Laboratory Animal Care BOSTON UNIVERISTY Animal Health Monitoring

Female Male

Estrus Detection in Mice Estrus Non-Estrus swollen, moist closed vaginal and open appearance opening of Vaginal opening.

Normal Females with Copulatory Plugs Copulatory plugs is made of several different components---sperm, ejaculate fluids, and mucus are primary substances that harden within the cervix.( Hard Waxy)

Healthy Mouse

Normal Rat

Normal Mouse Normal

Sick Mouse Hunched posture

Signs of Pain and Distress in Rodents Decreased activity Unkempt fur (not grooming) Pilo – erection Hunched posture Rapid shallow Breathing “ Red tears “ albino rats” Squinting of eyes Vocalization Feed and/or water refusal Weight loss

Alopecia Hair loss Due to excessive grooming Metabolic dysfunctions External parasites and Nutritional disorders

Facial Barbering Agouti (brown mouse) Dominant male chews off the hair from head, neck and back of the less dominant cage mate

Barbering vs Shaved Barbered Shaved

Ulcerative Dermatitis Syndrome Usually in black mice of a C57BL/6 background. Mice will develop a dermatitis with alopecia and skin ulcers. Mice will scratch at the effected region until ulcers form. The ulcerated areas often scar, causing restriction of limb movement. Any skin lesions should be brought to the attention of vet services.

Mild Dermatitis

Mild Dermatitis Early Detection is Important!

Dermatitis

More Severe Dematitis….

Too Much Caladryl !

Fight wounds

Fight Wounds Fighting is usually seen in males. The wounds are often seen on the tail, backs and genital area.

It is important to note fight wounds EARLY, Before they turn into….

Urine Scalding

Dystocia = difficult birth This is when a female has difficulty giving birth. Signs might include vaginal discharge, dehydration, and lethargy. Normal mice give birth only at night – if they are in labor during day, something is wrong. There may also be dead pups in the cage. Normal birth times = 1 – 3.5 hours for a litter of 11 pups

Vaginal Prolapse

Vaginal prolapse and ulcerative dermatitis

Rectal prolapse

Penile Prolapsed Alopecia!

Do you think this mass is too big? YES! It impedes movement

Mass in scrotal area

Mass with open lesion

Lesions on bottom surfaces of paws due to Burns

Would you say this mouse is pregnant? What if I told you that this mouse is a….

A MALE!!

Head Tilt

Irritated eye with discharge

Did you also note his irritated eye?

Severe Malocclusion

Trimming Malocclusion

Is there anything wrong with this mouse?

Hydrocephalus vs Normal

Ringtail (Tail Constriction)

Ringtail Possible cause Low Humidity

Is there a difference here?

Healthy vs. Sick Look at: 1.Eyes 2.Ears 3.Tail

Porphyrin in Rats (red tears) Porphyrin is naturally secreted, and normally groomed away and not seen in most instances.

Protruding eye = Exophthalmic

Rabbit Swollen foot

Step 1 Post Examine Cage sticker on Cage

Step 2 Fill out Request for Exam Form

Step 3 Vet Services will post Examine Cards on Cage after Assessment.

Animals Recovering from Surgery Blue cards NO Abbreviations for Procedures!!!

Your help in caring for all the animals at LASC is greatly appreciated!