MICE: 01 - PHYSICAL EXAMS Flashcards
what does the examination of the mouse begin with
a general evaluation of the macroenvironment: the room
recognizing the purpose of the room:
typically breeding or experimental –> will often provide an indication of the animal population and the anticipated health conditions
– define population by either immunocompetent vs. immunocompromised
what to do when checking the macroenvironment
- scan the room, doing a brief assessment of the lighting, temperature, and humidity
- look closer at the rack of interest
- determine if anything abnormal can be notes
- helpful to know the date of rack change-out
ways to assess activity level
- noting enrichment use/disuse
- fecal output
- moisture within the cage
- healthy animals generally use nesting material, ingest feed, and soil a cage
it may be beneficial to compare a cage in question with:
surrounding cages, as similarly populated cages generally have comparable amount of cage use (enrichment use, urine deposition, fecal matter)
what does examination of the mouse being with
visual observation followed by palpation when indicated
visual examination includes
- mentation
- posture, movement, and activity
- haircoat
- body condition
mentation
note the attitude of the animal as bright, alert, quiet, lethargic, depressed, or unconscious
posture, movement, and activity
note the manner of movement of the mouse as normal/upright and ambulatory, hunched, slow/relucant to move
– note the presence/absence and severity of lameness, ataxia, paresis, paralysis, rolling, circling, and stereotypies
haircut
observe for indications of normal, rough, greasy, unkept/ungroomed fur
body condition
assesses body condition as normal, thin, emaciated, over conditioned or obese (body scoring of 1-5)
palpation
- may be necessary to asses body condition in haired mice
- is also indicated for assessing and monitoring masses and other conditions, particularly of the abdomen (generalized fluid/ascites, masses, organomegaly, urinary obstruction, pregnancy)
a normal, healthy mouse is
bright, alert, upright, and ambulatory
– eyes are clear, haircut is smooth
– they are curious and alert