Refinement: Handling, housing, procedures
Culture of Care
Culture of Care is an important principle that expresses a commitment to improving animal welfare, scientific quality, appreciation of staff and transparency for all stakeholders.
Refinement Techniques
Stressfree handling of mice: Cup- or tunnel handling
how-to-pick-up-a-mouse (NC3Rs)
mouse handling video-clips (NC3Rs)
Poster in German, English and French available at our office
Video: Gentle mouse handling and training (Rise)
Rat tickling
Poster in German, English and French available at our office
Rat handling
Video: Gentle rat handling and training (Rise)
Application methods
Safe i.p. injection with Stop-Cap method (PDF, 220 KB)
Alternative scruff method for s.c. injection, mouse
Diverse training videos (procedures with care)
Why needles should not be used multiple times
Voluntary oral intake (gavage alternatives, injection alternatives)
Voluntary oral intake of substances avoids handling stress and can replace injections and oral gavages. Here are some examples:
Instillation with honey (Mouse)
Blood sampling
Refinement of blood sampling (NC3Rs)
Asepsis
Aseptic techniques for rodent surgery (procedures with care)
Housing of laboratory animals
Article: A good life for laboratory rodents?
Recommendations to reduce male mouse aggression at UZH (PDF, 206 KB)