CAAT Newsletter: Vol. 13, No. 1, Fall 1995

Refinement: Training Lab Staff to Work with Rats

By Sally O. Walshaw, M.A., V.M.D.

In my position as Training Coordinator for individuals who use animals in research and teaching, I frequently must train people who will be working with laboratory rats for the first time. Almost every single person voices two concerns: (1) "I do not want to hurt the animal" and (2), I am afraid that the rat will bite me." Human distress is a factor here.

Rats are gentle, intelligent animals who enjoy interacting with people and getting out of their cages for a change of scenery. Rats are very forgiving and will hold no ill will, even if injected or anesthetized, provided that they are handled gently so as to minimize distress.

Training Goals:

• To help the person overcome fear of the rat.
• To promote respect for the rat as "lifesaver" in its role in biomedical research.
• To minimize pain and distress for the rat and the person.

Training Method:

1. Discuss regulations, emergency phone numbers.
2. Explain diseases communicable from rats to people and how to minimize (hand-washing, etc.)
3. Describe normal physical findings and signs of illness/disease in rats.
4. Have trainee practice physical exam by looking at rats in a cage and stating observations (behavior, rate and pattern of breathing, appearance of hair, feces etc.)
5. Remove a rat from its cage and immediately place the rat in a hand towel, with the rat's head peeking out of a fold of the towel. (Towels are soft and warm and rats enjoy them as much as rabbits do. Even the most nervous rat will quickly settle down into a towel.)
6. Talk to the rat and pet its head. Ask the trainee to notice how the rat will turn its ears toward the sound of the person's voice.
7. Ask the trainee to pick up a rat and wrap it in a towel. Encourage the trainee to talk to the rat and pet its head.

At this point, the trainee will be more likely to view the rat as a small attractive animal with no inherent tendency to bite or misbehave. I then move on to teach specific clinical procedures (injections, gavage, anesthesia, blood collection etc.)

Rats enjoy treats, such as Cheerios, and respond very well to gentle treatment. Every year, I teach hundreds of students to work with rats. Using this method I have never had a student bitten by a rat. Many of my students decide to adopt rats as pets.

Focus on Refinement

How do you determine that an animal is in pain?

An animal in acute pain will try to avoid the painful stimulus and often will vocalize. If restrained, the animal will struggle and may injure the handler. An animal in chronic pain will exhibit changes in appetite, behavior, and sleep patterns. A rodent will show a ruffled hair coat and little interest in its environment.

How do you determine that an animal is in distress (non-pain induced)?

I observe the animal for any deviation from its normal behavior. A rat in distress may wiggle or vocalize or try to hide under its bedding. The breathing rate will be elevated.

Dr. Walshaw is Training Coordinator and Associate Professor, University Laboratory Animal Resources, Michigan State University.