Investigating the Effect of Enterally Administered Capromorelin on Body Weight in Mice (Mus musculus).

Significant weight loss in mice (Mus musculus) is a welfare concern and can alter physiology and behavior in ways that may confound research aims. In this study, factorial design was used to investigate the effect of enterally administered capromorelin on changes in mouse body weight overall and with various research-related interventions, such as administration of analgesics, anesthesia, or surgery. BALB/c mice (n = 61 [27 males/34 females] for analysis) were randomized into 8 intervention-treatment groups with 2 treatment allocations: capromorelin (10 mg/kg) or control, and 4 intervention allocations: no intervention; buprenorphine extended-release (XR) alone; buprenorphine XR, meloxicam, and anesthesia; or surgery under anesthesia with buprenorphine XR, meloxicam, and bupivacaine administered.

Comparison of Two Hair Removal Methods in Sprague-Dawley Rats ().

Rats commonly undergo surgery for research purposes. However, the effects of different methods of hair removal on wound healing and surgical site infections (SSI) in rats has not been evaluated. The current study evaluated 2 hair removal methods, clipping with an electric clipper and using a depilatory agent, and their effect on wound healing and SSI.

Effect of Home Cage Bedding in the Induction Chamber on Serum Cortisol and Corticosterone Levels in Response to Isoflurane-induced Anesthesia in C57BL/6J Mice.

Mice are routinely anesthetized with isoflurane in an induction chamber. The AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals states that distress should be minimized during euthanasia but does not address this point in regard to induction of anesthesia. Here we evaluated the potential for familiar surroundings to reduce the adrenocortical response of mice during anesthesia induction with isoflurane.

Evaluation of medicated gel as a supplement to providing acetaminophen in the drinking water of C57BL/6 mice after surgery.

After surgery, rodents frequently receive acetaminophen-treated drinking water for pain relief, but the effectiveness of this practice is often questioned. Gel products are now available to facilitate the delivery of oral medication to rodents after surgery. We sought to compare consumption of flavored medicated gel and medicated water after surgery and to determine whether providing supplemental acetaminophen in gel form ensures the ingestion of a therapeutic dose of an analgesic after surgery.