BIO-SERVBIO-SERV RODENT BEHAVIOR AND BREEDING TECHNIQUES ANIMAL RESEARCH DIETS ENRICHMENT PRODUCTS MEDICATED PRODUCTS LAWTE MEETING 2009

WHY ENRICHMENT? WHY ENRICHMENT? BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE”

ENRICHMENTENRICHMENT -Fosters the expression of species specific behavior -Improves animal welfare -Enhances psychological well being of animals in studies -CAN BE DONE WITHOUT PERTURBING RESEARCH -Fosters the expression of species specific behavior -Improves animal welfare -Enhances psychological well being of animals in studies -CAN BE DONE WITHOUT PERTURBING RESEARCH 3

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” BROADENING YOUR EE PROGRAM: M METHODS TO ALLEVIATE STRESS DURING DOSING S SOLUTIONS TO HELP THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS E ENRICHMENT DEVICES AS MORE THAN TOYS DIBLE TREATS AND THEIR BENEFITS THINKING OUTSIDE THE CAGE

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE”  Enhances physiological and psychological well being of animals  Does not perturb research  Enrichment tools must be affordable, reusable and easy to sanitize AN IDEAL EE PROGRAM: Less stress, Less stereo-typical behavior, Less variables. A BETTER RESEARCH MODEL! But why ?

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” WHEN CONSIDERING ENRICHMENT DEVICES, WHAT DO WE WANT TO PROMOTE IN THE SPECIES?

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” SPECIES SPECIFIC BEHAVIOR

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” WHY ENRICHMENT TREATS?

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” ENRICHMENT TREATS ARE USED FOR: Behavioral studies Behavioral studies Picking/foraging Picking/foraging Positive reward for less desirable procedures Positive reward for less desirable procedures Stimulate appetiteStimulate appetite

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” ACCORDING TO NIH WHAT “FLAVOR” IS DEEMED A RODENT’S FAVORITE FLAVOR?

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” WHERE'S THE BACON?? BACON

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON POST SURGICAL PROBLEM THE ANIMAL CARE STAFF NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF ?

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” DEHYDRATION

BIO-SERV GENERALIZED ILLNESS DENTAL PROBLEMS PHYSICAL OR NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS STIMULATE APPETITE NUTRA GELNUTRA GEL BACON SOFTIESBACON SOFTIES TRANSGENIC DOUGH TRANSGENIC DOUGH LIQUID RODENT DIETSLIQUID RODENT DIETS Special Diets

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” NATURAL BEHAVIORS VERSUS ABNORMAL BEHAVIORS

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” Environmental Enrichment for Laboratory Animals (2-Apr-2004) K. L. Stewart1 and K. Bayne2 1Freimann Life Science Center, University of Notre Dame, 400 Freimann Life Science Center, Notre Dame, IN, USA. 2AAALAC International, Rockville, MD, USA.

What is Stereotypic Behavior?  Defined as any ritualized, repetitive, idiosyncratic, behavior that appears to serve no function. (Berkson, 1968) (Berkson, 1968)  Defined as any ritualized, repetitive, idiosyncratic, behavior that appears to serve no function. (Berkson, 1968) (Berkson, 1968) BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE”

RODENTSRODENTS Normal vs. Stereotypical Behavior Normal vs. Stereotypical Behavior BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE”

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” OUR CHALLENGE WHEN CARING FOR RODENTS The Wild Mouse--naturally lives in a 80,000 sq. meter area = 3.4 million shoe box cages* = 3.4 million shoe box cages* *J Gardner May 2008 EE Extravaganza Are territorial--enhanced when crowded Are thigmotaxic--hug walls and are stressed in open spaces degrees--mice are thermally distressed--huddle* *Moberg 2000 Live in kin groups Do best when they can choose a mate *Drickamer 2003 The Wild Mouse--naturally lives in a 80,000 sq. meter area = 3.4 million shoe box cages* = 3.4 million shoe box cages* *J Gardner May 2008 EE Extravaganza Are territorial--enhanced when crowded Are thigmotaxic--hug walls and are stressed in open spaces degrees--mice are thermally distressed--huddle* *Moberg 2000 Live in kin groups Do best when they can choose a mate *Drickamer 2003

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” WHAT DO RODENTS NEED? FORAGING FORAGING GNAWING OPPORTUNITY FOR NEST BUILDING SHELTER

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” NAME SOME NEST BUILDING ACTIVITIES* *J GARNER MAY 2008 EE EXTRAVAGANZA DIG/HOLLOW HEAT MATERIAL HOLLOW BURROW SORT MATERIALS EXPAND WEAVE MATERIAL

 Bar- Mouthing  Jumping  Back-flipping  Barbering  Twirling Wurbel and Garner, 2002  Bar- Mouthing  Jumping  Back-flipping  Barbering  Twirling Wurbel and Garner, 2002 BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” Rodent Stereotypical Behavior

Mice Flipping/Somersaulting 23

Mice Twirling 24

Rodent Articles Social Housing- Social Housing- Whenever possible rodents should be housed socially in compatible groups- usually one male with several females is the most successful. Females can be kept with mice consisting of familiar animals (Woflensohn and Lloyd, 1998) Whenever possible rodents should be housed socially in compatible groups- usually one male with several females is the most successful. Females can be kept with mice consisting of familiar animals (Woflensohn and Lloyd, 1998) Singly housed animals show signs of impaired welfare and cause social isolation (Wurbel 2002) Singly housed animals show signs of impaired welfare and cause social isolation (Wurbel 2002) Nesting Material Nesting Material Mice use different types of nesting material depending upon the strain- shredded paper, paper towels, paper strips, commercial nesting fibers, wood shavings ect. (Olsson and Dahlborn, 2002) Mice use different types of nesting material depending upon the strain- shredded paper, paper towels, paper strips, commercial nesting fibers, wood shavings ect. (Olsson and Dahlborn, 2002) Social Housing- Social Housing- Whenever possible rodents should be housed socially in compatible groups- usually one male with several females is the most successful. Females can be kept with mice consisting of familiar animals (Woflensohn and Lloyd, 1998) Whenever possible rodents should be housed socially in compatible groups- usually one male with several females is the most successful. Females can be kept with mice consisting of familiar animals (Woflensohn and Lloyd, 1998) Singly housed animals show signs of impaired welfare and cause social isolation (Wurbel 2002) Singly housed animals show signs of impaired welfare and cause social isolation (Wurbel 2002) Nesting Material Nesting Material Mice use different types of nesting material depending upon the strain- shredded paper, paper towels, paper strips, commercial nesting fibers, wood shavings ect. (Olsson and Dahlborn, 2002) Mice use different types of nesting material depending upon the strain- shredded paper, paper towels, paper strips, commercial nesting fibers, wood shavings ect. (Olsson and Dahlborn, 2002) 25

Rodent Articles Cage Structures- More controversial than nesting material. More controversial than nesting material. Canadian Council on Animal Care (1993)- using cage structures for mice yielded equivocal results. Canadian Council on Animal Care (1993)- using cage structures for mice yielded equivocal results. Leach (2000) found that providing structural enrichment to rats= increased exploratory behavior, less bar gnawing, less drinking behavior. Leach (2000) found that providing structural enrichment to rats= increased exploratory behavior, less bar gnawing, less drinking behavior. Shelters and complex cages may benefit some mice, can induce territoriality and become issues for others (Ollson and Dahlborn, 2002) Shelters and complex cages may benefit some mice, can induce territoriality and become issues for others (Ollson and Dahlborn, 2002) Providing shelters to mice showed positive effects on animal welfare and allow for mice easier Providing shelters to mice showed positive effects on animal welfare and allow for mice easier handling (Moons et al (2004) handling (Moons et al (2004) Cage Structures- More controversial than nesting material. More controversial than nesting material. Canadian Council on Animal Care (1993)- using cage structures for mice yielded equivocal results. Canadian Council on Animal Care (1993)- using cage structures for mice yielded equivocal results. Leach (2000) found that providing structural enrichment to rats= increased exploratory behavior, less bar gnawing, less drinking behavior. Leach (2000) found that providing structural enrichment to rats= increased exploratory behavior, less bar gnawing, less drinking behavior. Shelters and complex cages may benefit some mice, can induce territoriality and become issues for others (Ollson and Dahlborn, 2002) Shelters and complex cages may benefit some mice, can induce territoriality and become issues for others (Ollson and Dahlborn, 2002) Providing shelters to mice showed positive effects on animal welfare and allow for mice easier Providing shelters to mice showed positive effects on animal welfare and allow for mice easier handling (Moons et al (2004) handling (Moons et al (2004) 26

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” CAN YOU NAME THREE BIO-SERV RODENT BREEDING TIPS?

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” HINTS FOR SUCCESSFUL RODENT BREEDING  Love Mash Supreme Mini Treats Transitioning Diets--Bacon Softies Sheltering--Igloos

FertilityFertility  LOVE MASH -high fat diet -simple formula- cod liver oil base -high fat diet -simple formula- cod liver oil base -increases lactation/size of dam/size of pups up to 40%. -increases lactation/size of dam/size of pups up to 40%. - give as supplement at cage level-not sole diet - give as supplement at cage level-not sole diet -1-2 pieces per day from breeding through weaning -1-2 pieces per day from breeding through weaning  LOVE MASH -high fat diet -simple formula- cod liver oil base -high fat diet -simple formula- cod liver oil base -increases lactation/size of dam/size of pups up to 40%. -increases lactation/size of dam/size of pups up to 40%. - give as supplement at cage level-not sole diet - give as supplement at cage level-not sole diet -1-2 pieces per day from breeding through weaning -1-2 pieces per day from breeding through weaning 29

CannibalismCannibalism  CHOCOLATE MINI TREATS -Dissuades dam from ingesting pups -Dissuades dam from ingesting pups after giving birth after giving birth -Once dam drops pups, give 1 treat -Once dam drops pups, give 1 treat few times daily for few days few times daily for few days -9 times out of 10 dam eats -9 times out of 10 dam eats chocolate mini instead of pup chocolate mini instead of pup  CHOCOLATE MINI TREATS -Dissuades dam from ingesting pups -Dissuades dam from ingesting pups after giving birth after giving birth -Once dam drops pups, give 1 treat -Once dam drops pups, give 1 treat few times daily for few days few times daily for few days -9 times out of 10 dam eats -9 times out of 10 dam eats chocolate mini instead of pup chocolate mini instead of pup 30

ShelteringSheltering  Several sheltering options provided by Bio-Serv  -Bio-Huts-paper huts  -Pup Tents  -Igloos  Several sheltering options provided by Bio-Serv  -Bio-Huts-paper huts  -Pup Tents  -Igloos 31

Igloo Study  Study at Mass General  -performed on over 2000 breeder cages  -igloos and nestlets in each cage  -Results: 50% of dams kept pups in nestlets, 50% in igloos. Regardless, if igloo was present in the cage- 76% increase in pup survival rate.  -Found that if dams kept pups in nestlets, positioned igloos to move airflow away from pups= decrease in physiologic stress. If used igloos, decreased stress of the dam by using igloo floors and decreasing contamination and stress of the dam.  Study at Mass General  -performed on over 2000 breeder cages  -igloos and nestlets in each cage  -Results: 50% of dams kept pups in nestlets, 50% in igloos. Regardless, if igloo was present in the cage- 76% increase in pup survival rate.  -Found that if dams kept pups in nestlets, positioned igloos to move airflow away from pups= decrease in physiologic stress. If used igloos, decreased stress of the dam by using igloo floors and decreasing contamination and stress of the dam. 32

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” WHAT IS THE PERFECT EE SOLUTION FOR RODENTS?

BIO-SERV “YOUR ONE SOURCE” THERE IS NONE!  WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY  MORE RESEARCH NEEDED  NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL  KNOW YOUR ANIMAL(S)  KEEP THE SPECIES IN MIND VERSUS HUMAN CONVENIENCES  WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY  MORE RESEARCH NEEDED  NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL  KNOW YOUR ANIMAL(S)  KEEP THE SPECIES IN MIND VERSUS HUMAN CONVENIENCES

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS/DISCUSSION ANY QUESTIONS??