Minimizing Dosing Stress During the Pre- and Post-Operative Period

Rodent surgical models are instrumental in biomedical research; therefore establishing healthy defined animal models is crucial to this research. Surgical procedures produce metabolic changes and stress in rodents, which can delay recovery and increase morbidity. A goal of post-operative care is to minimize stress in the animal, thereby improving the ability of the animal to heal and recover and provide reliable research outcomes. Stress-free oral dosing methods such as voluntary oral consumption and rewarding after traditional dosing methods are effective strategies to decrease stress in recovering animals. Stress-free dosing methods, as well as the rationale for including these refinements in rodent surgical procedures will be discussed.

Improving the Post-Operative Recovery of Rodents Through
Nutrition and Edible Enrichment

Rodent surgical models are instrumental in biomedical research; therefore establishing healthy defined animal models is crucial to this research. Surgical procedures produce metabolic changes and stress in rodents, which can delay recovery and increase morbidity. A goal of post-operative care is to minimize stress in the animal, thereby improving the ability of the animal to heal and recover. Nutritional supplementation and enrichment have been demonstrated to play a role in improving the post-operative recovery of rodents. Proper nutrition and the administration of post-operative diets and appetite stimulants are critical to rodent recovery and survival post-surgery in order to minimize weight and protein loss and ultimately help the animal maintain body weight and return to a normal metabolic state. An overview of the metabolic effects of surgery on rodent metabolism will be presented. Post-surgical nutritional support and edible enrichment for post-operative supplementation and monitoring, as well as the rational for including these refinements in rodent surgical procedures will be discussed.

It's not just a toy; NHP Enrichment Strategies

Environmental Enrichment (EE) is a very important aspect of good husbandry and welfare of all laboratory animals in our care. The challenge when considering the use of EE is understanding the purpose of enrichment and furthermore, knowing what kind of enrichment works in your environment. Primate enrichment can be particularly challenging due to their complex behaviors, high intellect, but limited attention span. This discussion will include why we provide enrichment, ways to broaden your enrichment program, methodology on thinking of toys as more than just toys and include some thinking outside the box enrichment ideas for non-human primates in a captive environment.

Does Rodent Enrichment Make Sense/Cents?

In the revised Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals there are new recommendations regarding the addition of rodent enrichment to animal care programs. Environmental Enrichment (EE) is a very important aspect of good husbandry and care of our laboratory animals. The challenge when considering the use of rodent EE is understanding the purpose of enrichment and furthermore, knowing what kind of enrichment is species appropriate. Bio Serv will present an overview of normal rodent behaviors, signs of maladaptive behaviors and discuss how EE can complement your overall rodent care program.