3 T Training Tool: CD Mouse™

CD Mouse™ is part of the 3 Ts Training Tools for demonstration, teaching, practice and validation of competency of cervical dislocation euthanasia in rodents. The 3 Ts is a method used to provide training to individuals working with animals in research, testing and teaching settings. The 3 Ts incorporates simple, inexpensive, and effective hand-crafted tools to teach and encourage practice of non-surgical and surgical procedures, prior to conducting similar training and practice on live animals. 

More information about Translational Training Tools™ here.

CD Mouse is made from a series of interlocking beads that serve as the headand vertebrae of the mouse. With enough pressure placed between the first and second beads, the first bead will separate from the rest of the chain. Begin the hands-on training with just the string of beads used to address the concept of the tool, and see how it mimics the cervical dislocation procedure. Practice the hand position and gain an appreciation for the amount of pressure required to disarticulate the beads. Advance by using an intermediate version where the series of interlocking beads is placed inside a small balloon so that the trainee can no longer see the separation of each of the beads. The end of the balloon can serve as a tail of the mouse. Proceed to the advanced version which has a finger puppet mouse placed over balloon-covered strand of interlocking beads. The finger puppet adds more layers which can mimic the tissue layers that lay overtop of the cervical spine of the mouse. Additional force is required to accomplish the disarticulation with this version of the CD Mouse™.

Different approaches to the procedure can be taught with each level of the tool from the basic to advanced CD Mouse™. Proceed to practice on anesthetised animals.

Ingredients:

• 4 - Round, connecting plastic beads (our preference is Pop-Arty! beads, 10mm diameter) for the basic, intermediate and advanced version of the tool
• 1 – Water balloon; 2 “ diameter for the intermediate version of the tool
• 1 – mouse shaped finger puppet or cat toy, with stuffing removed, it is preferable if the toy has a tail

Instructions:

1. Attach 4-5 plastic beads together to create the basic version of the CD Mouse™ and for the skeletal portion of the intermediate and advanced versions of the CD Mouse™
2. Insert beads into empty water balloon and tie off the end to create the intermediate version of the CD Mouse™ and the center part of the advanced version
3. Insert the bead-filled balloon into the finger puppet or cat toy

Images to help guide the process of making a CD Mouse™, please see The Joy of Training Cookbook, Volume 1, page 48-50. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Wendy Williams.

3 Ts Training Tools consists of the following products: 

• FP Balloon™
  • IM Foosbun™ 
• Venipuncture Tools:
  • Tube Tail™ (venipuncture of the lateral tail vein)
  • Spongy Bunear™ (venipuncture of the rabbit marginal ear vein)
  • Ear Piggy Piggy™ (venipuncture of the marginal ear vein of pigs)
  • Cephalic Tube™ (venipuncture of the canine or feline cephalic vein)
• Cardiac Balloon™ (cardiac-puncture blood collection in rodents)
• CD Mouse™ (validation of competency of cervical dislocation euthanasia in rodents)
• Pink E. D. Cap™ (validation of competency of decapitation euthanasia of neonatal mice)

Please see The Joy of Training Cookbook, Volume 2: (Recipies for crafting your own purpose-specific training tools for surgery practice), PART II: Aseptic Technique Training, Practice and Assessment). 

Please see Dexterity Tools™ and Exercises from Volume 2:

1. Macro Dexterity Tools™:

1. 1. Bead Board™
   2. Neuter Board™
   3. Tissue Board™
   4. Nail Board™
   5. Cutting Ring™