How should I give a rat saline inhalations? - briefly
Place the rat in a sealed inhalation chamber, nebulize sterile 0.9 % saline at 0.5 L min⁻¹ for 5–10 minutes, and monitor respiration throughout. Anesthetize the animal if needed and disinfect the equipment between sessions to avoid contamination.
How should I give a rat saline inhalations? - in detail
To deliver a saline aerosol to a laboratory rat, follow these precise steps.
Equipment and materials
- Nebulizer capable of generating particles 1–5 µm in diameter.
- Sterile isotonic saline (0.9 % NaCl), filtered through a 0.22 µm membrane.
- Plexiglass or acrylic inhalation chamber sized for a single animal (approximately 10 × 10 × 10 cm).
- Anesthetic delivery system (isoflurane vaporizer with induction mask) if sedation is required.
- Flow meter to set air‑flow rate (typically 0.5–1 L min⁻¹).
- Personal protective equipment (gloves, lab coat, eye protection).
Preparation
- Verify nebulizer function with water before use.
- Fill the nebulizer reservoir with 2–3 mL sterile saline; avoid bubbles.
- Set the airflow to the desired rate; confirm particle size with a cascade impactor if available.
- Clean the inhalation chamber with 70 % ethanol and allow it to dry completely.
Animal handling
- Weigh the rat and record baseline health parameters.
- If sedation is indicated, induce with isoflurane (3–4 % for induction, 1–2 % for maintenance) using a calibrated mask.
- Place the rat gently into the chamber, ensuring free movement but preventing escape.
Administration
- Start the nebulizer; allow a 30‑second warm‑up to achieve stable aerosol output.
- Maintain the aerosol for 5–10 minutes, depending on experimental design and desired dose.
- Monitor respiration rate and behavior continuously; abort the session if distress occurs.
Post‑procedure
- Turn off the nebulizer and airflow; remove the animal promptly.
- Allow the rat to recover in a warmed cage; monitor until normal activity resumes.
- Record the total exposure time, aerosol concentration, and any adverse observations.
- Dispose of used saline and disinfect the chamber according to institutional biosafety protocols.
Safety and quality control
- Perform routine calibration of the nebulizer and flow meter.
- Keep a log of equipment maintenance and aerosol particle size verification.
- Ensure all personnel are trained in handling rodents and aerosol-generating devices.
Following this protocol yields reproducible saline inhalation exposure while minimizing stress and ensuring animal welfare.