This skill will require you to perform technical procedures on rodents including; administration of drugs or medications, collecting blood samples, and performing oral dosing. Upon completion of this skill, you will be able to properly restrain, handle, medicate, and collect blood samples from rodent and rabbit patients.
Tips for materials that need to be submitted:
Video of student performing each of the following procedures:
Blood collection from a rabbit and a rat
You must collect the blood from the tail vein of the rat
Slightly warming the tail will help increase blood flow
Make sure you prep the site
Blood collection from the marginal ear vein or the saphenous vein of a rabbit
The blood should be collected from the lateral side of the pinna (the back side of the pinna) if using the marginal ear vein
There are excellent images of this procedure in your Lab Animal textbook
Make sure you prep the site
Make sure you review your study materials so you know where these veins are located to ensure that you draw from the correct location
Subcutaneous injection on a rat or mouse
You do not need to inject a drug you can use sterile saline
Make sure you show aspiration to make sure you are not in a blood vessel
It is easiest to give this in the back of the neck where there is an adequate amount of loose skin
Oral dosing of a rat
YOU MUST USE THE ORAL GAVAGE TECHNIQUE. You cannot just administer the medication by oral syringe. A feeding needle was one of the required items on the equipment list
Make sure your feeding needle is the appropriate size for your patient, it should not be too large or small
The rat must be properly and firmly restrained. Remember the feeding needle is being inserted into the esophagus of your patient, if your patient is not properly restrained it can result in injury
You need to verify proper placement before administering the medication. Often times the rat will swallow as the needle passes down the esophagus
Do not rotate the needle once it is placed, or else you may rupture the esophagus (especially if you are using an non-flexible feeding needle)
You cannot use a flexible rubber catheter you must use a feeding needle
Helpful resources in addition to your textbooks and study materials:
Accepted Levels of Sedation:
Oral dosing:
Patients can be awake or lightly sedated, but they must have a swallow reflex.
Patients can be awake or lightly sedated for all other parts of skill.