Test Your Technical Skills

Common Technical Procedures for Laboratory Animal Technicians

• Technical procedures are an important part of the role of a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) and proficiency in these techniques is essential for animal welfare.

• Injection routes include intravenous (IV), intraperitoneal (IP), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC or SQ), and intradermal (ID) injections.

• The rate of absorption of the injected substance into the body depends on the route of injection, and injections can also be administered into the cerebrum of the brain, retroorbital sinus, and intraosseus.

• Administering injections requires a general understanding of local anatomy at the injection site and the techniques for each route vary by species.

• For an IV injection, the needle is inserted into a blood vessel and various blood vessels can be used depending on the species.

• Prior to an injection, the injection site may be shaved or plucked and prepped with an antiseptic to disinfect the skin and make the vessel easier to see.

• IP injections are made into the abdominal cavity of an animal and care must be taken to avoid puncturing structures such as the bladder and cecum.

• IM injections are generally given into a large muscle mass, usually in the hind limb in either the quadriceps muscle group or biceps muscle.

• SC injections are placed between the skin and the underlying muscle and the needle must be directed away from the fingers to prevent needlestick injury.

• ID injections are given into the dermal layers of the skin and a small volume may be injected at a single site, with multiple injections necessary for a larger quantity.

• Intracranial injections may be made through the skull of an anesthetized animal and into the cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain, and it is vital to identify the anatomical structures of the skull.

• Gastric gavage is the administration of a solution directly into the stomach by intubation or injection down the esophagus and is especially effective for rodents and rabbits because these species are unable to regurgitate stomach content.Laboratory Animal Procedures: Blood Collection and Urinary Catheterization

• Gastric gavage is a common procedure used for administering substances to laboratory animals through a tube inserted into the stomach.

• The tube should be inserted gently and slowly into the animal's mouth, and gravity should be used to advance the tube into the stomach.

• Gastric gavage can be performed on virtually any species with appropriate equipment and techniques.

• Blood collection is a common procedure used to aid in the diagnosis of disease or to support data generation in experimental studies.

• The total blood volume in an animal's body is approximately 6% of its total body weight, and institutional guidelines on blood collection limits ensure that the donor animal's health is not adversely affected.

• The saphenous vein on the lateral side of the lower rear leg may be used for blood collection in both large and small laboratory animals.

• Facial or maxillary vein blood collection is an easy and safe way to collect a blood sample in mice and rats.

• A tail snip can be used to collect several small drops of blood from mice or rats, but it is controversial in animals older than weaning age.

• Retroorbital blood collection is a method of collecting blood from species with a large venous sinus, but it is generally discouraged because of the potential for an eye injury.

• Cardiac puncture is used when a large volume of blood is needed from small animals, and it is performed as a terminal procedure.

• The jugular vein is used for collecting larger volumes of blood from research animals, and vacutainers may be used for sampling.

• Urinary catheterization is a procedure used for collecting urine or facilitating urination in laboratory animals, and a catheter is usually a flexible tube with a tapered end.Technical Procedures in Veterinary Medicine

• Urinary catheterization is a common procedure that requires sterile technique and good visualization of the urethral orifice, which is more difficult to see in female animals.

• Cystocentesis, or tapping the bladder through the abdomen, is a sterile method for collecting urine samples.

• Endotracheal intubation is necessary for long-term anesthesia and involves the insertion of a tube into the trachea to maintain an airway.

• Proper placement of the endotracheal tube is crucial and can be verified through various methods, including listening for breath sounds and observing condensation.

• An inflated cuff on the endotracheal tube seals the airway and prevents the passage of fluids into the lungs.

• Endotracheal tubes can be attached to anesthetic machines, ventilators, or manual ventilation devices.

• Amphibians and fish require unique methods for substance administration, including immersion, intracoelomic injections, and percutaneous injections.

• Gastric gavage, or administering substances through the stomach, is possible in amphibians but may cause regurgitation.

• Blood collection methods vary depending on the species, with cardiocentesis being a common method for amphibians and dorsal aorta puncture being used for zebrafish.

• Gamete collection is commonly used in molecular biology and embryology studies, with oocytes and sperm being collected through non-invasive methods such as stripping or milking.

• Technical procedures in aquatic species require extra care and attention due to the sensitivity of gills and skin to chemicals.

• Anesthesia is necessary for many veterinary procedures, including urinary catheterization, endotracheal intubation, and substance administration.Laboratory Techniques for Collecting Gametes and Conducting Common Tests

• Various techniques are used to collect gametes from aquatic animals such as zebrafish and Xenopus, including milt collection and oocyte expression.

• Males are anesthetized and their urogenital opening is viewed under a microscope for milt collection, while females are gently squeezed to express ova.

• Hormone treatments can also be used to induce oocyte maturation and egg laying in female Xenopus.

• Tissue samples may be taken from aquatic animals for genotyping, usually by taking a small clip of the caudal fin or severing a small portion of the tail in larval Xenopus.

• Common laboratory tests performed on animals include blood tests, fecal examinations, urinalysis, and parasite tests.

• Specific anticoagulants are used for different types of blood tests, and tubes may contain a gel polymer to separate plasma/serum from cells/clots.

• Urinalysis tests for abnormalities in the urinary tract, and dipsticks are used to test for specific chemicals in urine.

• Fecal examination is used to test for internal parasites, and fecal floatation or cellophane tape tests may be used depending on the parasite species.

• PCR testing is a sensitive method for detecting parasites using a small amount of material.

• Vaginal lavage may be used to assess the reproductive status of rodents by sampling and staining cells from the vaginal canal to determine the stage of estrus.

• Invasive techniques such as vaginal swabs may affect reproductive status and induce an inflammatory response.

• Proper technique and handling of samples are necessary to ensure accurate results and protect animal welfare.

Common Technical Procedures for Laboratory Animal Technicians

• Technical procedures are an important part of the role of a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) and proficiency in these techniques is essential for animal welfare.

• Injection routes include intravenous (IV), intraperitoneal (IP), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC or SQ), and intradermal (ID) injections.

• The rate of absorption of the injected substance into the body depends on the route of injection, and injections can also be administered into the cerebrum of the brain, retroorbital sinus, and intraosseus.

• Administering injections requires a general understanding of local anatomy at the injection site and the techniques for each route vary by species.

• For an IV injection, the needle is inserted into a blood vessel and various blood vessels can be used depending on the species.

• Prior to an injection, the injection site may be shaved or plucked and prepped with an antiseptic to disinfect the skin and make the vessel easier to see.

• IP injections are made into the abdominal cavity of an animal and care must be taken to avoid puncturing structures such as the bladder and cecum.

• IM injections are generally given into a large muscle mass, usually in the hind limb in either the quadriceps muscle group or biceps muscle.

• SC injections are placed between the skin and the underlying muscle and the needle must be directed away from the fingers to prevent needlestick injury.

• ID injections are given into the dermal layers of the skin and a small volume may be injected at a single site, with multiple injections necessary for a larger quantity.

• Intracranial injections may be made through the skull of an anesthetized animal and into the cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain, and it is vital to identify the anatomical structures of the skull.

• Gastric gavage is the administration of a solution directly into the stomach by intubation or injection down the esophagus and is especially effective for rodents and rabbits because these species are unable to regurgitate stomach content.Laboratory Animal Procedures: Blood Collection and Urinary Catheterization

• Gastric gavage is a common procedure used for administering substances to laboratory animals through a tube inserted into the stomach.

• The tube should be inserted gently and slowly into the animal's mouth, and gravity should be used to advance the tube into the stomach.

• Gastric gavage can be performed on virtually any species with appropriate equipment and techniques.

• Blood collection is a common procedure used to aid in the diagnosis of disease or to support data generation in experimental studies.

• The total blood volume in an animal's body is approximately 6% of its total body weight, and institutional guidelines on blood collection limits ensure that the donor animal's health is not adversely affected.

• The saphenous vein on the lateral side of the lower rear leg may be used for blood collection in both large and small laboratory animals.

• Facial or maxillary vein blood collection is an easy and safe way to collect a blood sample in mice and rats.

• A tail snip can be used to collect several small drops of blood from mice or rats, but it is controversial in animals older than weaning age.

• Retroorbital blood collection is a method of collecting blood from species with a large venous sinus, but it is generally discouraged because of the potential for an eye injury.

• Cardiac puncture is used when a large volume of blood is needed from small animals, and it is performed as a terminal procedure.

• The jugular vein is used for collecting larger volumes of blood from research animals, and vacutainers may be used for sampling.

• Urinary catheterization is a procedure used for collecting urine or facilitating urination in laboratory animals, and a catheter is usually a flexible tube with a tapered end.Technical Procedures in Veterinary Medicine

• Urinary catheterization is a common procedure that requires sterile technique and good visualization of the urethral orifice, which is more difficult to see in female animals.

• Cystocentesis, or tapping the bladder through the abdomen, is a sterile method for collecting urine samples.

• Endotracheal intubation is necessary for long-term anesthesia and involves the insertion of a tube into the trachea to maintain an airway.

• Proper placement of the endotracheal tube is crucial and can be verified through various methods, including listening for breath sounds and observing condensation.

• An inflated cuff on the endotracheal tube seals the airway and prevents the passage of fluids into the lungs.

• Endotracheal tubes can be attached to anesthetic machines, ventilators, or manual ventilation devices.

• Amphibians and fish require unique methods for substance administration, including immersion, intracoelomic injections, and percutaneous injections.

• Gastric gavage, or administering substances through the stomach, is possible in amphibians but may cause regurgitation.

• Blood collection methods vary depending on the species, with cardiocentesis being a common method for amphibians and dorsal aorta puncture being used for zebrafish.

• Gamete collection is commonly used in molecular biology and embryology studies, with oocytes and sperm being collected through non-invasive methods such as stripping or milking.

• Technical procedures in aquatic species require extra care and attention due to the sensitivity of gills and skin to chemicals.

• Anesthesia is necessary for many veterinary procedures, including urinary catheterization, endotracheal intubation, and substance administration.Laboratory Techniques for Collecting Gametes and Conducting Common Tests

• Various techniques are used to collect gametes from aquatic animals such as zebrafish and Xenopus, including milt collection and oocyte expression.

• Males are anesthetized and their urogenital opening is viewed under a microscope for milt collection, while females are gently squeezed to express ova.

• Hormone treatments can also be used to induce oocyte maturation and egg laying in female Xenopus.

• Tissue samples may be taken from aquatic animals for genotyping, usually by taking a small clip of the caudal fin or severing a small portion of the tail in larval Xenopus.

• Common laboratory tests performed on animals include blood tests, fecal examinations, urinalysis, and parasite tests.

• Specific anticoagulants are used for different types of blood tests, and tubes may contain a gel polymer to separate plasma/serum from cells/clots.

• Urinalysis tests for abnormalities in the urinary tract, and dipsticks are used to test for specific chemicals in urine.

• Fecal examination is used to test for internal parasites, and fecal floatation or cellophane tape tests may be used depending on the parasite species.

• PCR testing is a sensitive method for detecting parasites using a small amount of material.

• Vaginal lavage may be used to assess the reproductive status of rodents by sampling and staining cells from the vaginal canal to determine the stage of estrus.

• Invasive techniques such as vaginal swabs may affect reproductive status and induce an inflammatory response.

• Proper technique and handling of samples are necessary to ensure accurate results and protect animal welfare.

Common Technical Procedures for Laboratory Animal Technicians

• Technical procedures are an important part of the role of a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) and proficiency in these techniques is essential for animal welfare.

• Injection routes include intravenous (IV), intraperitoneal (IP), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC or SQ), and intradermal (ID) injections.

• The rate of absorption of the injected substance into the body depends on the route of injection, and injections can also be administered into the cerebrum of the brain, retroorbital sinus, and intraosseus.

• Administering injections requires a general understanding of local anatomy at the injection site and the techniques for each route vary by species.

• For an IV injection, the needle is inserted into a blood vessel and various blood vessels can be used depending on the species.

• Prior to an injection, the injection site may be shaved or plucked and prepped with an antiseptic to disinfect the skin and make the vessel easier to see.

• IP injections are made into the abdominal cavity of an animal and care must be taken to avoid puncturing structures such as the bladder and cecum.

• IM injections are generally given into a large muscle mass, usually in the hind limb in either the quadriceps muscle group or biceps muscle.

• SC injections are placed between the skin and the underlying muscle and the needle must be directed away from the fingers to prevent needlestick injury.

• ID injections are given into the dermal layers of the skin and a small volume may be injected at a single site, with multiple injections necessary for a larger quantity.

• Intracranial injections may be made through the skull of an anesthetized animal and into the cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain, and it is vital to identify the anatomical structures of the skull.

• Gastric gavage is the administration of a solution directly into the stomach by intubation or injection down the esophagus and is especially effective for rodents and rabbits because these species are unable to regurgitate stomach content.Laboratory Animal Procedures: Blood Collection and Urinary Catheterization

• Gastric gavage is a common procedure used for administering substances to laboratory animals through a tube inserted into the stomach.

• The tube should be inserted gently and slowly into the animal's mouth, and gravity should be used to advance the tube into the stomach.

• Gastric gavage can be performed on virtually any species with appropriate equipment and techniques.

• Blood collection is a common procedure used to aid in the diagnosis of disease or to support data generation in experimental studies.

• The total blood volume in an animal's body is approximately 6% of its total body weight, and institutional guidelines on blood collection limits ensure that the donor animal's health is not adversely affected.

• The saphenous vein on the lateral side of the lower rear leg may be used for blood collection in both large and small laboratory animals.

• Facial or maxillary vein blood collection is an easy and safe way to collect a blood sample in mice and rats.

• A tail snip can be used to collect several small drops of blood from mice or rats, but it is controversial in animals older than weaning age.

• Retroorbital blood collection is a method of collecting blood from species with a large venous sinus, but it is generally discouraged because of the potential for an eye injury.

• Cardiac puncture is used when a large volume of blood is needed from small animals, and it is performed as a terminal procedure.

• The jugular vein is used for collecting larger volumes of blood from research animals, and vacutainers may be used for sampling.

• Urinary catheterization is a procedure used for collecting urine or facilitating urination in laboratory animals, and a catheter is usually a flexible tube with a tapered end.Technical Procedures in Veterinary Medicine

• Urinary catheterization is a common procedure that requires sterile technique and good visualization of the urethral orifice, which is more difficult to see in female animals.

• Cystocentesis, or tapping the bladder through the abdomen, is a sterile method for collecting urine samples.

• Endotracheal intubation is necessary for long-term anesthesia and involves the insertion of a tube into the trachea to maintain an airway.

• Proper placement of the endotracheal tube is crucial and can be verified through various methods, including listening for breath sounds and observing condensation.

• An inflated cuff on the endotracheal tube seals the airway and prevents the passage of fluids into the lungs.

• Endotracheal tubes can be attached to anesthetic machines, ventilators, or manual ventilation devices.

• Amphibians and fish require unique methods for substance administration, including immersion, intracoelomic injections, and percutaneous injections.

• Gastric gavage, or administering substances through the stomach, is possible in amphibians but may cause regurgitation.

• Blood collection methods vary depending on the species, with cardiocentesis being a common method for amphibians and dorsal aorta puncture being used for zebrafish.

• Gamete collection is commonly used in molecular biology and embryology studies, with oocytes and sperm being collected through non-invasive methods such as stripping or milking.

• Technical procedures in aquatic species require extra care and attention due to the sensitivity of gills and skin to chemicals.

• Anesthesia is necessary for many veterinary procedures, including urinary catheterization, endotracheal intubation, and substance administration.Laboratory Techniques for Collecting Gametes and Conducting Common Tests

• Various techniques are used to collect gametes from aquatic animals such as zebrafish and Xenopus, including milt collection and oocyte expression.

• Males are anesthetized and their urogenital opening is viewed under a microscope for milt collection, while females are gently squeezed to express ova.

• Hormone treatments can also be used to induce oocyte maturation and egg laying in female Xenopus.

• Tissue samples may be taken from aquatic animals for genotyping, usually by taking a small clip of the caudal fin or severing a small portion of the tail in larval Xenopus.

• Common laboratory tests performed on animals include blood tests, fecal examinations, urinalysis, and parasite tests.

• Specific anticoagulants are used for different types of blood tests, and tubes may contain a gel polymer to separate plasma/serum from cells/clots.

• Urinalysis tests for abnormalities in the urinary tract, and dipsticks are used to test for specific chemicals in urine.

• Fecal examination is used to test for internal parasites, and fecal floatation or cellophane tape tests may be used depending on the parasite species.

• PCR testing is a sensitive method for detecting parasites using a small amount of material.

• Vaginal lavage may be used to assess the reproductive status of rodents by sampling and staining cells from the vaginal canal to determine the stage of estrus.

• Invasive techniques such as vaginal swabs may affect reproductive status and induce an inflammatory response.

• Proper technique and handling of samples are necessary to ensure accurate results and protect animal welfare.

Common Technical Procedures for Laboratory Animal Technicians

• Technical procedures are an important part of the role of a Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) and proficiency in these techniques is essential for animal welfare.

• Injection routes include intravenous (IV), intraperitoneal (IP), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC or SQ), and intradermal (ID) injections.

• The rate of absorption of the injected substance into the body depends on the route of injection, and injections can also be administered into the cerebrum of the brain, retroorbital sinus, and intraosseus.

• Administering injections requires a general understanding of local anatomy at the injection site and the techniques for each route vary by species.

• For an IV injection, the needle is inserted into a blood vessel and various blood vessels can be used depending on the species.

• Prior to an injection, the injection site may be shaved or plucked and prepped with an antiseptic to disinfect the skin and make the vessel easier to see.

• IP injections are made into the abdominal cavity of an animal and care must be taken to avoid puncturing structures such as the bladder and cecum.

• IM injections are generally given into a large muscle mass, usually in the hind limb in either the quadriceps muscle group or biceps muscle.

• SC injections are placed between the skin and the underlying muscle and the needle must be directed away from the fingers to prevent needlestick injury.

• ID injections are given into the dermal layers of the skin and a small volume may be injected at a single site, with multiple injections necessary for a larger quantity.

• Intracranial injections may be made through the skull of an anesthetized animal and into the cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain, and it is vital to identify the anatomical structures of the skull.

• Gastric gavage is the administration of a solution directly into the stomach by intubation or injection down the esophagus and is especially effective for rodents and rabbits because these species are unable to regurgitate stomach content.Laboratory Animal Procedures: Blood Collection and Urinary Catheterization

• Gastric gavage is a common procedure used for administering substances to laboratory animals through a tube inserted into the stomach.

• The tube should be inserted gently and slowly into the animal's mouth, and gravity should be used to advance the tube into the stomach.

• Gastric gavage can be performed on virtually any species with appropriate equipment and techniques.

• Blood collection is a common procedure used to aid in the diagnosis of disease or to support data generation in experimental studies.

• The total blood volume in an animal's body is approximately 6% of its total body weight, and institutional guidelines on blood collection limits ensure that the donor animal's health is not adversely affected.

• The saphenous vein on the lateral side of the lower rear leg may be used for blood collection in both large and small laboratory animals.

• Facial or maxillary vein blood collection is an easy and safe way to collect a blood sample in mice and rats.

• A tail snip can be used to collect several small drops of blood from mice or rats, but it is controversial in animals older than weaning age.

• Retroorbital blood collection is a method of collecting blood from species with a large venous sinus, but it is generally discouraged because of the potential for an eye injury.

• Cardiac puncture is used when a large volume of blood is needed from small animals, and it is performed as a terminal procedure.

• The jugular vein is used for collecting larger volumes of blood from research animals, and vacutainers may be used for sampling.

• Urinary catheterization is a procedure used for collecting urine or facilitating urination in laboratory animals, and a catheter is usually a flexible tube with a tapered end.Technical Procedures in Veterinary Medicine

• Urinary catheterization is a common procedure that requires sterile technique and good visualization of the urethral orifice, which is more difficult to see in female animals.

• Cystocentesis, or tapping the bladder through the abdomen, is a sterile method for collecting urine samples.

• Endotracheal intubation is necessary for long-term anesthesia and involves the insertion of a tube into the trachea to maintain an airway.

• Proper placement of the endotracheal tube is crucial and can be verified through various methods, including listening for breath sounds and observing condensation.

• An inflated cuff on the endotracheal tube seals the airway and prevents the passage of fluids into the lungs.

• Endotracheal tubes can be attached to anesthetic machines, ventilators, or manual ventilation devices.

• Amphibians and fish require unique methods for substance administration, including immersion, intracoelomic injections, and percutaneous injections.

• Gastric gavage, or administering substances through the stomach, is possible in amphibians but may cause regurgitation.

• Blood collection methods vary depending on the species, with cardiocentesis being a common method for amphibians and dorsal aorta puncture being used for zebrafish.

• Gamete collection is commonly used in molecular biology and embryology studies, with oocytes and sperm being collected through non-invasive methods such as stripping or milking.

• Technical procedures in aquatic species require extra care and attention due to the sensitivity of gills and skin to chemicals.

• Anesthesia is necessary for many veterinary procedures, including urinary catheterization, endotracheal intubation, and substance administration.Laboratory Techniques for Collecting Gametes and Conducting Common Tests

• Various techniques are used to collect gametes from aquatic animals such as zebrafish and Xenopus, including milt collection and oocyte expression.

• Males are anesthetized and their urogenital opening is viewed under a microscope for milt collection, while females are gently squeezed to express ova.

• Hormone treatments can also be used to induce oocyte maturation and egg laying in female Xenopus.

• Tissue samples may be taken from aquatic animals for genotyping, usually by taking a small clip of the caudal fin or severing a small portion of the tail in larval Xenopus.

• Common laboratory tests performed on animals include blood tests, fecal examinations, urinalysis, and parasite tests.

• Specific anticoagulants are used for different types of blood tests, and tubes may contain a gel polymer to separate plasma/serum from cells/clots.

• Urinalysis tests for abnormalities in the urinary tract, and dipsticks are used to test for specific chemicals in urine.

• Fecal examination is used to test for internal parasites, and fecal floatation or cellophane tape tests may be used depending on the parasite species.

• PCR testing is a sensitive method for detecting parasites using a small amount of material.

• Vaginal lavage may be used to assess the reproductive status of rodents by sampling and staining cells from the vaginal canal to determine the stage of estrus.

• Invasive techniques such as vaginal swabs may affect reproductive status and induce an inflammatory response.

• Proper technique and handling of samples are necessary to ensure accurate results and protect animal welfare.

Are you a Laboratory Animal Technician looking to improve your technical skills? Take our quiz on Common Technical Procedures and learn about injection routes, blood collection, urinary catheterization, and more! From administering injections to collecting gametes, this quiz covers important techniques used in veterinary medicine and laboratory animal procedures. Test your knowledge and enhance your proficiency in these essential procedures for animal welfare.