Features Assists in the humane care and use of rats in the laboratory Provides quick, easy-to-use information for investigators, technicians, and animal caretakers Includes references to alternative procedures and methods Illustrates concepts and procedures with 31 figures Summarizes data with 30 tables Offers possible sources and suppliers of animals, feed, sanitation supplies, cages, and research and veterinary supplies Lists electronic resources, including web sites, for on-line research Summary Laboratory animals, including rats, play an important role in biomedical research and advances. The humane care and management of these animals is an ongoing concern. This guide was created especially for individuals performing research with laboratory rats whose duties include animal facility management, animal husbandry, regulatory compliance, and technical procedures involved with their research. Basic information and common procedures are presented in detail.

Important Biological Features Introduction Nomenclature Behavior Anatomical and Physiologic Features Hematology and Clinical Chemistry Reproduction Husbandry Housing Environmental Enrichment Nutrition Sanitation Transportation Quality Control Identification and Records Management Regulatory Agencies and Compliance Voluntary Accreditation Occupational Health and Zoonotic Diseases Veterinary Care Physical Examination Diagnostic Imaging Diseases of Laboratory Rats Bacterial Diseases Viral Diseases Parasitic Disease Neoplastic Disease Age-Related Lesions and Miscellaneous Conditions Other Disease Conditions Disease Treatment and Control Prevention of Infectious Disease Anesthesia and Analgesia Aseptic Surgery Preoperative Issues Operative Issues Postoperative Issues Euthanasia Experimental Methodology Restraint Sampling Techniques Compound Administration Other Techniques Common Research Uses Other Rats Used in Research Necropsy Resources Organizations Publications Electronic Resources Vendors References