BIO-SERVBIO-SERV RODENT BEHAVIOR AND BREEDING TECHNIQUES ANIMAL RESEARCH DIETS ENRICHMENT PRODUCTS MEDICATED PRODUCTS LAWTE MEETING 2009

BIO-SERVBIO-SERVBIO-SERVBIO-SERV

RODENT BEHAVIOR AND RODENT BEHAVIOR AND BREEDING TECHNIQUESBREEDING TECHNIQUESRODENT BEHAVIOR AND RODENT BEHAVIOR AND BREEDING TECHNIQUESBREEDING TECHNIQUES

•ANIMAL RESEARCH DIETS

•ENRICHMENT PRODUCTS

•MEDICATED PRODUCTS LAWTE MEETING 2009

WHY ENRICHMENT?WHY ENRICHMENT? WHY ENRICHMENT?WHY ENRICHMENT?

BIO-SERV“YOUR ONE SOURCE”

ENRICHMENTENRICHMENTENRICHMENTENRICHMENT

- Fosters the expression of species Fosters the expression of species specific behaviorspecific behavior

- Improves animal welfareImproves animal welfare- Enhances psychological well being Enhances psychological well being

of animals in studies of animals in studies - CAN BE DONE WITHOUT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT

PERTURBING RESEARCHPERTURBING RESEARCH

- Fosters the expression of species Fosters the expression of species specific behaviorspecific behavior

- Improves animal welfareImproves animal welfare- Enhances psychological well being Enhances psychological well being

of animals in studies of animals in studies - CAN BE DONE WITHOUT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT

PERTURBING RESEARCHPERTURBING RESEARCH

3

BIO-SERVBIO-SERV““YOUR ONE SOURCE”YOUR ONE SOURCE”

BROADENING YOUR EEBROADENING YOUR EEPROGRAM:PROGRAM:

• METHODS TO ALLEVIATE STRESS DURING DOSINGMETHODS TO ALLEVIATE STRESS DURING DOSING

• SOLUTIONS TO HELP THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDSSOLUTIONS TO HELP THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

• ENRICHMENT DEVICES AS MORE THAN TOYSENRICHMENT DEVICES AS MORE THAN TOYS

• EDIBLE TREATS AND THEIR BENEFITSEDIBLE TREATS AND THEIR BENEFITS

THINKING THINKING OUTSIDE THE OUTSIDE THE

CAGECAGE


Enhances physiological and Enhances physiological and

psychological well being of animalspsychological well being of animals

Does not perturb researchDoes not perturb research

Enrichment tools must be affordable, Enrichment tools must be affordable, reusable and easy to sanitizereusable and easy to sanitize

AN IDEAL EE PROGRAM:AN IDEAL EE PROGRAM:

Less stress, Less stereo-typical Less stress, Less stereo-typical behavior, Less variables. behavior, Less variables.

A BETTER RESEARCH MODEL!A BETTER RESEARCH MODEL!But

why?


WHEN CONSIDERING WHEN CONSIDERING ENRICHMENT ENRICHMENT

DEVICES,DEVICES, WHAT DO WE WANT WHAT DO WE WANT TO PROMOTE IN THE TO PROMOTE IN THE

SPECIES?SPECIES?

WHEN CONSIDERING WHEN CONSIDERING ENRICHMENT ENRICHMENT

DEVICES,DEVICES, WHAT DO WE WANT WHAT DO WE WANT TO PROMOTE IN THE TO PROMOTE IN THE

SPECIES?SPECIES?


SPECIES SPECIES SPECIFIC SPECIFIC BEHAVIORBEHAVIOR

SPECIES SPECIES SPECIFIC SPECIFIC BEHAVIORBEHAVIOR


WHY ENRICHMENT TREATS?WHY ENRICHMENT TREATS?WHY ENRICHMENT TREATS?WHY ENRICHMENT TREATS?


ENRICHMENT TREATS ARE ENRICHMENT TREATS ARE USED FOR: USED FOR:

ENRICHMENT TREATS ARE ENRICHMENT TREATS ARE USED FOR: USED FOR:

• Behavioral studiesBehavioral studies

• Picking/foraging Picking/foraging

• Positive reward for less Positive reward for less desirable proceduresdesirable procedures

•Stimulate appetiteStimulate appetite


ACCORDING TO NIH ACCORDING TO NIH

WHAT “FLAVOR” ISWHAT “FLAVOR” IS

DEEMED A RODENT’S DEEMED A RODENT’S

FAVORITE FLAVOR?FAVORITE FLAVOR?


WHERE'S THE BACON??

WHERE'S THE BACON??

BACONBACON


WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST

COMMON POST SURGICALCOMMON POST SURGICAL

PROBLEM THE ANIMAL CAREPROBLEM THE ANIMAL CARE

STAFF NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF ?STAFF NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF ?


DEHYDRATIONDEHYDRATION


GENERALIZED ILLNESSGENERALIZED ILLNESSDENTAL PROBLEMSDENTAL PROBLEMSPHYSICAL OR NEUROLOGICAL PHYSICAL OR NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTSIMPAIRMENTSSTIMULATE APPETITESTIMULATE APPETITE

•NUTRA GELNUTRA GEL•BACON SOFTIESBACON SOFTIES•TRANSGENIC DOUGHTRANSGENIC DOUGH•LIQUID RODENT DIETSLIQUID RODENT DIETS

Special Diets


NATURAL BEHAVIORSNATURAL BEHAVIORS

VERSUSVERSUS

ABNORMAL BEHAVIORS ABNORMAL BEHAVIORS

NATURAL BEHAVIORSNATURAL BEHAVIORS

VERSUSVERSUS

ABNORMAL BEHAVIORS ABNORMAL BEHAVIORS


Environmental Enrichment for Laboratory Animals (2-Apr-2004)K. L. Stewart1 and K. Bayne21Freimann Life Science Center, University of Notre Dame, 400 Freimann Life Science Center, Notre Dame, IN, USA.

2AAALAC International, Rockville, MD, USA.

What is Stereotypic What is Stereotypic Behavior?Behavior?

What is Stereotypic What is Stereotypic Behavior?Behavior?

Defined as any ritualized, repetitive, Defined as any ritualized, repetitive, idiosyncratic, behavior that appears idiosyncratic, behavior that appears

to serve no function. to serve no function. (Berkson, 1968)(Berkson, 1968)

Defined as any ritualized, repetitive, Defined as any ritualized, repetitive, idiosyncratic, behavior that appears idiosyncratic, behavior that appears

to serve no function. to serve no function. (Berkson, 1968)(Berkson, 1968)


RODENTSRODENTSRODENTSRODENTS

Normal vs. Stereotypical BehaviorNormal vs. Stereotypical Behavior Normal vs. Stereotypical BehaviorNormal vs. Stereotypical Behavior



OUR CHALLENGE WHEN OUR CHALLENGE WHEN CARING FOR RODENTSCARING FOR RODENTSOUR CHALLENGE WHEN OUR CHALLENGE WHEN CARING FOR RODENTSCARING FOR RODENTS

The Wild Mouse--naturally lives in a 80,000 sq. meter area The Wild Mouse--naturally lives in a 80,000 sq. meter area

= 3.4 million shoe box cages*= 3.4 million shoe box cages**J Gardner May 2008 EE Extravaganza*J Gardner May 2008 EE Extravaganza

Are territorial--enhanced when crowdedAre territorial--enhanced when crowded

Are thigmotaxic--hug walls and are stressed in open spacesAre thigmotaxic--hug walls and are stressed in open spaces

64-68 degrees--mice are thermally distressed--huddle*64-68 degrees--mice are thermally distressed--huddle**Moberg 2000*Moberg 2000

Live in kin groupsLive in kin groups

Do best when they can choose a mateDo best when they can choose a mate

*Drickamer 2003*Drickamer 2003

The Wild Mouse--naturally lives in a 80,000 sq. meter area The Wild Mouse--naturally lives in a 80,000 sq. meter area

= 3.4 million shoe box cages*= 3.4 million shoe box cages**J Gardner May 2008 EE Extravaganza*J Gardner May 2008 EE Extravaganza

Are territorial--enhanced when crowdedAre territorial--enhanced when crowded

Are thigmotaxic--hug walls and are stressed in open spacesAre thigmotaxic--hug walls and are stressed in open spaces

64-68 degrees--mice are thermally distressed--huddle*64-68 degrees--mice are thermally distressed--huddle**Moberg 2000*Moberg 2000

Live in kin groupsLive in kin groups

Do best when they can choose a mateDo best when they can choose a mate

*Drickamer 2003*Drickamer 2003


WHAT DO RODENTS NEED?WHAT DO RODENTS NEED?

FORAGING FORAGING

GNAWINGGNAWING

OPPORTUNITY FOR NEST BUILDINGOPPORTUNITY FOR NEST BUILDING

SHELTERSHELTER


NAME SOME NEST BUILDINGNAME SOME NEST BUILDINGACTIVITIES*ACTIVITIES*

*J GARNER MAY 2008 EE EXTRAVAGANZA*J GARNER MAY 2008 EE EXTRAVAGANZA

DIG/HOLLOWDIG/HOLLOW

HEAT MATERIALHEAT MATERIAL

HOLLOW BURROWHOLLOW BURROW

SORT MATERIALSSORT MATERIALSEXPAND EXPAND

WEAVE MATERIALWEAVE MATERIAL

Bar- MouthingBar- MouthingJumpingJumping

Back-flippingBack-flippingBarberingBarbering

TwirlingTwirlingWurbel and Garner, Wurbel and Garner,

20022002

Bar- MouthingBar- MouthingJumpingJumping

Back-flippingBack-flippingBarberingBarbering

TwirlingTwirlingWurbel and Garner, Wurbel and Garner,

20022002


Rodent Stereotypical BehaviorRodent Stereotypical BehaviorRodent Stereotypical BehaviorRodent Stereotypical Behavior

Mice Flipping/SomersaultingMice Flipping/SomersaultingMice Flipping/SomersaultingMice Flipping/Somersaulting

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Mice TwirlingMice TwirlingMice TwirlingMice Twirling

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Rodent ArticlesRodent ArticlesRodent ArticlesRodent Articles

Social Housing-Social Housing-

Whenever possible rodents should be housed socially Whenever possible rodents should be housed socially in compatible groups- usually one male with several in compatible groups- usually one male with several females is the most successful. Females can be kept females is the most successful. Females can be kept with mice consisting of familiar animals (Woflensohn with mice consisting of familiar animals (Woflensohn and Lloyd, 1998)and Lloyd, 1998)

Singly housed animals show signs of impaired welfare Singly housed animals show signs of impaired welfare and cause social isolation (Wurbel 2002)and cause social isolation (Wurbel 2002)

Nesting MaterialNesting Material

Mice use different types of nesting material depending Mice use different types of nesting material depending upon the strain- shredded paper, paper towels, paper upon the strain- shredded paper, paper towels, paper strips, commercial nesting fibers, wood shavings ect. strips, commercial nesting fibers, wood shavings ect. (Olsson and Dahlborn, 2002)(Olsson and Dahlborn, 2002)

Social Housing-Social Housing-

Whenever possible rodents should be housed socially Whenever possible rodents should be housed socially in compatible groups- usually one male with several in compatible groups- usually one male with several females is the most successful. Females can be kept females is the most successful. Females can be kept with mice consisting of familiar animals (Woflensohn with mice consisting of familiar animals (Woflensohn and Lloyd, 1998)and Lloyd, 1998)

Singly housed animals show signs of impaired welfare Singly housed animals show signs of impaired welfare and cause social isolation (Wurbel 2002)and cause social isolation (Wurbel 2002)

Nesting MaterialNesting Material

Mice use different types of nesting material depending Mice use different types of nesting material depending upon the strain- shredded paper, paper towels, paper upon the strain- shredded paper, paper towels, paper strips, commercial nesting fibers, wood shavings ect. strips, commercial nesting fibers, wood shavings ect. (Olsson and Dahlborn, 2002)(Olsson and Dahlborn, 2002)

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Rodent ArticlesRodent ArticlesRodent ArticlesRodent Articles

Cage StructuresCage Structures--

More controversial than nesting material. More controversial than nesting material.

Canadian Council on Animal Care (1993)- using cage Canadian Council on Animal Care (1993)- using cage structures for mice yielded equivocal results.structures for mice yielded equivocal results.

Leach (2000) found that providing structural enrichment Leach (2000) found that providing structural enrichment to rats= increased exploratory behavior, less bar to rats= increased exploratory behavior, less bar gnawing, less drinking behavior. gnawing, less drinking behavior.

Shelters and complex cages may benefit some mice, Shelters and complex cages may benefit some mice, can induce territoriality and become issues for others can induce territoriality and become issues for others (Ollson and Dahlborn , 2002)(Ollson and Dahlborn , 2002)

Providing shelters to mice showed positive effects on Providing shelters to mice showed positive effects on animal welfare and allow for mice easieranimal welfare and allow for mice easier

handling (Moons et al (2004)handling (Moons et al (2004)

Cage StructuresCage Structures--

More controversial than nesting material. More controversial than nesting material.

Canadian Council on Animal Care (1993)- using cage Canadian Council on Animal Care (1993)- using cage structures for mice yielded equivocal results.structures for mice yielded equivocal results.

Leach (2000) found that providing structural enrichment Leach (2000) found that providing structural enrichment to rats= increased exploratory behavior, less bar to rats= increased exploratory behavior, less bar gnawing, less drinking behavior. gnawing, less drinking behavior.

Shelters and complex cages may benefit some mice, Shelters and complex cages may benefit some mice, can induce territoriality and become issues for others can induce territoriality and become issues for others (Ollson and Dahlborn , 2002)(Ollson and Dahlborn , 2002)

Providing shelters to mice showed positive effects on Providing shelters to mice showed positive effects on animal welfare and allow for mice easieranimal welfare and allow for mice easier

handling (Moons et al (2004)handling (Moons et al (2004)26


CAN YOU NAME CAN YOU NAME THREE THREE

BIO-SERV RODENT BIO-SERV RODENT BREEDING TIPS?BREEDING TIPS?

CAN YOU NAME CAN YOU NAME THREE THREE

BIO-SERV RODENT BIO-SERV RODENT BREEDING TIPS?BREEDING TIPS?


HINTS FOR HINTS FOR SUCCESSFUL RODENT BREEDINGSUCCESSFUL RODENT BREEDING

HINTS FOR HINTS FOR SUCCESSFUL RODENT BREEDINGSUCCESSFUL RODENT BREEDING

Love Mash Love Mash Love Mash Love Mash

Supreme Mini TreatsSupreme Mini Treats

Transitioning Diets--Bacon SoftiesTransitioning Diets--Bacon Softies

Sheltering--IgloosSheltering--Igloos

FertilityFertilityFertilityFertility

LOVE MASHLOVE MASH -high fat diet -simple formula- cod liver oil -high fat diet -simple formula- cod liver oil

basebase -increases lactation/size of dam/size of pups -increases lactation/size of dam/size of pups

up to 40%. up to 40%. - give as supplement at cage level-not sole - give as supplement at cage level-not sole

dietdiet -1-2 pieces per day from breeding through -1-2 pieces per day from breeding through

weaningweaning

LOVE MASHLOVE MASH -high fat diet -simple formula- cod liver oil -high fat diet -simple formula- cod liver oil

basebase -increases lactation/size of dam/size of pups -increases lactation/size of dam/size of pups

up to 40%. up to 40%. - give as supplement at cage level-not sole - give as supplement at cage level-not sole

dietdiet -1-2 pieces per day from breeding through -1-2 pieces per day from breeding through

weaningweaning

29

CannibalismCannibalismCannibalismCannibalism

CHOCOLATE MINI TREATSCHOCOLATE MINI TREATS

-Dissuades dam from ingesting pups -Dissuades dam from ingesting pups

after giving birthafter giving birth

-Once dam drops pups, give 1 treat -Once dam drops pups, give 1 treat

few times daily for few daysfew times daily for few days

-9 times out of 10 dam eats-9 times out of 10 dam eats

chocolate mini instead of pupchocolate mini instead of pup

CHOCOLATE MINI TREATSCHOCOLATE MINI TREATS

-Dissuades dam from ingesting pups -Dissuades dam from ingesting pups

after giving birthafter giving birth

-Once dam drops pups, give 1 treat -Once dam drops pups, give 1 treat

few times daily for few daysfew times daily for few days

-9 times out of 10 dam eats-9 times out of 10 dam eats

chocolate mini instead of pupchocolate mini instead of pup

30

ShelteringShelteringShelteringSheltering

Several sheltering options provided by Bio-ServSeveral sheltering options provided by Bio-Serv -Bio-Huts-paper huts-Bio-Huts-paper huts -Pup Tents-Pup Tents -Igloos-Igloos

Several sheltering options provided by Bio-ServSeveral sheltering options provided by Bio-Serv -Bio-Huts-paper huts-Bio-Huts-paper huts -Pup Tents-Pup Tents -Igloos-Igloos

31

Igloo StudyIgloo StudyIgloo StudyIgloo Study

••Study at Mass GeneralStudy at Mass General -performed on over 2000 breeder cages-performed on over 2000 breeder cages -igloos and nestlets in each cage-igloos and nestlets in each cage -Results: 50% of dams kept pups in nestlets, 50% in -Results: 50% of dams kept pups in nestlets, 50% in

igloos. Regardless, if igloo was present in the cage- 76% igloos. Regardless, if igloo was present in the cage- 76% increase in pup survival rate. increase in pup survival rate.

-Found that if dams kept pups in nestlets, positioned -Found that if dams kept pups in nestlets, positioned igloos to move airflow away from pups= decrease in igloos to move airflow away from pups= decrease in physiologic stress. If used igloos, decreased stress of physiologic stress. If used igloos, decreased stress of the dam by using igloo floors and decreasing the dam by using igloo floors and decreasing contamination and stress of the dam.contamination and stress of the dam.

••Study at Mass GeneralStudy at Mass General -performed on over 2000 breeder cages-performed on over 2000 breeder cages -igloos and nestlets in each cage-igloos and nestlets in each cage -Results: 50% of dams kept pups in nestlets, 50% in -Results: 50% of dams kept pups in nestlets, 50% in

igloos. Regardless, if igloo was present in the cage- 76% igloos. Regardless, if igloo was present in the cage- 76% increase in pup survival rate. increase in pup survival rate.

-Found that if dams kept pups in nestlets, positioned -Found that if dams kept pups in nestlets, positioned igloos to move airflow away from pups= decrease in igloos to move airflow away from pups= decrease in physiologic stress. If used igloos, decreased stress of physiologic stress. If used igloos, decreased stress of the dam by using igloo floors and decreasing the dam by using igloo floors and decreasing contamination and stress of the dam.contamination and stress of the dam.

32


WHAT IS THE WHAT IS THE PERFECT EE PERFECT EE

SOLUTION FOR SOLUTION FOR RODENTS?RODENTS?

WHAT IS THE WHAT IS THE PERFECT EE PERFECT EE

SOLUTION FOR SOLUTION FOR RODENTS?RODENTS?


THERE IS NONE!THERE IS NONE!THERE IS NONE!THERE IS NONE! WE HAVE COME A LONG WAYWE HAVE COME A LONG WAY

MORE RESEARCH NEEDEDMORE RESEARCH NEEDED

NO ONE SIZE FITS ALLNO ONE SIZE FITS ALL

KNOW YOUR ANIMAL(S)KNOW YOUR ANIMAL(S)

KEEP THE SPECIES IN MIND VERSUS KEEP THE SPECIES IN MIND VERSUS HUMAN CONVENIENCESHUMAN CONVENIENCES

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAYWE HAVE COME A LONG WAY

MORE RESEARCH NEEDEDMORE RESEARCH NEEDED

NO ONE SIZE FITS ALLNO ONE SIZE FITS ALL

KNOW YOUR ANIMAL(S)KNOW YOUR ANIMAL(S)

KEEP THE SPECIES IN MIND VERSUS KEEP THE SPECIES IN MIND VERSUS HUMAN CONVENIENCESHUMAN CONVENIENCES

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS/DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS/DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS/DISCUSSION

ANY QUESTIONS??ANY QUESTIONS??

Documents

BIO-SERVBIO-SERV RODENT BEHAVIOR AND BREEDING TECHNIQUES ANIMAL RESEARCH DIETS ENRICHMENT PRODUCTS MEDICATED PRODUCTS LAWTE MEETING 2009