Animal Handling Lab No 1 PDF

Lab No 1 Animal Handling LAB NO 1: Animal Handling ❖ The aim from this lab is to show that the primary consideration should be for the welfare of the animal. ❖ Introduction The techniques used to handle small mammals vary sli...

Lab No 1 Animal Handling LAB NO 1: Animal Handling ❖ The aim from this lab is to show that the primary consideration should be for the welfare of the animal. ❖ Introduction The techniques used to handle small mammals vary slightly with each species, however many of the general principles are the same. When handling all small mammals, a firm but gentle approach is advisable. This tutorial will outline recommended techniques for handling rodents, rabbits and ferrets. The adoption of these techniques will help to minimize stress for the animals and help reduce the risk of bite injuries to the handler. It is important that animals are aware of the handler’s presence before attempting to restrain them, particularly if the animal is initially asleep. This will reduce stress for the animal and help to avoid bite injuries. ❖ General principles of animal handling Good experimental results are unlikely to be obtained from 1 Lab No 1 Animal Handling animals in poor condition. Also animals can inflict serious injuries to humans and to themselves as a result of improper handling. General principles: 1. Use gloves & laboratory coat. 2. All animals must be allowed to Acclimate for suitable period (3-6 days) (No experimental manipulation in this period). 3. Get Familiar with animal handling. 4. Avoid making noise. 5. Handel gently. 6. Handel firmly. 7. Use an assistant. 8. Return the animals to their cage immediately. ❖ Technique of drug administration - Enteral - Parenteral - Others In laboratory animals, the commonly used method of drug administrations are: 1. Oral: Mainly used to study the chronic effect of drug. Rarely used in immediate effect Used in rats and mice and using feeding needle which is slowly pushed. 2 Lab No 1 Animal Handling Don’t push the drug in trachea Never use sharp injection needle 2. Intraperitoneal (I.P): Most widely used route in laboratory Peritoneum provides a large surface area for absorption the needle is pushed firmly through abdomen in the midline a little above ligament. Don’t inject in the liver, spleen, intestine and urinary bladder. 3. Intramuscular (I.M): The drug is administered directly in to the mass of the muscle from where the drug spreads out. Used when prolonged effect is required. The injections is made in thigh or buttock muscle. 4. Subcutaneous(S.C): Used for non-irritating drugs. Used in a loose skin. The back of the animal is the most suitable place. 5. Intravenous (I.V): Varies from animal to animal For rabbits, injection is made in the marginal vein of ear. 6. Intra-dermal: Small volumes of drugs (0.1-0.25ml) are injected directly into the skin. 3 Lab No 1 Animal Handling Used for sensitivity tests. Lower part of the back of the animal is the usual site of drug injection. The needle is inserted in dermis or epidermis. 7. Inhalation: Used for gaseous or vapour drugs. Used when local effects are needed. ❖ Handling and Restraint of Gerbil Gerbils and other rodents will often try to evade capture from handlers so removing exercise wheels, cover structures, and other furnishings from the cage prior to attempting to restrain the animals is recommended. Never restrain gerbils by the tail as the skin of the tail is delicate and tends to tear easily. Gerbils should be cupped using one or two hands such as in (Fig 1). ( Fig 1) Handling for Injection Common routes for injection include the intraperitoneal and subcutaneous routes. As with all small mammals, small 4 Lab No 1 Animal Handling hypodermic needle should be used for injection and the volume of substance should be minimised. (Fig 2): s.c injection. Handling and restraint Hamster To initially restrain a hamster, the animal can be placed beneath the palm of one hand such as in (Fig 3). (Fig 3) The hamster can then be restrained by the scruff starting with the skin near the front of the shoulders such as in (Fig4). (Fig 4) The scruff can be grasped between the thumb and forefinger whilst maintaining a grip on the tail such as in (Fig 5). The 5 Lab No 1 Animal Handling animal is then secure and can be examined or injected safely. (Fig 5) Handling for injection The hamster can be restrained by the scruff for intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injections. Injection techniques for the hamster are similar to those previously discussed for the gerbil. (Fig 6): i.p injection ❖ Handling and Restraint of Mouse Mice are generally easy to restrain, but their small size makes them especially vulnerable to physical injury, not least by the handler inadvertently dropping them when bitten. Some mice are also very active and may attempt to jump away from the handler. The animal should be grasped by the tail, preferably the proximal third and lifted clear of its cage. It should then 6 Lab No 1 Animal Handling be placed on a surface such as a cage top. If gentle traction is maintained on the tail, the animal will grip the cage top and attempt to pull away. The scruff can be grasped between the thumb and forefinger whilst maintaining a grip on the tail. The animal is then secure and can be examined or injected safely such as in (Fig 7,8). (Fig 7) (Fig 8) Handling for injection Intraperitoneal injections can be made into the posterior quadrant of the abdomen such as in (fig 9). Subcutaneous injection can be made into the scruff of the neck. Care must be taken to direct the needle into the scruff and not into the handlers finger or thumb. (Fig 9): I.p injection (Fig 10): I.m injection Because the muscle masses of mice are so small, care 7 Lab No 1 Animal Handling must be taken to use a small needle and a small volume for injection. Intramuscular injections can be made into the quadriceps muscle groups on the anterior of the thigh. ❖ Handling and Restraint of Rat Rats are typically docile animals, particularly if they are routinely handled using appropriate techniques. Bites from rats are uncommon and will typically only occur if the animal is stressed or in pain. (Fig 11) To initially restrain a rat, the handler should gently grasp it around the shoulders such as in (Fig11). The handler’s thumb can then be placed under the rat’s mandible, to prevent bites, and the rat’s hindlimbs can be supported with the other hand. Restraint should be firm but not too tight as this will impede the animal’s respiration. (Fig 12) Handling for injection As with gerbils and hamsters, intraperitoneal injections may be made into caudal half of the abdomen with the needle directed along the line of the hind limb. (Fig 13) 8 Lab No 1 Animal Handling ❖ Handling and Restraint of Guinea Pig To initially restrain a guinea pig, the handler should be rapid and smooth, to avoid frightening the animal. The handler’s thumb is placed beneath the jaw of the guinea pig. The hindquarters of the guinea pig are supported by the handler’s other hand such as in (Fig 14). (Fig 14) Handling for injection Intraperitoneal injections are made into the lower half of the abdomen. (Fig 15) ❖ Handling and Restraint of Rabbit Rabbits are especially susceptible to the effects of stress and should always be approached in a calm and confident manner. 9 Lab No 1 Animal Handling The handler is restraining the rabbit firmly by the scruff with the other hand ready to support the animal’s (Fig 16) hindquarters. The rabbit should be held its head tucked under the handler’s arm and with the back and hindquarters supported by the handler’s forearms such as in (fig 17). (Fig 17) Handling for injection Rabbits may also be restrained for injection by wrapping the animal in a drape or towel. If the rabbit is securely wrapped, it will not struggle. Intravenous injections into the rabbit’s marginal ear vein can be readily made if the rabbit is restrained with a drape such as in (Fig 18). (Fig 18) 10