This combination manual and DVD provides much-needed training on the proper handling of rats used in biomedical research. The DVD includes narrated video clips that demonstrate and describe each procedural technique. The manual contains handouts with color illustrations and descriptive text for each technique, including the purpose and application of the procedure, recommended skills, and necessary supplies. It can be used as a training resource and refresher for lab animal veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care staff, trainers, and research investigators and staff who work with rats.

Section I: DVD and Voice-Over: Disease Management
Rat Handling/Transfer
Rat Handling/Restraint
One-Handed Injection Technique
Intraperitoneal (IP) Injection: One-Person
Intraperitoneal (IP) Injection: Two-person
Intraperitoneal (IP) Injection: One-Person Towel Method
Subcutaneous (SQ) Injection: One-Person Towel Method
Pedal Vein Blood Draw
Saphenous Vein Blood Draw
Oral Gavage
Jugular Bleed (Two-Person)
Tail Artery Blood Draw
Tail Vein Injection
Ear Notching
Ear Tagging

Section II: Rat Procedural Technique Handouts
Intraperitoneal (IP) Injection
Subcutaneous (SQ) Injection: Towel Method
Jugular Bleed
Oral Gavage
Pedal Vein Blood Draw
Saphenous Vein Blood Draw
Tail Artery Blood Draw
Tail Vein Injection
Ear Notch/Punch & Ear Tags
The Rat (Rattus norvegicus): The Research Rat
Research Animal Resources Center¿Training Division: Normative Data for the Laboratory Rat
Appendix: Blood Volume

The texts, Laboratory Rat and Laboratory Mouse Procedural Techniques Manual and DVD are short, easily read/watched manuals that review the very basic handling for the animal care technician through the clear use of discussion and accompanying photographs, enhanced with a clear, understandable DVD demonstrating each procedure discussed. Not only is the safety of the laboratory specimen of concern, but even more importantly, the safety of the human laboratory technicians and researchers. The reader is assumed to have fundamental laboratory rodent training in place. This is not meant as a primary training tool but to review and refresh existing understanding. Each of the texts is similar in organization and content which conveniently aids in navigation of topics.
¿ALN Magazine, 2012

"While this handbook is not intended to present new information, it is a valuable desktop training resource for those who either want quick access to a biomethodology resource and those with responsibility for training and/ or supervising other individuals who need to use rats for research purposes and perform some or all of the techniques described. Additionally, the clear, step-by-step approach and simple instructions in both the printed manual and the DVD may be particularly helpful to those for whom English is a second language. In summary, this is a biomethodology training resource that many animal facilities using rats will find helpful to have on hand as an adjunct tool to existing training programs."
¿Patricia Foley, DVM, DACLAM, CPIA, in American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, May 2011, Vol 50, No 3, p. 412

"Currently, there is a paucity of training material for experimental techniques in laboratory rodents, particularly audiovisual material. The manuals and accompanying DVDs will be of great interest to students, technicians, veterinarians, and investigators. Importantly, the straightforward approach taken in both the printed manual and DVD will be seen as an excellent tool for non-English speaking personnel."
¿Mark A. Suckow, DVM, Dipl. ACLAM, Director, Freimann Life Science Center, University of Notre Dame, & Past President of AALAS

"Persons (students of animal technology) can watch these videos to 'get the picture' and then practice with an experienced individual. It is a good refinement step of the 3Rs¿. I will be very excited to have these manuals to use as training items with my students and as reference resources in our animal facility."
¿Bruce W. Kennedy, MS, RLATG, CMAR, Compliance Associate, Research & Graduate Studies, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, & Past President of AALAS

John Bogdanske

After graduating from Augustana College, John started his research career in 1986 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Nutritional Sciences working with dietary fiber and the nutritional value of common foods. In 1991 he moved to the School of Veterinary Medicine on the Madison campus to take the position of Lab Manager in the Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory (CORL), Department of Medical Sciences. The CORL¿s mission was to investigate fundamental orthopaedic problems that affected either animals or humans in order to identify the mechanisms that cause disease or to develop treatments that would enhance the lives of individuals affected with these diseases. In 2004 he joined the Research Animal Resources Center (RARC) as a Training Coordinator. Along with Scott, Margaret and Beth, he helps develop, manage, and present a comprehensive training program to all UW-Madison research animal users and related staff. John is an active member of Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange (LAWTE) and the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). John spends most of his free time with his family usually playing in the outdoors (on a bike).

Scott Hubbard-Van Stelle

Scott attended the University of Wisconsin in the pre-veterinary program before getting his degree as a certified veterinary technician from the Madison Area Technical College. He worked in a veterinary hospital for a small animal practitioner as a surgical nurse, followed by working for Raltech (now Covance) as a sample collection specialist. Scott started his career at the University of Wisconsin in 1980 when he took a position as a Veterinary Technician in the Veterinary Science Department (currently the department of Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences). After several years, he was promoted to Sr. Research Specialist. During his 19 years with the department, Scott set up the teaching labs and assisted in the teaching of the 301 Physiology and 701 Experimental Surgical Techniques courses, was the assistant to the large animal Experiment Station veterinarian, and supervised the animal care facility for the department. Scott was certified as a Laboratory Animal Technologist in 1993 through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, and is an active member in the Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange. In 2000 Scott accepted his current position as a Training Coordinator with the Research Animal Resources Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scott¿s dogs, guitar, and outdoor activities fill his leisure hours.

Margaret Rankin Riley

After graduating in 1982 with a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Margaret began her UW Madison research work in 1983 at the School of Veterinary Medicine in the respiratory physiology laboratory. In 1990 she moved to the Department of Surgery at UW hospital and worked in the organ preservation research laboratory as a Research Specialist and then became lab manager of the Experimental Surgery Department. Margaret worked with many large and small animal models and assisted researchers with their surgical procedures. In 2004, Margaret joined the Research Animal Resources Center (RARC) as a Training Coordinator where she manages and presents a comprehensive training program to all UW research animal users and their staff. Margaret is an active member of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) and the Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange (LAWTE). Margaret spends most of her free time on the cross country ski, road and mountain bike trails throughout Wisconsin.

Beth Schiffman

Beth became a Certified Veterinary Technician in 1990 from Madison Area Technical College (Wisconsin). In 1991 she graduated as a Veterinary Technologist from Morehead State University (Kentucky) with a Bachelor of Science.

In 1989 Beth began working in a mixed-practice veterinary hospital in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, and she also spent time interning at the Milwaukee County Zoo. In 1993 she left private practice and began her research animal career at Hazleton Laboratories in Madison, Wisconsin. Pursuing an opportunity at the University of Wisconsin ¿ Madison in 1996, Beth began work as a Research Specialist for the Medical School and later became interim manager for the Animal Care Unit. In 1999 she joined the University¿s Research Animal Resources Center as a Training Coordinator where she develops, manages, and presents a comprehensive training program to all UW research animal users and their staff. Beth obtained her RLATG certification and is an active member of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science and the Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange. Most of her free time is spent with her family, horses, and dog or training and competing in running, biking, and triathlon events.