How should a rat’s eye be washed? - briefly
Use sterile isotonic saline or ophthalmic solution delivered with a fine pipette, gently flushing the ocular surface while the rat is securely restrained. Pat the area dry with a lint‑free gauze and observe for signs of irritation.
How should a rat’s eye be washed? - in detail
Cleaning a rat’s ocular surface requires aseptic technique, appropriate irrigation fluid, and gentle handling to avoid tissue damage.
Begin by assembling sterile supplies: isotonic saline or balanced electrolyte solution, a 1‑ml syringe with a 27‑gauge blunt cannula, disposable gloves, a restraining device, and an anesthetic agent suitable for rodents (e.g., isoflurane inhalation). Verify that the solution is at room temperature and free of particulates.
Procedure
- Place the animal in a supine position on a padded platform; secure the limbs with soft ties to limit movement.
- Induce light anesthesia, confirming the absence of reflex blinking before proceeding.
- Apply a sterile drop of the irrigating fluid to the medial canthus to lubricate the cornea.
- Insert the blunt cannula just beyond the eyelid margin, directing the tip toward the lateral canthus.
- Deliver a steady stream of saline at a flow rate of approximately 0.5 ml/min, allowing the fluid to flush across the corneal surface and exit through the puncta.
- Observe for removal of debris, discharge, or staining agents; continue irrigation until the effluent appears clear.
- Gently retract the cannula, wipe excess fluid from the surrounding fur with sterile gauze, and apply a thin layer of ophthalmic ointment if the cornea appears dry.
After irrigation, monitor the rat until full recovery from anesthesia. Check for signs of irritation, excessive tearing, or corneal opacity. Record the volume of fluid used, duration of the procedure, and any abnormalities observed. Repeat the cleaning process only if residual material remains, ensuring a minimum interval of five minutes between attempts to prevent corneal stress.