mice and rats Flashcards
Why do labs use mice and rats?
Require less food/space, reproduce quickly and in large animals, many inbred strains with similar genetic characteristics
What percent of lab test animals mice and rats?
90%
What is the life span of mice and rats?
Mice: 1 1/2-3 years
Rats:2 1/2-3 1/2 years
What is the dental formula for mice and rats?
2( i1/1 c0/0 p0/0 m3/3)
How many pairs of mammary glands do mice and rats have?
Mice: 5 pairs
Rats: 6pairs
What are harderian glands?
Small gland found in medial canthus of eye that produces red tinged fluid
What is mice behavior like?
Social animals, make good pets. Fighting can occur against male mice
What is rat behavior like?
Clean, easy trained, can be mixed with no fighting
What temperature should mice and rats be kept at?
72F
What should the humidity level be for mice and rats?
40-70%
How much light do mice and rats need?
12hrs
What is coprophagic?
Eats feces
What type of eater is a mouse or rat?
Omnivore
What ID methods are used for lab mice and rats?
Cage cards, hair coat, ear knotch or punch, ear tag or stud, dye staining of fur, tattooing, microchips
What can confirm a pregnancy?
Copulatory plugs
What are copulatory plugs?
Waxy white to yellow material that plugs the vagina
What are three common medical problems in rats?
Mammary gland tumors
Respiratory infections
Tail necrosis
What are mammary gland tumors normally made of?
Normally benign firm subcutaneous circular masses
How big are mammary gland tumors normally?
8-10cm in diameter
What is mycoplasma pulmonis?
Caused by Sendai virus
What are the clinical signs of mycoplasma pulmonis?
Nasal discharge, teeth chattering, wt. loss, ruffled hair coat, bunched posteur
When are respiratory infections usually seen in rats?
When they are stressed
What is tail necrosis?
Instituted blood supply to the tail
What type and age of rats usually have tail necrosis?
Lab rats 7-15 days old
What is associated with tail necrosis?
Decreased humidity and essential fatty acids in diet
