolatan, H. E. et al. 2023. Effects of litter size and caging on physical and mental development in rats. Physiology & Behavior 267, 114200.

Evaluation of disinfection methods for artificial plants in zebrafish (Danio rerio) recirculating water systems

The use of artificial plants as environmental enrichment for zebrafish (Danio rerio) in biomedical research facilities has been shown to provide benefits in animal welfare and care. Despite the benefits of artificial plants to zebrafish welfare, some research facilities are...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Camson, C. T., Palillo, J. A., Fehrenbach, L. A. et al. 2023. Evaluation of disinfection methods for artificial plants in zebrafish (Danio rerio) recirculating water systems. JAALAS 62(6), 512–517.

Measuring motivation for alfalfa hay in feedlot cattle using voluntary interaction with an aversive stimulus

Typical diets for finishing cattle are concentrate-rich and low in roughage, which may limit species-specific feeding behaviours and increase the risk of digestive disorder. Our objective was to measure how motivated finishing steers are to access alfalfa hay compared with...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Coon, R. E., Tucker, C. B. 2024. Measuring motivation for alfalfa hay in feedlot cattle using voluntary interaction with an aversive stimulus. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 271, 106165.

Intramuscular alfaxalone with or without buprenorphine or hydromorphone provides sedation with minimal adverse effects in healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in a randomized blinded controlled trial

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of alfaxalone administered IM with or without buprenorphine or hydromorphone in healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). ANIMALS 24 male rabbits undergoing elective orchiectomy between August 21, 2021, and November 6, 2021. PROCEDURES In this controlled clinical...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Costa, R. S., Ciotti-McClallen, M., Tilley, R. et al. 2023. Intramuscular alfaxalone with or without buprenorphine or hydromorphone provides sedation with minimal adverse effects in healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in a randomized blinded controlled trial. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 261(2), 223–228.

Environmental enrichment for pig welfare during transport

This study aimed to assess the effects of environmental enrichment for pigs during transportation in different phases of their productive cycle. Two trials were conducted, the first during transportation of pigs from the piglet production unit (PPU) to the nursery...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Crone, C., Caldara, F. R., Martins, R. et al. 2023. Environmental enrichment for pig welfare during transport. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 26(3), 393–403.