HANDLING OF LABORATORY ANIMALS - MOUSE,RAT,HAMSTER,GUINEA PIG, AND RABBIT

Mouse

• Wear gloves to prevent allergies. 
• Catch and lift mice by the tail. 
• Grasp the tail with the thumb and forefinger or by the used of smooth-tipped forceps. 
• Place a second hand under their feet (for pregnant mice). 
• Hold mouse by the tail and placed on a table or other surface and grasp the loose skin over neck and shoulders with thumb and fingers for a more control grasp.
• Hold the tail or the tail and rear leg by the third and little fingers of the same hand or with the other hand to improve restraining.
• Put back mice in cage by lowering it into the cage and release upon contact with bedding.
• For mice less than two weeks of age, grasp by the loose skin over the neck and shoulder with thumb and forefinger or smooth tipped forceps.
• Avoid handling neonatal mice.

Rat

• Wear latex gloves to prevent the development of allergies due to direct contact with animal allergens. 
• Place the hand into the cage to allow exploration by the animal prior to touching. 
• Initial gentle stroking of the animal followed by gradual grasping the animal will prevent startling the animal and initiating an aggressive response. 
• Avoid approaching the animal from the front.
• Grasp the whole body with the pal over the back, with forefinger behind the head and the thumb and second finger under opposite axilla. 
• Holding with one hand is usually adequate for control, but the tail, rear legs or lower part of body may be held by the other hand for close control, treatment or examination 
• Use both hands for rats weighing over 350g. 
• Young rats may be handled like mice when body size does not permit ease of handling within the hand. 
• Avoid lifting by the tail as they may strip the skin from the tail. However, the "base" of the tail may be grasped with the thumb and forefinger.

Hamster

Method I

• Form a cup with your hands and place it over the hamster.
• Gently press your palms against the animal as you pick it up.

Method II

• Grasp the loose fold of skin behind the neck with your thumb and index finger. Cup your other hand under the animal’s rump & grasp the hind legs between your thumb and index finger.
• Carry the hamster in the same position in which you picked him up.
• For injecting the animal in the mid section, merely stretch it out.

Caution: Always handle hamster over a bench or table because they are liable to jump from your grasp and injure themselves.

Guinea pig

• Wear latex gloves to prevent the development of allergies. 
• One hand is gently placed dorsally over the thorax or ventrally under the thorax and the other hand should be used to support the animals hindquarters. 
• Do not to apply to much pressure over the thorax to avoid damaging the viscera or compressing the lungs thereby compromising respiration. 
• After grasping the Guinea pig secure it by wrapping in a towel or holding against your body will lessen the frequency of struggle. 
• Do not attempt restraint by solely grasping the skin. The lack of loose skin in Guinea pigs will result in hair depilation if this technique is utilized. 

Rabbit

• Wear latex gloves
• Held the rabbit in a way that directs their hind feet away from the handler's body.
• Grasp the loose skin over the neck and shoulder with the head directed away from the holder is the best method of initial restraint. 
• Support the lower part of the body by the the other hand to prevent serious injury to the rabbit's
• Never restrained or lifted by the ears.
• Immediately place the rabbit on a solid surface if it begin to struggle violently.
• Complete restraint should be accomplished before attempting any procedures.