Lab 3: Intro To Animal Handling

Question 0

What are the 5 freedoms of ethical animal use?

Answer 0

The right to freedom from hunger and thirst
The right to freedom from pain, injury and disease
The right to freedom from discomfort
The right to express normal behaviour
The right to freedom from fear and distress

Question 1

What is the normal behaviour of mice?

Answer 1

Small albino mice, 
Very social
Warm
Rapid respiration rate
Rapid whisker movement
Very alert and keen to explore

Question 2

How were the 5 freedoms of ethical animal use applied to in the lab setting?

Answer 2

Food + water were provided for the mice at all times
Students were taught proper handling and restraining technique to avoid pain, injury and disease to the mice
Mice were carefully observed while under the effects of anasthesia
Mice bedding and containers were maintained to be clean and dry

Question 3

How is the volume of drug to be injected calculated?

Answer 3

Dose to be injected x weight of mouse / stock concentration

Question 4

How do you inject the mouse via the intraperitoneal route?

Answer 4

Restrain the mouse and hook the tail with your non dominant hand
Pick up the syringe with your dominant hand.
Try to stretch the mouse out
Point the needle on one side of the abdomen between the top and bottom nipples
Inject the mice with the needle at 45 degrees, swiftly and remove the needle swiftly

Question 5

How do you inject the mouse via the subcutaneous routes?

Answer 5

Restrain the mouse with your non dominant hand
Make a tent with your thumb and forefinger at the scruff of the neck and slide the needle in between your fingers, parallel to the mouse’s back. Inject the drug and then swiftly retract the syringe

Question 6

Where is the IV injection done?

Answer 6

At the base of the mouse tail

Question 7

How do you assess whether a mouse is anaesthetised?

Answer 7

By using the righting reflex.

Place the mouse on its back and see whether it rights itself

Question 8

How do you restrain a mouse?

Answer 8

Scent your hands by rubbing the mouse bedding over your gloves
Grab a mouse by the base of its tail and place it on the towel.
Pull the tail gently (with your non dominant hand) so that the mouse claws its paws on the towel.
With your thumb and forefinger, push the mouse head right into the towel firmly and grab as much skin as possible.
Turn the mouse over and hook the tail with your pinky

Question 9

How are syringes assembled?

Answer 9

Unsheath the needle and syringe
Attach needle to syringe
Fill out more drug solution than you need.
Pull the plunger back gently
Tap/flick the sides to get rid of air bubbles.
Push the plunger to the correct volume