Publications

Review of rodent euthanasia methods

The optimal choice of euthanasia method for laboratory rodents depends on a number of factors, including the scientific goals of the study, the need to minimize animal pain and/or distress, applicable guidelines and laws, the training and proficiency of personnel,...

Year Published: 2020Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Shomer, N. H., Allen-Worthington, K. H., Hickman, D. L. et al. 2020. Review of rodent euthanasia methods. JAALAS 59(3), 242–253.

Risk factors for feather-damaging behavior in companion parrots: A social media study

Studies on the etiology of behavioral problems often involve interference in the animal's routine or reliance on owners' self-reports like surveys. Gathering data from videos posted on social media, a technique coined ‘video mining’, offers novel opportunities to study the...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Acharya, R., Rault, J.-L. 2020. Risk factors for feather-damaging behavior in companion parrots: A social media study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 40, 43-49.

Scratcher preferences of adult in-home cats and effects of olfactory supplements on cat scratching

Preferences for scratchers in adult cats have not yet been explored. Thirty-six adult cats were the subjects in three experiments to evaluate adult cat in-home preferences for scratchers, scratching materials, and the use of scratchers with added olfactory stimuli. Scratchers...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Zhang, L., McGlone, J. J. 2020. Scratcher preferences of adult in-home cats and effects of olfactory supplements on cat scratching. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 227, 104997.

Seasonal weight changes in laboratory ferrets

Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are a valuable animal model used in biomedical research. Like many animals, ferrets undergo significant variation in body weight seasonally, affected by photoperiod, and these variations complicate the use weight as an indicator of health status....

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Ferret

Citation: Jones, E. J., Poole, K. C., Sollini, J. et al. 2020. Seasonal weight changes in laboratory ferrets. PLOS ONE 15(8): e0232733.

Semi-automated generation of pictures for the Mouse Grimace Scale: A multi-laboratory analysis (Part 2)

The Mouse Grimace Scale (MGS) is an established method for estimating pain in mice during animal studies. Recently, an improved and standardized MGS set-up and an algorithm for automated and blinded output of images for MGS evaluation were introduced. The...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ernst, L., Kopaczka, M., Schulz, M. et al. 2020. Semi-automated generation of pictures for the Mouse Grimace Scale: A multi-laboratory analysis (Part 2). Laboratory Animals 54(1), 92–98.

Severity assessment in pigs after partial liver resection: Evaluation of a score sheet

Severity assessment in biomedical research is required by the European authorities. Therefore, a variety of score sheets are available. The first score sheets were designed and introduced by Morton and Griffith (M&G) in 1985, to assess pain and distress in...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Hagemeister, K., Ernst, L., Kadaba Srinivasan, P. et al. 2020. Severity assessment in pigs after partial liver resection: Evaluation of a score sheet. Laboratory Animals 54(3), 251–260.

The ‘Cage Climber’ – A new enrichment for use in large-dimensioned mouse facilities

Environmental Enrichment has been shown in experimental contexts to have clear and often beneficial effects on animal physiology and behavior. Housing prior to experiments can represent a large proportion of an animal’s living conditions, and improving housing conditions can be...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Vogt, M. A., Mertens, S., Serba, S. et al. 2020. The ‘Cage Climber’ - A new enrichment for use in large-dimensioned mouse facilities. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 230, 105078.

The adjuvant-induced rat model of monoarthritis: Welfare implications and possible refinement strategies

This study investigated welfare, mechanical hyperalgesia and model specific parameters (mobility, stance, joint stiffness and ambulation impairment) during a three-week period in a rat model of monoarthritis. The objective was to identify possible targets for refinement of the model and...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Disease/Experimental ModelAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Berke, M. S., Abelson, K. S. P. 2020. The adjuvant-induced rat model of monoarthritis: Welfare implications and possible refinement strategies. Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science 46(1), 39-50.

The care of Central and Pygmy bearded dragons

This article describes the care of central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) as well as Pygmy bearded dragons (Pogona henrylawsoni). It includes information on housing, feeding, handling and sexing technique, as well as the general health care of these animals. The...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Hosking, A., Martinic, G. 2020. The care of Central and Pygmy bearded dragons. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(2), 125-130.

The care of the Children’s Python (Antaresia childreni)

This article describes the care of the Children’s python (Antaresia childreni). It includes information on housing, feeding, handling, as well as the general health care of these animals. The information presented is derived from Standard Operating Procedures used at the...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Reptile, Snake

Citation: Hosking, A., Martinic, G. 2020. The care of the Children’s Python (Antaresia childreni). Animal Technology and Welfare 19(2), 118-122.