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HELP HIM. (mander.xyz)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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[–] 24 points 1 year ago (7 children)

This pic looks like the same from a post people talked about how this is used to transport lab rats around a lab, that it cam be comforting to them, comfy confinment or something. tldr the rat is safe (for a likely lab rat) and this is humane treatment.

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  • [–] 57 points 1 year ago* (5 children)

    Not really. It causes them stress. “Safe” and “Humane” are variable. But it definitely isn’t the “best” restraint method.

    lifting and holding by the tail, and handling using a soft plastic restraint cone, resulted in significant increases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate compared with baseline.3 The authors concluded that being lifted in a restraint cone appeared to be the most disturbing handling method for the rats, followed by the tail method, as determined by prolonged duration of increased cardiovascular parameters as compared with the encircling or scruffing methods.3

    As for example explored by this paper: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10844733/

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  • [–] 30 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    Noted, thank you...now I need to read these papers to learn the actual "best" method of restraint...even though ive never really seen a mouse in my life and likely never will need to restrain them.

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  • [–] 25 points 1 year ago* (3 children)

    For mice it’s tunnel handling, where you just let them walk into a tube and pick that up. You do need to scruff them to hold them for actual procedures and to examine their teeth and stuff, but it’s really stressful for them to be snatched out of their home by the tail.

    For rats it’s just picking them up with your hand over their back and under the armpits and then support the bum with your other hand like you would a kitten or any other small domestic critter. Rats are generally more calm and don’t mind being picked up, mice don’t love it and will jump or run away or bite.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    I think that really depends on the individual, some rats are skittish and don't like being handled at all. The best way to handle them is to leave them alone.

    Humans should test their shit on themselves or on some other human that they can explain the risks to and agree compensation.

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  • [–] 8 points 1 year ago

    Humans should test their shit on themselves or on some other human that they can explain the risks to and agree compensation

    And medical research would grind to a halt. As unfortunate of relying on these creatures is, their fast growth, short lived, and rapid reproduction cycle makes them perfect for all kinds of research.

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  • [–] 9 points 1 year ago

    The rat is safe in that it can't hurt itself or others, but they feel the same about this kind of confinement as humans do. I guess whether that counts as humane is a matter of opinion.

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