Laboratory Animals husbandry

Mice and Rats

Laboratory animal husbandry can be defined as all those practices that are performed to raise laboratory animals (those animals which are used in the laboratory for experimental and research purposes). These practices include:

Restraining

Handling

Housing

Feeding/nutrition

Breeding

Environmental management

Treatment of diseases

Major laboratory animals:

 

Many animals are used in laboratories for research and experimental purposes but some animals are frequently used which are termed as major laboratory animals. These animals include:

Mice and rats

Hamsters

Guinea pigs

Ferrets

Rabbits

Gerbils

Husbandry practices of these animals are discussed below:

Mice and Rats

Restraining

They can be restrained either by picking the base of the tail (with bare fingers or rubber-tipped forceps) or by holding the loose skin around the shoulders.

Handling

·                     For holding a mouse to make an injection, it is usually placed on a surface.

·                     The tail is grasped with the tail and forefinger of the right hand.

·                     The skin of the neck is grasped with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, as the mouse attempts to move.

·                     The skin between these two forefingers is gathered quickly and carefully.

 

Housing

·                     Mice and rats are housed usually in shoe box-style cages made of plastic or metal, or in suspended metal cages.

·                     Usually, certain bedding materials like wood shavings or grounded chips are placed in the bottom of the cage for the mouse.

Feeding/nutrition

·                     Water should be available either through an automatic water system or manual water bottles.

·                     Food is provided ad libitum.

·                     Food is commercially prepared in the form of milled, firm and dry blocks.

·                     They can eat any type of grains available.

·                     Food should be offered in hoppers because placing it directly on a cage is unsanitary.

Breeding

·                     A monogamous or polygamous system of mating may be established depending on various factors.

·                     Breeding mice and rats should be kept on solid floors rather than grid floor cages.

·                     As they reach sexual maturity, the breeding should be commenced because at that time breeding efficiency is maximum.

Environmental management

·                     A temperature range of 21-23 degrees centigrade should be maintained in mice and rat rooms.

·                     Humidity should be in the range of 40-60%.

·                     The light should be provided at least a full day, usually, 12 hours light and 12 hours darkness are provided to mouse house.

·                     Cleaning the house 2-3 times a week is recommended although a musty odor may be present in the house despite cleaning.

Treatment of diseases

Some common infections of rat and mouse include:

·                     Mycoplasmosis

·                     Salmonellosis

·                     Staphylococcus infection

·                     Pseudomonas infection

·                     Tyzzer’s disease

·                     Scaly skin disease

·                     Mouse pox

·                     Sendai virus

·                     Parvovirus

·                     Acariasis

·                     Pinworms

·                     Tapeworms

Treatment is done according to the diagnosis of disease and causative agents.