Publications

The impact of acute loud noise on the behavior of laboratory birds

Husbandry procedures and facility settings, such as low-frequency fire alarms, can produce noises in a laboratory environment that cause stress to animals used in research. However, most of the data demonstrating harmful effects that have, consequently, led to adaptations to...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Finch

Citation: Corbani, T. L., Martin, J. E., Healy, S. D. 2021. The impact of acute loud noise on the behavior of laboratory birds. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 607632.

MicroRNAs as biomarkers for animal health and welfare in livestock

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small and highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules that orchestrate a wide range of biological processes through the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. An intriguing aspect in identifying these molecules as biomarkers is derived from their role in...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Fowl, Goat, Mink, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Miretti, S., Lecchi, C., Ceciliani, F. et al. 2020. MicroRNAs as biomarkers for animal health and welfare in livestock. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 578193.

Automated and continuous monitoring of animal welfare through digital alerting

A primary goal in preclinical animal research is respectful and responsible care aimed toward minimizing stress and discomfort while enhancing collection of accurate and reproducible scientific data. Researchers use hands-on clinical observations and measurements as part of routine husbandry procedures...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Humane Endpoint, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Do, J. P., Defensor, E. B., Ichim, C. V. et al. 2020. Automated and continuous monitoring of animal welfare through digital alerting. Comparative Medicine 70(4), 313-327.

Behavioral effects of cage size and environmental enrichment in New Zealand white rabbits

One of the goals of environmental enrichment is to encourage species-typical behaviors, while discouraging abnormal behaviors or stereotypies. Assessing the effectiveness of various enrichment modalities can be challenging, particularly for prey species such as rabbits that exhibit freezing responses in...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Coda, K. A., Fortman, J. D., García, K. D. 2020. Behavioral effects of cage size and environmental enrichment in New Zealand white rabbits. JAALAS 59(4), 356-364.

Prewarming followed by active warming is superior to passive warming in preventing hypothermia for short procedures in adult rats (Rattus norvegicus) under isoflurane anesthesia

General anesthesia is a common procedure in laboratory rats; however, it impairs thermoregulation, rapidly leading to hypothermia as warm core blood is distributed to the cooler periphery. The protective strategy of prewarming before the onset of anesthesia delays hypothermia, but...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Rufiange, M., Leung, V. S.Y., Simpson, K. et al. 2020. Prewarming followed by active warming is superior to passive warming in preventing hypothermia for short procedures in adult rats (Rattus norvegicus) under isoflurane anesthesia. JAALAS 59(4), 377-383.

The provision of toys to pigs can improve the human-animal relationship

It is now widely recognised that a positive human-animal relationship is beneficial not only for farm animals' welfare but also for productivity and the quality of products. A better understanding of animal emotions is an important goal in disciplines ranging...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Marcet-Rius, M., Pageat, P., Bienboire-Frosini, C. et al. 2020. The provision of toys to pigs can improve the human-animal relationship. Porcine Health Management 6, 29.

Measuring pain in dogs and cats using structured behavioural observation

The contemporary approach to pain measurement in people and animals seeks to measure the affective (emotional) component of the pain experience using structured questionnaires with formal scoring methodology. Chronic pain has wide-ranging impacts which affects the quality of life (QOL)...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat, Dog

Citation: Reid, J., Nolan, A. M., Scott, E. M. 2018. Measuring pain in dogs and cats using structured behavioural observation. The Veterinary Journal 236, 72-79.

Talking to cows: Reactions to different auditory stimuli during gentle human-animal interactions

The quality of the animal-human relationship and, consequently, the welfare of animals can be improved by gentle interactions such as stroking and talking. The perception of different stimuli during these interactions likely plays a key role in their emotional experience,...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Lange, A., Bauer, L., Futschik, A. et al. 2020. Talking to cows: Reactions to different auditory stimuli during gentle human-animal interactions. Frontiers in Psychology 11, 2690.

Improving animal welfare at Newcastle University by introducing the low stress handling of mice

The primary focus of this project was to introduce the low stress handling of mice to Newcastle University and resulting in all researchers and technicians using this method. It aimed to bring a team together, working to promote and communicate...

Year Published: 2020Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Hamilton, E. 2020. Improving animal welfare at Newcastle University by introducing the low stress handling of mice. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(3), 185-194.

Alternative training method using a mouse simulator in intravenous lateral tail vein procedures

The purpose of this study was to reduce or replace mouse cadavers for use in procedural training. All participants had mixed experience in various technical procedures such as oral gavage, intraperitoneal injections, etc., but none had ever carried out intravenous...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Abela, C. 2020. Alternative training method using a mouse simulator in intravenous lateral tail vein procedures. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(3), 249-250.