Peri and Post Operative Care of Mice

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Peri and Post Operative Care of Mice
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Surgical Prep in Mice

• Mice are susceptible to infections and therefore
  aseptic technique should be followed.
• Pick your anesthesia.
• Weigh your mouse.
• Sterilize your instruments.
• Prepare the incision site.
• Wear gloves.

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Surgical Prep in Mice

• Mice have large surface area to body volume and
  high metabolic rate
• They are susceptible to dehydration, hypothermia,
  and hypoglycemia.
• They do not vomit.

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Surgical Prep in Mice

• To reduce hypothermia, can do surgery on heating
  pad or under a heat lamp.
• Also, inject mouse with warmed lactated Ringers
  which also helps with dehydration.
• Do not withhold food due to inability to vomit
  and hypoglycemic tendencies.

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Surgery in Mice

• Check depth of anesthesia.
• Toe pinch.
• Watch respiratory rate.
• Watch color in ears, paws tail and nose.
• Chest compressions or doxapram.
• Watch cardiovascular function.
• Cauterization or just holding off of cut vessels.
• Body temp.
• Fluids.
• Close incision.

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Post Op in Mice

• Do not leave until mouse is ambulatory.
• Keep on heating pad and/or wrapped up for warmth.
• Give analgesia for at least 24 hours.
• Supplement food and give more fluids as
  necessary.
• Soft bedding recommended.

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More info

• Free course on ALL Working with the Laboratory
  Mouse.
• Free CD from NIH Training in Basic
  Biomethodology for Laboratory Mice.