Laboratory environments and rodents' behavioural needs: a review

Balcombe, Jonathan

doi:10.1258/002367706777611488

Cited by 148 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 107 publications

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“…As the husbandry in our study differed slightly between the hydrocephalic and the control groups (Gattermann et al 2002), it remains unclear whether the hydrocephalus had any There have been numerous studies in mice and rats that showed how early husbandry can affect neurodevelopment. Impoverished living environments lead to impaired brain development (Balcombe 2006). We can exclude the possibility that this factor may have played a role in our study, as both the affected as well as the control groups were reared under comparable living conditions, with a high environmental complexity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroencephalography in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

et al. 2008

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SummaryThe golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is a popular laboratory animal and is used in a multitude of behavioural studies. However, it has been shown that it suffers from different forms of hereditary hydrocephalus, which may result in behavioural changes. This prospective study was designed to look into the usefulness of electroencephalography (EEG) measurements in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in hamsters. The EEGs of the hydrocephalic hamsters were evaluated double-blind and showed a high-voltage slow wave activity, with a fast activity superimposed onto it. This pattern has already been well described in other hydrocephalic species and differed significantly from the EEGs that were obtained from the normal hamsters. It was concluded from our study that a background activity with an amplitude over 50 mV in combination with a frequency of ,5 Hz was highly indicative of hydrocephalus in young hamsters. We believe that the EEG could be a very useful diagnostic tool in the screening for hydrocephalus in hamsters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroencephalography in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

et al. 2008

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“…It is also necessary to know them during training of animals (Hasegawa et al, 2014) Knowledge about animal behavior is also applicable in the field of veterinary prevention in all categories of animals use. The design of animal fascilities should be in accordance with the behavioral forms typical for certain animal species (Balcombe, 2006). Therefore, it is not a surprise that today's legislation requires animals to be housed in a "naturalized" environment, as is the case of laying hens, for example, a cage should be equipped with things for climbing, hiding, poking about and plucking.…”

Section: Application Of Knowledge About Animal Behavior In Veterinarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Veterinarians Should Understand Animal Behavior

Vučinić¹,

Nenadović²,

Kovač³

et al. 2018

VJRS

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Abstract:Behavior is the fastest way of animal adaptation to changes that occur in its organism or in its habitat. This is a visible feature of animals. Therefore, veterinarians can use knowledge about animal behavior in many branches of veterinary practice and veterinary science. Knowledge of animal behavior can also be helpful in diagnostics in veterinary practice. In addition, knowledge of animal behavior can be applied in all animal treatment procedures, as well as in their restraint, animal examination, animal learning and training, animal tracking, feeding, reproduction and many other activities. Accommodation systems and all kinds of enrichment of living conditions are part of applied animal behavior science. Veterinarians must know how to prevent behavioral disorders and pathological forms of animal behavior, but also how to treat them. They also need to know how to apply knowledge about animal behavior to protect animal welfare. Applied animal behavior science can be applied to control game animals and pests in a more humane way as well as in conservation of species. There are many other examples of application of animal behavioral knowledge in veterinary practice, as it is presented in this paper.

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“…It has been suggested by several researchers that tail-biting can be prevented Original Research by making changes in housing, changes in the animals' diet (mainly protein and mineral balance), and providing substrates (straw, compost, newspaper, ties), as well as eliminating atmospherically uncomfortable factors (high levels of ammonia, CO2, humidity, or low barometric pressure). 24,25,[27][28][29][30][31] Boredom is also a relevant factor in these circumstances. In rustic systems, where animal density is lower, sometimes rims, chains, or alfalfa branches are placed within enclosures as sources of entertainment for the animals, a situation which technified systems "cannot afford".…”

Section: Welfare Of Pigs In Rustic and Technified Farmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The welfare of pigs in rustic and technified production systems using the Welfare Quality protocols of pigs in Mexico: Validity of indicators of animal welfare as part of the sustainability criteria of pig production systems

2017

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The Welfare Quality® (WQ) protocols have been developed as a tool for the assessment of farm animal welfare based on scientific evidence. Animal welfare (AW) is part of the sustainability criteria of livestock production. A study was carried out in four states of Central Mexico in seven rustic (rPS) and six technified (tPS) production systems using the WQ protocol with the objective of providing an initial approximation of the welfare of animals and to discuss the validity of indicators of AW. The results showed that the animals housed in rustic units presented better results in the Good Health category and with respect to the criterion expression of social behaviour, while the frequency of criteria concerning Positive emotional states was higher in animals in the technified units. In the changing context in which the farms operate, including changing agricultural policies, new environmental and food safety regulations, variability of climatic conditions, and volatility in prices of inputs and outputs, it is not only the attributes referring to productivity and efficiency that become relevant. It is concluded that the criteria related to the WQ principles of health and behaviour are sensitive to changes in the housing and management of pigs. The high occurrences of health and behaviour problems recorded in technified systems are an indicator of poor welfare.

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Laboratory environments and rodents' behavioural needs: a review

Cited by 148 publications

References 107 publications

Electroencephalography in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Electroencephalography in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Why Veterinarians Should Understand Animal Behavior

The welfare of pigs in rustic and technified production systems using the Welfare Quality protocols of pigs in Mexico: Validity of indicators of animal welfare as part of the sustainability criteria of pig production systems

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