How do you administer drops to a rat? - briefly
Gently restrain the rat with a soft towel, tilt its head back, and apply the precise volume of liquid using a calibrated micropipette onto the target site (e.g., ocular surface or nasal cavity). Verify delivery by observing droplet distribution and record the administration time.
How do you administer drops to a rat? - in detail
Applying liquid droplets to a laboratory rat requires consistent technique to ensure accurate dosing and animal welfare. The procedure can be divided into preparation, restraint, delivery, and post‑administration monitoring.
Begin by gathering equipment: calibrated micropipette or Hamilton syringe, sterile disposable tips, appropriate diluent, absorbent pads, clean work surface, and personal protective equipment (gloves, lab coat, eye protection). Verify the concentration and volume of the solution; typical doses range from 5 µL to 10 µL per administration site. Warm the animal to a neutral temperature (≈22 °C) to prevent hypothermia during handling.
Restraint methods differ by administration route. For ocular application, hold the rat in a supine position using a soft towel or a dedicated restrainer, exposing the eye without applying pressure to the globe. For intranasal delivery, secure the animal in a supine position on a padded surface, allowing the head to be slightly elevated (10–15°) to facilitate drainage and reduce aspiration risk.
Deliver the drops as follows:
- Attach a sterile tip to the calibrated pipette; set the volume precisely.
- Position the tip just above the target tissue (cornea or nostril) without touching the surface.
- Release the fluid slowly, allowing the droplet to form and fall onto the intended area.
- For ocular dosing, apply a single droplet to the lower conjunctival sac; for intranasal dosing, dispense half the volume into each nostril.
- Observe the animal for spontaneous blinking or swallowing; intervene only if the droplet is misplaced.
After delivery, keep the rat in a quiet recovery area for at least five minutes. Monitor respiration, eye closure, and behavior for signs of distress or adverse reaction. Record the exact time, volume, and any observations in the experimental log.
Common issues and corrective actions:
- Droplet disperses before contact: increase tip‑to‑surface distance slightly, reduce delivery speed.
- Fluid enters the airway: ensure head elevation, use smaller volume, confirm proper restraint.
- Excessive tearing or discharge: apply a sterile ophthalmic lubricant after dosing, reassess anesthetic depth if used.
Maintain sterility throughout the process, dispose of used tips in biohazard containers, and calibrate the pipette weekly. Consistent adherence to these steps yields reliable dosing and minimizes variability in experimental outcomes.