Procedures with Care

This Web site provides a series of resources to assist research workers develop their skills in the administration of substances and in aseptic techniques in rodent surgery. The focus is on rats and mice since these are the most widely used laboratory animals. This site covers a series of techniques performed on rats and mice and it focuses particularly on the manual skills needed to carry out the different procedures humanely and efficiently and on the need to handle animals carefully to reduce any distress caused by the procedure. On each "procedure" page the user can view a QuickTime film of the procedure. Each filmcomes with an audio commentary. At the end of each page the user can click on the "trainers pack", a pack that lets the user download the video and still images for use in individual training activities. The Administration of substances section includes: View Full Introduction; Demonstrates subcutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal injection, and oral gavage techniques in mice and rats, intramuscular injection in the rat, and demonstrates correct handling and restraint of mice and rats. The Aseptic technique section includes: Full Tutorial; Introduction; Instruments; Other Materials; Preparation of the Animal; Preparation of the Surgeon; Preparation for Surgery; The Surgical Procedure; and Batch Surgery.

Comments & References: Further material will be added to expand the range of techniques and species in the future. The material was developed by Newcastle University with the support of the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and The Institute of Animal Technology (IAT).

Publication Year: 2010, Updated April 2013

Price: Free of charge