Practical 1.docx

PRACTICAL 1

TITLE: ANIMAL HANDLING

OBJECTIVE: To understand how to handle and use the laboratories animals like rats, mice and rabbits in the Pharmacological experiments.

PRINCIPLE: The techniques used to handle small mammals vary slightly with each species, however many of the general principles are the same. When handling all small mammals, a firm but gentle approach is advisable. This practical will outline recommended techniques for handling rodents, rabbits and ferrets. The adoption of these techniques will help to minimise stress for the animals and help reduce the risk of bite injuries to the handler. It is important that animals are aware of the handler’s presence before attempting to restrain them, particularly if the animal is initially asleep. This will reduce stress for the animal and help to avoid bite injuries.

REQUIREMENTS: Rabbits, rats, mice, gloves.

PROCEDURE: A. Mouse i. Handling and Restraint 1. Mice are generally easy to restrain, but their small size makes them especially vulnerable to physical injury, not least by the handler inadvertently dropping them when bitten. Some mice are also very active and may attempt to jump away from the handler. 2.

ii.

The mice were grasped by the tail, preferably the proximal third and lifted clear of its cage. It was then being placed on a surface such as a cage top. The gentle traction is maintained on the tail, so the mice will grip the cage top and attempt to pull away.

Handling for injection

1. 2.

3.

3.

B.

Intraperitoneal injections were made into the posterior quadrant of the abdomen. Subcutaneous injection was made into the scruff of the neck. Care was taken to direct the needle into the scruff and not into the handler’s finger or thumb. Because the muscle masses of mice are so small, care was taken to use a small needle and a small volume for injection. Intramuscular injections were made into the quadriceps muscle groups on the anterior of the thigh. The scruff was grasped between the thumb and forefinger whilst maintaining a grip on the tail. The mice were then secured and was examined or injected safely.

Rabbit i. Handling and Restraint 1. Rabbits are especially susceptible to the effects of stress and should always be approached in a calm and confident manner. 2. The handler was restraining the rabbit firmly by the scruff with the other hand ready to support the animal’s hindquarters. 3. The rabbit was held its head tucked under the handler’s arm and with the back and hindquarters supported by the handler’s forearms. ii. Handling for injection. 1. Rabbits were restrained for injection by wrapping the animal in a drape or towelThe rabbit was securely wrapped,so it will not struggle. 2. Intravenous injections into the rabbit’s marginal ear vein was readily made if the rabbit is restrained with a drape.

OBSERVATION: a) Handling and restraining mouse

b) Handling injection for mouse

Figure 1: Intraperitonial injection

Figure 2: Subcutaneous injection

Figure 3:Intramuscular injection

c) Handling and restraining rabbit

1. Handling injection for rabbit

Figure 4: Intravenous injection DISCUSSION: 1. Handling the animals in a proper manner is the utmost important thing in studies involving animals. 2. Inappropriate handling of animals may cause pain, discomfort and stress in animals. This will result in fractious response, undesirable experimental variables and even the animals will cause injury to the handler. 3. There are safety regulations needed to be followed by the personnel is involved with animals for studies. Besides proper handling of animals, the usage of proper PPE will provide more safety for the researcher. A long sleeve lab coat or other sleeve protection should be used to avoid scratch injury. Special gloves which are made from stainless steel mesh or heavy leather gauntlet can be used while handling larger

animals to avoid bite injury. Other compulsory items also must be used such as facemask and shoe covering. 4. Prior to animal handling, the handler must make sure the environment is free from unusual noises, defective equipment are replaced, slippery surfaces are avoided and eliminate distraction for the handler. CONCLUSION: The proper handling of animals in animal studies are very important as it will reduce the stress of animals involved in studies as well as accurate experimental variables can be obtained. REFERENCE: 1. Hawkins, Penny. “Recognising and Assessing Pain, Suffering and Distress in Laboratory Animals: A Survey of Current Practices in the UK with Recommendations”. Laboratory Animals. 36.4 (2002): 378-95 2. Webster, J. “The Assessment and Implementation of Animal Welfare: Theory into Practice”. Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz. 24.2 (2005): 723-34. 3. Bauman, Vera. “Science-based assessment of animal welfare: laboratory animals”. Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz. 24.2 (2005): 503-14. 4. The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals, 8th Edition, Wiley-Blackwell: April 2010. QUESTIONS: 1. What are the rules and regulations to carry out the research in animals? In the United States, animal testing on vertebrates is primarily regulated by the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (AWA), and the Animal Welfare Regulations which is enforced by the Animal Care division of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The AWA contains provisions to ensure that individuals of covered species used in research receive a certain standard of care and treatment, provided that the standard of care and treatment does not interfere with "the design, outlines, or guidelines of actual research or experimentation. Currently, AWA only protects mammals. In 2002, the Farm Security Act of 2002, the fifth amendment to the AWA, specifically excluded purpose-bred birds, rats, and mice (as opposed to wild-captured mice, rats, and birds) from regulations. Even though most animals used in research are mice, rats, and fish, over a million other research animals per year are covered by the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations. The AWA requires each institution using covered species to maintain an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which is responsible for local compliance with the Act. In addition, the IACUC reviews and approves each animal use protocol, which is a written description the researchers submit describing all procedures to be done with laboratory animals. Researchers must consult with a veterinarian for each procedure that may cause more than momentary pain or distress to the animals. In addition, a written justification for these procedures, as well as documentation of a search for alternatives to these procedures, must be included with the protocol. The IACUC must review and approve these protocols at least annually. The IACUC also inspects all the animal facilities, including satellite facilities, every 6 months. As a part of this semi-annual inspection the committee also reviews the entire animal care and use program, and submits a "semiannual report" to the Institutional Official.The Guide (enforced by OLAW) also has requirements for IACUC responsibilities and program reviews.

2. Discuss the health and safety issue while handling the laboratory animals a. Physical injuries occurs from stracthes and bites especially from rodents,rabbits,dogs and cats.The laboratory animals’ nature are unpredictable sometimes and any injury caused by them should be reported immediately. If the injury was caused by infected animals medical advice and supervision is required. b. The possibility of zoonotic dieases must always be considered.Although zoonotic diseases are not common,the prevention,detection and eradication of zoonotic diseases from the laboratory animals should be the primary concern of the handler. c. There are allergic hazards associated with breathing or contacting animal dander or urine allergens.