Laboratory Animals

Scientific experiments using animals have contributed significantly to the improvement of human health. Animal experiments were crucial to the conquest of polio, for example, and they will undoubtedly be one of the keystones in AIDS research. However, some persons believe that the cost to the animals is often high. Authored by a committee of experts from various fields, this book discusses the benefits that have resulted from animal research, the scope of animal research today, the concerns of advocates of animal welfare, and the prospects for finding alternatives to animal use. The authors conclude with specific recommendations for more consistent government action.

In the years since the third edition of this indispensable reference was published, a great deal has been learned about the nutritional requirements of common laboratory species: rat, mouse, guinea pig, hamster, gerbil, and vole. The Fourth Revised Edition presents the current expert understanding of the lipid, carbohydrate, protein, mineral, vitamin, and other nutritional needs of these animals. The extensive use of tables provides easy access to a wealth of comprehensive data and resource information. The volume also provides an expanded background discussion of general dietary considerations. In addition to a more user-friendly organization, new features in this edition include: A significantly expanded section on dietary requirements for rats, reporting substantial new findings. A new section on nutrients that are not required but that may produce beneficial results. New information on growth and reproductive performance among the most commonly used strains of rats and mice and on several hamster species. An expanded discussion of diet formulation and preparationâ€"including sample diets of both purified and natural ingredients. New information on mineral deficiency and toxicity, including warning signs. This authoritative resource will be important to researchers, laboratory technicians, and manufacturers of laboratory animal feed.

Gnotobiotics summarizes and analyzes the research conducted on the use of gnotobiotes, providing detailed information regarding actual facility operation and derivation of gnotobiotic animals. In response to the development of new tools for microbiota and microbiome analysis, the increasing recognition of the various roles of microbiota in health and disease, and the consequent expanding demand for gnotobiotic animals for microbiota/microbiome related research, this volume collates the research of this expanding field into one definitive resource. Reviews and defines gnotobiotic animal species Analyzes microbiota in numerous contexts Presents detailed coverage of the protocols and operation of a gnotobiotic facility

A respected resource for decades, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has been updated by a committee of experts, taking into consideration input from the scientific and laboratory animal communities and the public at large. The Guide incorporates new scientific information on common laboratory animals, including aquatic species, and includes extensive references. It is organized around major components of animal use: Key concepts of animal care and use. The Guide sets the framework for the humane care and use of laboratory animals. Animal care and use program. The Guide discusses the concept of a broad Program of Animal Care and Use, including roles and responsibilities of the Institutional Official, Attending Veterinarian and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Animal environment, husbandry, and management. A chapter on this topic is now divided into sections on terrestrial and aquatic animals and provides recommendations for housing and environment, husbandry, behavioral and population management, and more. Veterinary care. The Guide discusses veterinary care and the responsibilities of the Attending Veterinarian. It includes recommendations on animal procurement and transportation, preventive medicine (including animal biosecurity), and clinical care and management. The Guide addresses distress and pain recognition and relief, and issues surrounding euthanasia. Physical plant. The Guide identifies design issues, providing construction guidelines for functional areas; considerations such as drainage, vibration and noise control, and environmental monitoring; and specialized facilities for animal housing and research needs. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals provides a framework for the judgments required in the management of animal facilities. This updated and expanded resource of proven value will be important to scientists and researchers, veterinarians, animal care personnel, facilities managers, institutional administrators, policy makers involved in research issues, and animal welfare advocates.

Background Lesions in Laboratory Animals will be an invaluable aid to pathologists needing to recognize background and incidental lesions while examining slides taken from laboratory animals in acute and chronic toxicity studies, or while examining exotic species in a diagnostic laboratory. It gives clear descriptions and illustrations of the majority of background lesions likely to be encountered. Many of the lesions covered are unusual and can be mistaken for treatment-related findings in preclinical toxicity studies. The Atlas has been prepared with contributions from experienced toxicological pathologists who are specialists in each of the laboratory animal species covered and who have published extensively in these areas. over 600 high-definition, top-quality color photographs of background lesions found in rats, mice, dogs, minipigs, non-human primates, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits a separate chapter on lesions in the reproductive systems of all laboratory animals written by Dr Dianne Creasy, a world expert on testicular lesions in laboratory animals a chapter on common artifacts that may be observed in histological glass slides extensive references to each lesion described aging lesions encountered in all laboratory animal species, particularly in rats in mice which are used for carcinogenicity studies

Laboratory Animal Medicine is a compilation of papers that deals with the diseases and biology of major species of animals used in medical research. The book discusses animal medicine, experimental methods and techniques, design and management of animal facilities, and legislation on laboratory animals. Several papers discuss the biology and diseases of mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits. Another paper addresses the dog and cat as laboratory animals, including sourcing of these animals, housing, feeding, and their nutritional needs, as well as breeding and colony management. The book also describes ungulates as laboratory animals, including topics on sourcing, husbandry, preventive medical treatments, and housing facilities. One paper addresses primates as test animals, covering the biology and diseases of old world primates, Cebidae, and ferrets. Some papers pertain to the treatment, diseases, and needed facilities for birds, amphibians, and fish. Other papers then deal with techniques of experimentation, anesthesia, euthanasia, and some factors (spontaneous diseases) that complicate animal research. The text can prove helpful for scientists, clinical assistants, and researchers whose work involves laboratory animals.

Laboratory Animal Anesthesia looks at recent significant developments in anesthetic practices in laboratory experiments involving animals. It also provides information about basic standards for proper use of anesthesia. In addition, it examines the equipment and different anesthetic agents that are used in performing an experiment on animals. The book also discusses the profound effects of anesthesia on the physiological aspect of the animals’ body systems, such as hypothermia and respiratory depression. The book addresses the proper management and care that should be provided for the animals that undergo anesthesia. Furthermore, it covers different anesthetic procedures that should be used on various kinds of small animals intended for laboratory experiments. The main goal of this book is to provide information about the different anesthetic agents used in experiments, and the proper standards to follow when using anesthetics on lab animals. • New edition provides new information on anesthesia and analgesia, and has an extensively revised and updated bibliography • Provides a balanced consideration of the needs of scientific research and the welfare of laboratory animals • Written by a veterinary anesthetist and scientist with over 30 years' experience in the field, and who is actively engaged in research in this area • Provides rapid, easily accessed information using tabulated summaries • Provides those with limited experience of anesthesia with the information they need to carry our procedures effectively, safely, and humanely • Provides sufficient depth for the more experienced anesthetist moving to this field