Dog and Cat in
Research
Timo Nevalainen
University of Eastern Finland
Dog Breeds
Beagle



not too inbred
no trimming
Size
(semichondrodystrophic)
Alsatian and Labrador


larger dog
hip dysplasia
Dog reproduction
Estrus length
Ovulation type
Breeding
7-13 days
Spontaneous
10-16 days from
start of estrus
Gestation
Litter size
Litters / year
Weaning
60-66 days
4-12
2
7-8 weeks
Reproduction
Estrus every 6-8
months
Estrus lasts 21-22
days
Ovulation about
10th day
Pseudopregnancy
common
Space req’s (new Appendix A)
Weight of dog
Minimum floor
For each
Minimum height
kg
area
additional dog
m
For one or two
add a minimum
dogs
of
m²
m²
≤ 20
4
2
2
> 20
8
4
2
Socialization
Programs
Objective - tractable
adults


Basic commands
Novel Situations
Puppies through 12
weeks
Administrations
SC
Peripheral veins
Jugular vein
Cephalic
vein
Lateral saphenous
vein
Administrations and blood samples
IV: superficial veins of
front and rear legs
IM: Thigh muscle
Blood samples


superficial veins in legs
jugular vein
Research Use
Behavior
Pulmonary
Pharmacology
Wound healing
Dental
Brain
Transplantation
Aging
Neurology
Trauma
Nutrition
Circulatory
Skeletal
Eye
Anesthesia
Radiology
Shock
Heart
GI surgery
Cancer
Diabetes
Gay: Health Benefits of Animal Research, FBR
Cardiopulmonary:
Distinguishing
Features
Intracoronary anastomoses
Left CA blood supply to conduction
system
Incomplete mediastinum
Atherosclerosis - limited lesions
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)
Pharmacologic
Features
Thiobarbiturates arrhythmogenic
Ketamine convulsive
Xylazine hypotensive
Morphine emetic
Breed
Sensitivities
Sight hounds – thiobarbiturates
e.g., Greyhounds, Borzoi, Salukis
Collies - ivermectin
Diseases of Concern
Rabies
Canine distemper
Infectious hepatitis virus
Infectious tracheobronchitis


Parainfluenza
Bordetella
Vaccination Recommendations
Yearly - all dogs
Breeding females
during anestrus
Pup vaccination
6-16 weeks
Endotracheal
Intubation
To intubate successfully,
the laryngeal structures
must be clearly seen.
Endotracheal
Intubation
Use the arytenoid
cartilages, vocal folds and
laryngeal inlet as your
landmarks.
Endotracheal
Intubation
Never insert a tube
blindly.

It will end up in the
esophagus,
not the trachea.
Endotracheal Intubation
To intubate
properly,

There is no
substitute for seeing
the tube as it enters
the larynx.
Inflation of the Balloon
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.

Anesthesia
Recovery
Prepare to extubate Step 1: Untie the tube.
Anesthesia
Recovery
Prepare to extubate Step 2: Deflate the tube.
Anesthesia
Recovery
Prepare to extubate Step 3: Wait for dog’s
reflexes.
Extubate Step 4: Extubate before dog
chews the tube.
Euthanasia
Injectable agents - anesthetics
Inhalants - CO2, CO
Health monitoring
FELASA guidelines
Vaccination:




distemper
infectious hepatitis
parvo
rabies ?
Parasites
Toxocara canis
(intrauterine
infection)
Working with the Laboratory Dog
- Training for the Enhancement
of Animal Welfare in Research
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/TrainingVideos.htm#dog
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
Cat: Reproduction Data
Estrus cycle duration
Estrus duration
Type of ovulation
Mating methods
Gestation
Litter size
Litters / year
Weaning age
14 days
3-6 days
induced
1M /1-15F
64-66 days
3-6
2
4-5 weeks
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.
Cats like comfort.
Soft beds
 Perches
 Exercise areas
 Toys

Housing
Enrichment
Cat Handling
Cautions
Bite wounds
Scratches
Temperament
Work safely
Use proper restraint
Avoid stressing the cat
Cat: Common Procedures
Handling may be difficult


chemical sedation
immobilization devices
Helpful Hints on
Restraint
Get the cat to cooperate:
Reassure
 Stroke and pet
 Verbal praise
 Quiet manner
 Respectful attitude

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.
Restraint
“Pancake Kitty”
e.g. for cephalic vein access
Access to jugular vein
Restraint
Lateral
recumbency
Restraint
One-handed hold
Restraint
Scruff Reflex


Calming effect.
May help to
regain control in a
challenging
situation.
Restraint
The “Kitty Burrito”

Flatten cat on a
towel.

Wrap securely.

Enclose front legs.

Allows rear access.
Elizabethan Collars
Can protect against bites.
 Likely to stress a cat….use only if necessary.
 Eliz. collar and towel combination...

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
Cat: Research Use
Aging
Behavior
Circulatory
Hemopoietic
Musculoskeletal
Respiratory
Auditory
Digestive
Cancer
Endocrine
Genetics
Immune
Infectious diseases CNS
Eye
Skin
Teratology
Toxicology
Gay: Health Benefits of Animal Research.FBR
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.
Other Hazards
Unique to Cats
Toxoplasmosis
Fetuses (pregnant women)
 Wear gloves, wash hands

Cat Scratch Fever
Bartonella henselae
 Control fleas – transmission
among cats
 Transmitted to humans via
bites, scratches, licking

Cat: Health surveillance
FELASA health monitoring guidelines
Source of cats
Vaccination


panleukopenia
rabies
Toxoplasmosis
Deworming
The Feline Diet
Compared to dogs,
cats have a higher
requirement for –
Protein
 Fat
 Taurine
 Arachidonic acid
 Vitamin A
 Niacin
 Pyridoxin

Cats are strict carnivores, unlike dogs.
Toxicity
Morphine causes dose dependent CNS stimulation
and mania.
Cats metabolize aspirin and other drugs poorly.
Acetominophen is toxic.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis