How to keep laboratory mice? - briefly
Proper care of laboratory mice requires a controlled environment, regular health monitoring, and appropriate enrichment. Maintain temperature at 20‑26 °C, humidity at 30‑70 %, provide sterilized bedding, a nutritionally balanced diet, and clean water ad libitum.
How to keep laboratory mice? - in detail
Keeping laboratory mice requires strict control of environment, nutrition, health monitoring, and handling procedures.
The housing unit must provide a stable temperature of 20–26 °C, relative humidity of 30–70 % and a 12‑hour light/dark cycle. Ventilation should deliver at least 10 air changes per hour without drafts. Bedding material, such as corn cob or paper, should be changed weekly to maintain dryness and reduce odor.
Nutrition demands a nutritionally complete, sterile rodent chow supplied ad libitum, complemented by fresh water from an autoclavable bottle system. Water bottles should be inspected daily for leakage and refilled with autoclaved water.
Health management includes routine health surveillance, quarantine of new arrivals for a minimum of two weeks, and regular veterinary examinations. Any signs of disease—weight loss, ruffled fur, abnormal behavior—must trigger immediate isolation and diagnostic testing.
Handling protocols minimize stress and injury. Use clean, powder‑free gloves, and restrain mice with a gentle scruff technique. Transfer between cages should occur in a biosafety cabinet to prevent contamination.
Key practices can be summarized in a checklist:
- Verify environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, light cycle) daily.
- Replace bedding and clean cages at least once per week.
- Provide sterilized food and water continuously; inspect water bottles each morning.
- Implement quarantine for all incoming animals; monitor health indicators weekly.
- Conduct veterinary checks quarterly or after any health incident.
- Employ low‑stress handling methods; sanitize equipment between uses.
Documentation of all procedures, including cage cleaning logs, health reports, and environmental readings, ensures traceability and compliance with institutional animal care guidelines. Regular review of protocols aligns practice with evolving standards and scientific requirements.