Dog and Cat in Research

1. Dog and Cat in Research Timo Nevalainen University of Eastern Finland

2. Dog Breeds • Beagle • not too inbred • no trimming • Size • (semichondrodystrophic) • Alsatian and Labrador • larger dog • hip dysplasia

4. Dog reproduction • Estrus length 7-13 days • Ovulation type Spontaneous • Breeding 10-16 days from start of estrus • Gestation 60-66 days • Litter size 4-12 • Litters / year 2 • Weaning 7-8 weeks

5. Reproduction • Estrus every 6-8 months • Estrus lasts 21-22 days • Ovulation about 10th day • Pseudopregnancy common

6. Space req’s (new Appendix A)

7. Socialization Programs • Objective - tractable adults • Basic commands • Novel Situations • Puppies through 12 weeks

8. Administrations • SC

9. Peripheral veins • Lateral saphenous vein Jugular vein Cephalic vein

10. Administrations and blood samples • IV: superficial veins of front and rear legs • IM: Thigh muscle • Blood samples • superficial veins in legs • jugular vein

11. Research Use • Behavior Aging Anesthesia • Pulmonary Neurology Radiology • Pharmacology Trauma Shock • Wound healing Nutrition Heart • Dental Circulatory GI surgery • Brain Skeletal Cancer • Transplantation Eye Diabetes Gay: Health Benefits of Animal Research, FBR

12. Cardiopulmonary:Distinguishing Features • Intracoronary anastomoses • Left CA blood supply to conduction system • Incomplete mediastinum • Atherosclerosis - limited lesions

13. Gastrointestinal Tract • Simple stomach and short intestine • Ileocecal valve and caecum • 12 hour gut transit time • Fast 12 hours pre-surgery (to avoid vomiting intra-/pre-anesthesia)

14. Pharmacologic Features • Thiobarbiturates arrhythmogenic • Ketamine convulsive • Xylazine hypotensive • Morphine emetic

15. Breed Sensitivities • Sight hounds – thiobarbiturates e.g., Greyhounds, Borzoi, Salukis • Collies - ivermectin

16. Diseases of Concern • Rabies • Canine distemper • Infectious hepatitis virus • Infectious tracheobronchitis • Parainfluenza • Bordetella

17. Vaccination Recommendations • Yearly - all dogs • Breeding females during anestrus • Pup vaccination 6-16 weeks

18. Endotracheal Intubation • To intubate successfully, the laryngeal structures must be clearly seen.

19. Endotracheal Intubation • Use the arytenoid cartilages, vocal folds and laryngeal inlet as your landmarks.

20. Endotracheal Intubation • Never insert a tube blindly. • It will end up in the esophagus, not the trachea.

21. Endotracheal Intubation • To intubate properly, • There is no substitute for seeing the tube as it enters the larynx.

22. Inflation of the Balloon

23. Tying the Tube • Tie the tube in place - • To either jaw. • Behind the occiput. • Securing the tube - • Preserves the airway. • Protects the trachea from trauma if the tube / balloon were dislodged.

24. Anesthesia Recovery • Prepare to extubate - • Step 1: Untie the tube.

25. Anesthesia Recovery Prepare to extubate - Step 2: Deflate the tube.

26. Anesthesia Recovery Prepare to extubate - Step 3: Wait for dog’s reflexes. Extubate - Step 4: Extubate before dog chews the tube.

27. Euthanasia • Injectable agents - anesthetics • Inhalants - CO2, CO

28. Health monitoring • FELASA guidelines • Vaccination: • distemper • infectious hepatitis • parvo • rabies ?

29. Parasites • Toxocara canis (intrauterine infection)

31. Working with the Laboratory Dog - Training for the Enhancement of Animal Welfare in Research • http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/TrainingVideos.htm#dog

32. Cat: SPF vs. Conventional • prone to respiratory infections • Cats suffering from respiratory infections are poor subjects for research • There are SPF (specific pathogen free) breeders of cats

33. Cat: Reproduction Data • Estrus cycle duration 14 days • Estrus duration 3-6 days • Type of ovulation induced • Mating methods 1M /1-15F • Gestation 64-66 days • Litter size 3-6 • Litters / year 2 • Weaning age 4-5 weeks

34. Socialization to Humans • Socialize kittens between 4 and 14 weeks of age. • If socialization to humans is neglected, they will develop a natural fear of humans. • Cats not properly socialized can be dangerous!! • It only takes a few minutes a day. Only socialized cats make good research subjects.

35. Cats like comfort. • Soft beds • Perches • Exercise areas • Toys

36. Housing

37. Enrichment

38. Cat Handling • Cautions • Bite wounds • Scratches • Temperament • Work safely • Use proper restraint • Avoid stressing the cat

39. Cat: Common Procedures • Handling may be difficult • chemical sedation • immobilization devices

40. Helpful Hints on Restraint • Get the cat to cooperate: • Reassure • Stroke and pet • Verbal praise • Quiet manner • Respectful attitude

41. Helpful Hints on Restraint • Never over-restrain a cat! • Too much force makes the cat struggle. • If you engage in a battle of wills, you will lose. • If a cat gets over excited, stop and return the cat to his cage. Let him relax a while. • Use the minimum restraint necessary to do the procedure. • Persuade (not force) the cat to cooperate.

42. Restraint “Pancake Kitty” e.g. for cephalic vein access Access to jugular vein

43. Restraint • Lateral recumbency

44. Restraint • One-handed hold

45. Restraint • Scruff Reflex • Calming effect. • May help to regain control in a challenging situation.

46. Restraint • The “Kitty Burrito” • Flatten cat on a towel. • Wrap securely. • Enclose front legs. • Allows rear access.

47. Elizabethan Collars • Can protect against bites. • Likely to stress a cat….use only if necessary. • Eliz. collar and towel combination...

48. Cat: Common Procedures • Intravenous injection requires good handling • veins accessible (antebrachial and femoral) are small and fragile, use butterfly (23G) needles • Blood samples from ear or jugular vein

49. Cat: Research Use • Aging Auditory Digestive • Behavior Cancer Endocrine • Circulatory Genetics Immune • Hemopoietic Infectious diseases CNS • Musculoskeletal Eye Skin • Respiratory Teratology Toxicology Gay: Health Benefits of Animal Research.FBR

50. Cat Bites – Dangerous Infection • In a full-force bite, canine teeth insert dangerous pathogens into the tissues. • Because these wounds often develop serious infections, medical attention should be sought immediately after a cat bite.