HOW TO GIVE DRUGS AND TAKE SAMPLES OF TEST ANIMAL SAMPLES Practical Objectives Students are expected to be able to hold, treat and take fluid samples from mice, rats and rabbits correctly Tool 1. Mask 2. Gloves 3. Retrain cage 4. Oral syringe 5. 1 ml syringe Test animals used 1. Mice 2. Rats 3. Rabbit Practical Procedures Before you handle mice and other animals, you should use toolspersonal protection in the form of laboratory clothes, gloves and masks. If you havehistory of allergies to animals used in this experiment, please report it immediately toinstructor. 1. Holding Mice a. Mice were removed by meansholding the tail upwards withright hand. b. Then place the mice on the surfacethe rough ones leave the mice alone reach/grasp the baserough (cage wire). c.Then, with the thumb and index finger, the left hand pinches the skin of the mouse's nape as tightly as possible. d.The tail is removed from the right hand, clamped between the little finger and ring finger of the left hand. e. Thus, the mice were caughtby the left hand and ready to be giventreatment. 2. How to Hold a Rat a.Rats are intelligent animals and respond well when handled properly. b.Rats will not attack unless they feel threatened or provoked. Using gloves not only reduces the risk of allergies, but also avoids exposure to pheromones and other chemical compounds that can make mice nervous. c.Lift the animal gently placing your hands around the upper chest, without squeezing. Place your thumb under the animal's jaw if you are afraid of being bitten, but do not apply pressure to the throat.with d.Rats will remain relaxed if their stomachs are gently massaged. Speak calmly and avoid high-pitched sounds. Remember to restrain the animal's hindquarters as well. How to Hold a Rabbit a.The rabbit should be positioned on a towel or laboratory gown. Make sure you have full control of the animal at all times so the rabbit cannot harm itself by jumping off the table. b.Hold the skin around the rabbit's neck. c.Hold the bottom of the rabbit with your other hand. d.Lift the rabbit's hindquarters by supporting the hip area between the legs. e.The right arm can now be temporarily released, for example to open the cage door. The animal's head should be covered at all times by your elbow. f.Rabbits can be held using a lab coat, thick towel or cloth wrapped around the animal, providing a sense of security. Rabbits don't like to be left out in the open. g.In this example the rabbit is restrained using loose woven fabric which is secured using blunt knitting needles. h.In this example a towel is usually used to tightly wrap a rabbit. i.The eyes can be closed to further calm the animal, but caution should be exercised if the rabbit is sedated, as the respiratory depression caused by many sedatives can be fatal if the airways are compromised. j.The towel should be tucked under the rabbit's hindquarters so the animal cannot struggle backwards from the towel. k.The same method can be applied to lab coats.