Husbandry & Management

Using restaurant glassware and flatware wash racks for washing water bottles and cage accessories

In the event of an emergency resulting in our automatic watering system being shut off, we identified the need to increase the number of rodent water bottles we have on hand. Once we realized we had a limited number of...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Semus, H. 2022. Using restaurant glassware and flatware wash racks for washing water bottles and cage accessories. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 10(4) (July/August), 32-33.

A multicentre study on spontaneous in-cage activity and micro-environmental conditions of IVC housed C57BL/6J mice during consecutive cycles of bi-weekly cage-change

Mice respond to a cage change (CC) with altered activity, disrupted sleep and increased anxiety. A bi-weekly cage change is, therefore, preferred over a shorter CC interval and is currently the prevailing routine for Individually ventilated cages (IVCs). However, the...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ulfhake, B., Lerat, H., Honetschlager, J. et al. 2022. A multicentre study on spontaneous in-cage activity and micro-environmental conditions of IVC housed C57BL/6J mice during consecutive cycles of bi-weekly cage-change. PLOS ONE 17(5), e0267281.

Vole husbandry at Colorado University Boulder

Since they arrived at CU Boulder, we have learned a lot about the voles from the laboratory, other institutions, and our trial-and-error. We hope this information can be helpful to any considering adding voles to their census.

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Abazaris, J., Hashway, S. 2022. Vole husbandry at Colorado University Boulder. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 10(4) (July/August), 12-15.

Aging cats prefer warm food

The aim of this study was to determine if meal temperature of cat wet food affected the feeding preference of aging (>7 years of age) domestic short-haired cats. We examined a chunks in gravy product served at three nominal temperatures...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Eyre, R., Trehiou, M., Marshall, E. et al. 2022. Aging cats prefer warm food. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 47, 86-92.

3R measures in facilities for the production of genetically modified rodents

Sociocultural changes in the human–animal relationship have led to increasing demands for animal welfare in biomedical research. The 3R concept is the basis for bringing this demand into practice: Replace animal experiments with alternatives where possible, Reduce the number of...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Analgesia, Disease/Experimental Model, Husbandry & Management, Reproduction, Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Zevnik, B., Jerchow, B., Buch, T. 2022. 3R measures in facilities for the production of genetically modified rodents. Lab Animal 51(6), 162-177.

An assessment of ambient noise and other environmental variables in a nonhuman primate housing facility

Acoustic noise and other environmental variables represent potential confounds for animal research. Of relevance to auditory research, sustained high levels of ambient noise may modify hearing sensitivity and decrease well-being among laboratory animals. The present study was conducted to assess...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: McLeod, A. R., Burton, J. A., Mackey, C. A. et al. 2022. An assessment of ambient noise and other environmental variables in a nonhuman primate housing facility. Lab Animal 51(8), 219-226.

FELASA-AALAS recommendations for monitoring and reporting of laboratory fish diseases and health status, with an emphasis on zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The exchange of fish for research may expose an aquatic laboratory to pathogen contamination as incoming fish can introduce bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses capable of affecting both experimental results and fish and personnel health and welfare. To develop risk...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Mocho, J.-P., Collymore, C., Farmer, S. C. et al. 2022. FELASA-AALAS recommendations for monitoring and reporting of laboratory fish diseases and health status, with an emphasis on zebrafish (Danio rerio). Comparative Medicine 72(3), 127-148.

Care and use of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) for research

Betta splendens, also called Siamese fighting fish or 'betta,' are a popular species in the fishkeeping hobby. Native to South- east Asia, betta have been selectively bred for their fighting ability for hundreds of years, which has resulted in the...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Lichak, M. R., Barber, J. R., Kwon, Y. M. et al. 2022. Care and use of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) for research. Comparative Medicine 72(3), 169-180.

Dairy sheep and goats prefer the single components over the mixed ration

Mixed rations provide ruminants with a balanced diet by aiming to prevent selective feeding. However, this is a natural behavior of sheep and goats based on their dietary needs and the nutritional properties of feedstuffs. Therefore, the present study investigates...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Goat, Sheep

Citation: Berthel, R., Simmler, M., Dohme-Meier, F. et al. 2022. Dairy sheep and goats prefer the single components over the mixed ration. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9, 1017669.

Housing environment affects pubertal onset, anxiety-like behavior, and object interaction in male and female Long Evans rats

Rodents used for research can be humanely housed in a variety of ways. As such, a vast number of different housing environments are used, but are often not described in research publications. However, many elements of housing environments, including bedding,...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Vogt, M. E., Riesgo, V. R., Flanigan, K. A. S. et al. 2022. Housing environment affects pubertal onset, anxiety-like behavior, and object interaction in male and female Long Evans rats. JAALAS 61(3), 241-247.