Device for craniocervical isolation in rabbits

Abstract

Purpose:To evaluate the craniocervical isolation collar, for use in rabbits, with regard to the following aspects: effectiveness of the craniocervical attachment for up to 120 hours; ease of handling; freedom of the animal to move about and ingest food; and the physical integrity of the animal during and after use of the device. Methods: Starting from an Elizabethan collar, a craniocervical collar was prepared for use in rabbits with the following modifications: a wide cut in the device in the shape of a half-moon, coinciding with the animal's mouth; inner division of the device into two compartments to individually isolate and immobilize the ears; multiple perforations in the upper compartment for better ventilation; adaptation of the cervical-thoracic band to attach the collar to the cervical region, keeping the fasteners on the animal's back. The device was used on 18 male New Zealand rabbits for up to 120 consecutive hours. Results: The device was effective in the craniocervical isolation and separation of ears in rabbits without interfering with the animals' respiration, ability to swallow food, or causing physical trauma, while allowing the animals to move about freely and rest comfortably. Attaching and removing the device was easy and quick and it remained in place for up to 120 hours without the need to reposition it. Conclusion: The modified craniocervical isolation collar made it possible to conduct the experiment with isolation of the rabbits' ears, ease of handling, and without causing limitations in relation to the animals' ability to eat and move about freely. Key words: Instrumentation. Animal Experimentation. Models, Animal. Rabbits. RESUMOObjetivo: Avaliar um colar de isolamento crânio-cervical, para uso em coelhos, quanto aos seguintes aspectos: eficácia da fixação crânio-cervical em até 120 h; facilidade de manuseio; liberdade do animal para deambular e ingerir alimentos; integridade física do animal durante e depois do uso do dispositivo. Métodos: A partir do colar elizabetano confeccionou-se um colar de isolamento crânio-cervical para uso em coelhos, com as seguintes modificações: amplo corte no aparelho, em forma de meia lua, coincidindo com a boca do animal; divisão interna do dispositivo em dois compartimentos, para isolar e imobilizar as orelhas, individualmente; perfurações múltiplas no compartimento superior para melhor ventilação; adaptação de correia cérvico-torácica, para fixar o colar na região cervical, mantendo-se as presilhas de fechamento no dorso do animal. O dispositivo foi utilizado em 18 coelhos machos da raça Nova Zelândia, por período de até 120 horas consecutivas. Resultados: O aparelho foi eficaz no isolamento crânio-cervical e das orelhas de coelhos, não interferiu nas funções respiratórias do animal, na deglutição de alimentos e não causou trauma físico, permitindo a livre deambulação e conforto no repouso. Foi de fácil e rápido manuseio na colocação e retirada, permanecendo no local sem necessidade de reposicionamento por até 120 horas. Conclusão: O colar d...

Closure of large wounds using rubber bands in rabbits

“…For this, a wide cut in the plastic was made in a half moon shape, coinciding with the mouth of the animals. Its fixation in the rabbits' neck useda crepe bandage pierced between the forelimbs and the cervical region to allow free movement and the intake of water and food 7 .…”