Chapter 8 - Common Technical Procedures in Rodents

Abstract

When working with laboratory animals in conjunction with an experimental protocol, care must be taken to avoid injury to both the animal technician and the animal. To obtain accurate results from animal studies, all technical procedures must be performed by properly trained technicians or other animal handlers, including undergraduate and graduate students. Basic animal handling and animal identification are the first components to be mastered. Techniques to obtain samples, administer compounds, and perform humane euthanasia can then be taught. A person must be deemed proficient at technical procedures prior to being approved to perform them without supervision. This chapter will cover the basic handling and identification of the most commonly used laboratory animals, mice and rats. Common techniques for blood withdrawal, compound administration, surgical procedures, and euthanasia methods will also be discussed.