MICE: 01 - PHYSICAL EXAMS

Question 1

what does the examination of the mouse begin with

Answer 1

a general evaluation of the macroenvironment: the room

Question 2

recognizing the purpose of the room:

Answer 2

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

Question 3

what to do when checking the macroenvironment

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

ways to assess activity level

Answer 4

• noting enrichment use/disuse
• fecal output
• moisture within the cage
• healthy animals generally use nesting material, ingest feed, and soil a cage

Question 5

it may be beneficial to compare a cage in question with:

Answer 5

surrounding cages, as similarly populated cages generally have comparable amount of cage use (enrichment use, urine deposition, fecal matter)

Question 6

what does examination of the mouse being with

Answer 6

visual observation followed by palpation when indicated

Question 7

visual examination includes

Answer 7

• mentation
• posture, movement, and activity
• haircoat
• body condition

Question 8

mentation

Answer 8

note the attitude of the animal as bright, alert, quiet, lethargic, depressed, or unconscious

Question 9

posture, movement, and activity

Answer 9

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

Question 10

haircut

Answer 10

observe for indications of normal, rough, greasy, unkept/ungroomed fur

Question 11

body condition

Answer 11

assesses body condition as normal, thin, emaciated, over conditioned or obese (body scoring of 1-5)

Question 12

palpation

Answer 12

• 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)

Question 13

a normal, healthy mouse is

Answer 13

bright, alert, upright, and ambulatory
– eyes are clear, haircut is smooth
– they are curious and alert