Group Name: EE 1 Group Name: PS 1 Species: Pig, Sus scrofa domesticus Research: Heart Research. Research Protocol: Periodic surgery or non-invasive imaging, all require anaesthesia. Diet: Normal Pig Pellets. Supplemental veg. Housing:Singly in dog runs in lab. Enrichment Goal: Stimulate species-appropriate behaviors to occupy time and prevent development of undesired behaviors. Species: Pig, Sus scrofa domesticus Research: Heart Research. Research Protocol: Periodic surgery or non-invasive imaging, all require anaesthesia. Diet: Normal Pig Pellets. Supplemental veg. Housing: Singly in dog runs in lab. Problem to Solve: Several have begun bar-biting. Stop or reduce this stereotypy.
Group Name: EE 2 Group Name: PS 2 Species: Sheep, Ovis aries Research: Joint Degeneration. Research Protocol: Physical and imaging exams every 2 weeks. Anesthesia required. Diet: Commercial Pellets. Lucerne hay. Housing: Group housed in large pens in lab (~4/pen). Enrichment Goal: Prevent development of stereotypies like bar-biting and wind-sucking. Species: Pig, Sus scrofa domesticus Research: Heart Research. Research Protocol: Periodic surgery or non-invasive imaging, all require anaesthesia. Diet: Normal Pig Pellets. Supplemental veg. Housing: Singly in dog runs in lab. Problem to Solve: Develop methods to collect non-invasive images without anaesthesia.
Group Name: EE 3 Group Name: PS 3 Species: Rhesus Macaque, Macaca mulatta Research: Reproductive (Hormone Suppressants). Research Protocol: Blood (capillary tube) and urine samples twice weekly. Currently, they are each squeezed for blood sample and left in squeeze until they urinate. Diet: Normal Monkey chow, supplemental veg and fruit, occasional treats (seed, nut, insects, sweets) Housing: Housed in multigender groups (~10 per group). Enrichment Goal: Shift reliably on cue to adjacent area to urinate. Species: Rhesus Macaque, Macaca mulatta Research: Reproductive (Hormone Suppressants). Research Protocol: Blood (capillary tube) and urine samples twice weekly. Currently, they are each squeezed for blood sample and left in squeeze until they urinate. New protocol requires saliva samples to begin in a few weeks (twice weekly). Diet: Normal Monkey chow, supplemental veg and fruit, occasional treats (seed, nut, insects, sweets) Housing: Housed in multigender groups (~10 per group). Problem to Solve: Determine new method to collect blood and saliva sampling twice weekly. The next research phase requires the measurement of stress hormones (blood, urine, saliva). To control for the stress of sample collection, the PI wishes to collect the samples without using the squeeze cage or other forceful methods.
Group Name: EE 4 Group Name: PS 4 Species: Dog, Canis familiaris Research: Nutrition. Research Protocol: Daily weights. Periodic blood collection. Diet: Strictly controlled special diet. No treats of any kind. Housing: Singly Housed. Daily playtime with handlers. Special: Dogs are physically able but some have minor physical limitations due to effects of diet.. Enrichment Goal: Maintain dogs physical fitness, including those with limited function, without excessive handler involvement. Species: Dog, Canis familiaris Research: Nutrition. Research Protocol: Daily weights. Periodic blood collection. Diet: Strictly controlled special diet. No treats of any kind. Housing: Singly Housed. Daily playtime with handlers (15 minute sessions involving 2 dogs per handler). Special: Dogs are physically able but some have minor physical limitations due to effects of diet.. Problem to Solve: Many dogs stereotypically sway or rock in their cages, especially before scheduled playtime when they seem particularly excited.
Group Name: EE 5 Group Name: PS 5 Species: Dog, Canis familiaris Research: Cancer Studies. Research Protocol: Periodic Examinations. Diet: Normal Kibble with commercial treats daily. Housing: Singly Housed with daily visits to recreational room with conspecifics. Enrichment Goal: Maintain dogs physical fitness without handlers active involvement. Species: Dog, Canis familiaris Research: Drug Testing. Research Protocol: Infrequent biopsies. No daily protocol. Diet: Normal Kibble with commercial treats daily. Housing: Singly Housed with daily visits to recreational room with conspecifics. Problem to Solve:Some dogs are very excitable and jump up on their handlers whenever they are out.
Group Name: EE 6 Group Name: PS 6 Species: Cat, Felis domesticus Research: Skin Testing. Research Protocol: Daily technician handling for wound inspection, meds, etc. Diet: Normal Kibble with commercial treats daily Housing: Singly Housed in cage banks. Dog recreational room abuts the cattery. Special: Most individuals have at least one skin graft. Enrichment Goal: Reduce environmental stress. Species: Cat, Felis domesticus Research: Neurological. Research Protocol: Weekly testing. Diet: Normal Kibble with commercial treats daily. Housing: Singly Housed in cage banks. Special: All have electrode implants. Problem to Solve: Several cats frequently rub their electrodes on the front bars of the cage. (Research and health implications)
Group Name: EE 7 Group Name: PS 7 Species: Ferret, Mustela nigripes Research: Vaccine testing. Research Protocol: Blood draw twice a week. Diet: Normal Kibble and canned food daily. Supplemental Treats (worms). Housing: Singly housed in plastic tub-style cages in cage banks. Enrichment Goal: Encourage to appropriate activity to maintain physical fitness and avoid skeletal changes to rear limbs. Species: Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus Research: Bone Density. Research Protocol: Anesthesia for imaging weekly. Blood samples (restraint cage) weekly. Diet: Normal Rabbit Chow. Supplemental Treats (veg) and Chew Sticks. Housing: Housed 4-6 females per tub-style cages with bedding. Problem to Solve: Some rabbits have scratches or bite wounds from cagemates. Reduce aggression.
Group Name: EE 8 Group Name: PS 8 Species: Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus Research: Corneal Research. Research Protocol: Restraint cage for 5 minutes BID for drop application and absorption. Diet: Normal Rabbit Chow. No treats scheduled but technician often bring bits of carrot to give while rabbits are in the restraint cage. Housing: Singly Housed in cage banks. This may not be necessary for research protocol. Enrichment Goal: Reduce stress of handling and research protocol. Species: Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus Research: Antibody Production. Research Protocol: Restraint cage for ~15 minutes monthly for blood collection. Diet: Normal Rabbit Chow. No treats scheduled but technician bring bits of carrot to give to her favorites after sampling. Housing: Singly Housed in cage banks. This may not be necessary for research protocol. Problem to Solve: In the last month, several rabbits have begun plucking themselves, some quite severely.
Group Name: EE 9 Group Name: PS 9 Species: Rat, Rattus norvegicus Research: Nutrition. Research Protocol: Weighed daily. Diet: Strictly monitored amounts of water and special pelleted diet. No supplements permitted. Housing: Group Housed in cage banks. Group size ranges from 2-6. Enrichment Goal: Maintain activity level to ensure physical fitness. Species: Rat, Rattus norvegicus Research: Nutrition. Research Protocol: Weighed daily. Diet: Strictly monitored amounts of water and special pelleted diet. No supplements permitted. Housing: Group Housed in cage banks. Group size ranges from 2-6. Problem to Solve: Reduce aggression to cagemates.
Group Name: EE 10 Group Name: PS 10 Species: Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus Research: Cancer Research. Research Protocol: New Arrivals no protocol established. Diet: Normal Lab Chow. Housing: 20 female hamsters are arriving soon. Upon arrival, they are to be paired with 20 males who have been singly housed in the facility (small cages in suspended cage banks). Each pair will be given a slightly large cage in a similar cage bank. Enrichment Goal: Prepare cages (and males) to mitigate stress of new environment and cagemates. Species: Rat, Rattus norvegicus Research: Toxic Substance. Research Protocol: Injection or blood test twice weekly. Diet: Normal Lab Chow. Housing: Group Housed in cage banks. Group size ranges from 2-6. Housed in Noise Sensitive Area and must be removed from the area for testing. Problem to Solve: Develop transport protocols that reduce stress of transport and move outside of Noise Sensitive Area.
Group Name: EE 11 Group Name: PS 11 Species: Mouse, Mus musculus Research: Obesity. Research Protocol: Weekly handling for sample collection and measurements. Diet: Normal Lab Chow. Housing: Singly housed in small hanging cages in cage banks. Enrichment Goal: Occupy time WITHOUT physical exercise energy. Species: Mouse, Mus musculus Research: Diabetes. Research Protocol: Weekly blood collection. Diet: Normal Lab Chow. Housing: Singly housed in small hanging cages in cage banks. Problem to Solve: Reduce stereotypy (circular running).