What method is least useful to assess the hydration status of a mouse or rat?
BACKGROUNDThis guideline describes the recommendations for protocols that include the regulation or restriction of an animal's food and/or water. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide, NRC 2011) states: "The objective when these studies are being planned and executed should be to use the least restriction necessary to achieve the scientific objective while maintaining animal well-being" (p. 31). The restriction or regulation of food/water must be described in detail in the protocol application and approved by the IACUC. Show
DefinitionsRegulation of food/water is defined as the scheduled access to food and/or water sources so an animal consumes as much as desired at regular intervals. For example, rats may have regulated access to food where the food is withheld for several hours in order for them to work for food as a reward in a behavioral test. Restriction of food/water is where the quantity or total volume consumed is strictly monitored and controlled (NRC 2003). Fasting is the removal of food (but not water) for a certain period of time prior to an experimental manipulation such as surgery, glucose tolerance testing, etc. IACUC PolicyProtocols should propose minimal restriction or regulation necessary to achieve the scientific objective while maintaining animal well-being. Protocol applications must address the necessary level of regulation/restriction, the methods for assessing the health and well-being of the animals, the potential adverse consequences of regulation/restriction, and the steps to be taken to address the adverse health effects. Animals must always have access to water unless justified and approved in the IACUC protocol. Food regulation and restriction requires assessment of minimum caloric requirements for the animal to maintain health. In the case of these conditioned-response research protocols, the use of a highly preferred food or fluid as positive reinforcement, instead of restriction/regulation, is recommended. If acclimation period for food regulation/restriction is needed this should be described in the IACUC protocol. Animals experiencing adverse effects due to food/water regulation/restriction must be evaluated by a veterinarian. Special considerations
Restriction/Fasting
RecordkeepingThe following parameters should be measured to ensure that the nutritional needs of the animals are met. Animals must be assessed daily and written records must be maintained for each animal to document these parameters. See Food and Water Restriction Log, as example.
For Water Restriction Only
Appendix 1 Table 1. Rodent Body Condition Score Ullman-Cullere MH, Foltz CJ. 1999. Body condition scoring: a rapid and accurate method for assessing health status in mice. Laboratory animal science 49:319-323 References
Approved: December 2012 Revisions Approved: 10/2017, 3/2018, 7/2022 How can you tell if a rat is dehydrated?Evaluate fluid homeostasis by lifting gently the skin on the animal's back. If skin turgor is reduced and tents, i.e. it does not snap right back, if the oral mucosa is dry, then the animal is severely dehydrated. 2. Dehydration does not become evident by loss of skin turgor until the animal is at least 5% dehydrated.
What is a safe and effective method for picking up mice and rats?Gently but firmly place your free hand over the shoulders and quickly grasp the scruff of the neck close to the base of the skull between the thumb and forefinger. Restrain the tail by your little finger. Rats can be restrained by grasping firmly at the base of the tail.
How does the clinical examination of a mouse or rat differ from that of a larger animal quizlet?How does the clinical exam of a rodent differ from that of a larger animal species? Diagnostic methods and equipment are adapted to the small body size.
What kind of examinations may be performed in rodents?Perform a physical examination to determine if the animal is healthy and active. If indicated or possible a simple laboratory examination such as a hematocrit, blood glucose, or urine analysis can be performed. Regurgitation is seldom a concern for rodents.
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