Training chimpanzees to accept subcutaneous injections using positive reinforcement training techniques (2004)

Perlman, J. E., Thiele, E., Whittaker, M. A. et al.

Abstract

Positive reinforcement training techniques were used to train four socially-housed, adult chimpanzees to present their abdomen for a subcutaneous injection. .. Voluntary cooperation with the injection procedure was desired to eliminate the need for chemical restraint and to minimize stress on the subjects and caregivers. Subjects had been previously trained to present body parts for inspection, including the abdomen. For the present study, subjects were trained to 1) present the abdomen, 2) tolerate a pinch of the skin, 3) accept the subcutaneous insertion of a needle, and 4) remain stationary while the contents of the syringe were injected. Three of the four chimpanzees were reliably trained to voluntarily accept the subcutaneous injection. A mean of 98 minutes of training time was required for the animals to reliably accept penetration and injection of up to 10 cc through a 25-gauge needle. Training sessions lasted 5 to 8 minutes and 13 - 20 sessions (mean = 17) were required to achieve reliable performance.