Handling and restraint of animals

A proper handling and restraint technique are needed to reduce the stress and anxiety of
laboratory animal in order to ease the procedure and avoid unwanted injuries of researchers.
Handling defined as dealing with animals in a specific-specific, calm and firm way in order
not to harm the animal and to provide as much safety as possible to the experimenter. Thus,
the personnel involved should be dedicated to animals, motivated and well trained. (Hurst &
West, 2010). Meanwhile, restraint described as immunization of an animal by keeping it or
parts of it, in a comfortable but safe position by hand or physical devices. It is crucial to be
performed on conscious animals undergoing manipulations such as injection. (Fowler, 2011)
Handling and restraint of two main laboratory animals, mice and rabbit have been
demonstrated during the visit as described in the following sentences. For adult mice, it is
picked up by the tail base by compressing the base of the tail between the thumb and
forefinger and gently placing the animal onto a solid surface. Rest the animal on ones
forearm to transport it short distances. For restraint, the mouse is picked up by the tail, the
excess skin over the animal's neck is grasped between thumb and forefinger. On the other
hand, when handling rabbits, it is essential to prevent the animal from accidentally breaking
its back, a common outcome associated with inappropriate rabbit handling. Rabbits should be
removed from their cage by grasping the excess skin over the dorsal cervical region. It should
never be picked up by their ears. The rabbit's hind end must be supported as it is removed
from its cage. They are very susceptible to lumbar spinal luxation, resulting in paralysis. It is
necessary to support the animal's hindquarter at all times.

J Hurst & R West. (2010). Taming anxiety in laboratory mice. Nature Methods 7 (10), 825-
842.

Fowler, M. (2011). Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals (1), 517-525.
Somerset: Wiley.