How do you rinse a rat's nose? - briefly
Use a small syringe with sterile isotonic saline, insert the tip just inside each nostril, and slowly inject 0.5–1 ml to flush out debris while the animal exhales. Repeat on the opposite side if necessary, keeping the rat calm and supported.
How do you rinse a rat's nose? - in detail
Rinsing a rodent’s nasal passages requires aseptic technique, appropriate equipment, and careful handling to avoid tissue damage.
First, prepare a sterile saline solution (0.9 % NaCl) warmed to 37 °C. Use a 1 ml syringe fitted with a 24‑gauge flexible catheter or a blunt‑ended irrigation needle. Verify that all instruments are autoclaved or disinfected before use.
Second, induce brief anesthesia to minimize distress and reflexes. An intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (50 mg/kg) combined with xylazine (10 mg/kg) provides sufficient sedation for a typical adult rat. Confirm lack of response to toe pinch before proceeding.
Third, position the animal in dorsal recumbency on a padded surface. Gently extend the head and secure the snout with a soft loop of gauze to prevent movement. Avoid excessive force that could fracture the nasal cartilage.
Fourth, insert the catheter just inside the nostril opening, parallel to the nasal floor. Deliver 0.2–0.3 ml of the warmed saline in a slow, steady stream. Allow the fluid to flow through the nasal cavity and exit the opposite nostril or the mouth. Repeat the process on the contralateral side, using the same volume.
Fifth, aspirate residual fluid with a low‑vacuum suction tip, taking care not to contact the mucosa. Observe for clear effluent; cloudy or bloody discharge indicates irritation or injury and warrants immediate veterinary assessment.
Sixth, monitor the animal during recovery. Maintain a warm environment and observe respiration for at least 15 minutes. Provide analgesia (e.g., buprenorphine 0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously) if signs of discomfort appear.
Finally, document the procedure, including saline temperature, volume administered, anesthesia dosage, and any abnormalities observed. Proper record‑keeping supports reproducibility and animal welfare compliance.