THE LABORATORY MOUSE - HANDLING AND RESTRAINT - MODULE 1

Oct 13, 2026

University Animal Care Committee laboratory animal biomethodology workshop module covering laboratory mouse husbandry basics with emphasis on handling and restraint. Includes general biology and physiological data (activity pattern, vision/hearing/smell, temperature, heart and respiratory rates, growth and reproductive parameters), then practical guidance for manual restraint and restraint devices. Also provides a detailed identification section describing multiple labeling methods and associated procedural precautions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time7 min

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University Animal Care Committee

Laboratory Animal Biomethodology Workshop

Module 1: The Laboratory Mouse

General Biology and Physiological Data

Body Scoring System

Handling and Restraint

Identification

University Animal Care Committee LABORATORY ANIMAL BIOMETHODOLOGY WORKSHOP MODULE 1 THE LABORATORY MOUSE HANDLING AND RESTRAINT 􀂃 General Biology and Physiological Data 􀂃 Handling and Restraint 􀂃 Identification 􀂃 Sexing 􀂃 Sampling for Genotyping 􀂃 Blood Collection: intra-cardiac puncture 􀂃 Euthanasia 􀂃 Necropsy Explanation with Pictures The UACC would like to acknowledge the invaluable help of the Comparative Medicine Animal Resources Centre technicians in preparing this handout. Revised September 2009 1 THE LABORATORY M+OUSE The common laboratory mouse Mus domesticus domesticus, the most commonly used animal in biomedical research, is an ideal experimental animal for several reasons: abundance of literature published regarding them, ease of handling, high fertility rate, short gestation period, low maintenance and disease model for various human disorders and diseases. GENERAL BIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA: 􀂂 Most active at night (nocturnal) 􀂂 Curious and investigative behaviour 􀂂 Poor vision, acute sense of hearing and smell 􀂂 Social animals, adult males may require separation if aggressive 􀂂 Average body temperature: 37°C 􀂂 Respiratory rate: 95-165 breaths/minute 􀂂 Heart rate: 325-800 beats/minute 􀂂 Daily water consumption: 5 ml 􀂂 Daily food consumption: 5 g 􀂂 Oestrous cycle length: 4-5 days 􀂂 Duration of oestrus: 12 hours 􀂂 Average litter size: 6-12 􀂂 Gestation period: 19-21days 􀂂 Average birth weight: 0.5-1.5 g 􀂂 Weaning age: 21-28 days 􀂂 Sexual maturity: 6-7 weeks in males; 7-8 weeks in females 􀂂 Reproductive span: 7-9 months 􀂂 Male adult weight: 25-40 g 􀂂 Female adult weight: 20-40 g 􀂂 Life span: 1.5-3.0 years Revised September 2009 2 BODY SCORING SYSTEM Score 1: Muscle wasting is advanced, fat deposits are gone and bones are very prominent. Euthanasia is mandatory. Score 2: The mouse is becoming thin and bones are prominent. This category may be further divided subjectively as +2, 2, -2. Score 3: The mouse is in optimal condition. Bones are palpable but not prominent. Score 4: The mouse is well-fleshed, and bones are barely felt. Score 5: The mouse is obese, and bones cannot be felt at all. Revised September 2009 3 HANDLING AND RESTRAINT Manual restraint: 􀂂 Before opening the cage observe the animals within. Nervous or young mice can jump out very quickly and escape. 􀂂 For quick transfers from cage to cage, mice can be gently held by the base of the tail with your hand. Alternatively, a pair of long forceps can be used to grasp the base of the tail. 􀂂 Place the mouse on the wire-bar lid of the cage while holding the base of the tail with your dominant hand. By applying gentle tension to the tail, the mouse will grasp the wire-bar lid. 􀂂 Slide the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand over the back of the mouse and quickly grasp the loose skin at the back of the neck as close to the ears as possible. 􀂂 The tail can then be tucked under the ring or little finger. Restraint devices: Several restraint devices are available in various sizes and materials (e.g. , Plexiglas, plastic) and can be used when performing techniques such injections or blood collection. The restrainer should be small enough so that the animal cannot turn around yet allow the animal to rest comfortably and breathe normally. Observe animals to ensure that they do not overheat and never leave an animal in a restrainer unattended. Revised September 2009 4 IDENTIFICATION Mice can be identified by the following methods: 1. Cage cards 2. Temporary markings 3. Ear punching/notching 4. Ear tags 5. Tail tattoo 6. Micro-tattooing 7. Electronic identification with microchips 8. Toe amputation 1. Cage Cards 􀂂 Cage cards may be used to identify individually-housed mice or a single breeding pair. They may also be used to identify groups of mice on protocols where individual identification is not necessary. 􀂂 All

FAQs

What are the key physiological parameters provided for laboratory mice?

The module lists average body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, daily water and food consumption, estrous cycle length and duration, gestation period, weaning age, and adult weights, along with lifespan and reproductive span.

How does the manual restraint method transfer a mouse safely?

It advises observing the cage before opening, using gentle tail holding for quick transfers, placing the mouse on the cage lid by applying gentle tension so the mouse grasps the wire-bar, then securing the loose skin at the back of the neck and tucking the tail under the appropriate finger.

What identification methods does the document describe?

It describes cage cards, temporary markings, ear punching/notching, ear tags, tail tattooing, micro-tattooing, electronic identification with microchips, and toe amputation, with specific procedural cautions for several methods.

Oct 13, 2026

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