How do you treat a mouse with a knee injury? - briefly
Apply a gentle splint or bandage to stabilize the joint, administer buprenorphine for analgesia, and monitor for swelling or infection, treating any inflammation or bacterial contamination with appropriate anti‑inflammatory drugs and antibiotics.
How do you treat a mouse with a knee injury? - in detail
Treating a laboratory mouse with a knee lesion requires systematic assessment, analgesia, immobilization, possible surgery, and postoperative monitoring.
First, evaluate the injury. Observe gait, swelling, and palpate the joint to distinguish contusion, ligament rupture, or fracture. Record baseline weight and temperature for later comparison.
Provide analgesia before any manipulation. Administer a short‑acting opioid such as buprenorphine (0.05–0.1 mg/kg subcutaneously) every 8–12 hours. Combine with a non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drug (e.g., meloxicam 1–2 mg/kg subcutaneously) if inflammation is evident.
Induce anesthesia using isoflurane (2–3 % in oxygen) delivered via a calibrated vaporizer. Maintain body temperature with a heating pad and monitor respiration throughout the procedure.
If the lesion is a simple soft‑tissue contusion, keep the limb immobilized with a lightweight splint: cut a small piece of flexible polymer, wrap it around the joint, and secure with medical tape, ensuring no restriction of blood flow. Apply a sterile gauze pad to prevent pressure sores.
For ligamentous tears or intra‑articular fractures, perform surgical repair under a sterile field. Steps include:
- Make a longitudinal skin incision over the knee, using a #11 scalpel.
- Dissect through subcutaneous tissue with fine forceps and micro‑scissors.
- Expose the joint capsule, taking care to preserve surrounding musculature.
- Reduce displaced fragments or torn ligaments using micro‑forceps.
- Secure structures with 6‑0 or 7‑0 absorbable sutures (e.g., Vicryl) placed in a simple interrupted pattern.
- Irrigate the site with sterile saline, close the capsule with a single suture, then close skin with a running 6‑0 nylon stitch.
- Apply a sterile, low‑profile plaster cast or a custom‑made silicone splint to maintain alignment.
Post‑operative care involves:
- Continuing analgesics for at least 72 hours, adjusting dosage based on pain scores.
- Providing soft bedding and easy access to food and water to limit limb loading.
- Monitoring wound for signs of infection: erythema, discharge, or swelling.
- Assessing gait daily; record any improvement or deterioration.
- Removing immobilization devices after 7–10 days, followed by a brief rehabilitation period with voluntary wheel exercise to restore joint flexibility.
Document all interventions, dosages, and observations in the animal’s record. Follow institutional animal care guidelines and obtain necessary ethical approvals before initiating treatment.