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IDENTIFICATION METHODS-RODENTS According to The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, means of rodent identification include: room, rack, pen, stall, and cage cards with written or bar coded information; color strains; ear notches and tags; tattoos and subcutaneous transponders; and freeze brands. Toe clipping is a method that should only be used when no other identification is feasible and must be done on <12 day old mice and <7 day old rats. All the techniques below are acceptable forms of identification. Individual identification plays a critical role in accurate record keeping. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. In long term studies it is important to use a method that is permanent and easily read. Training for these methods is available through the Lab Animal Resources Veterinary Department. Long Term Methods Method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Comments | Ear Notch/Punch | Can be done quickly causing little pain; Instruments are not costly and are easy to obtain | Can not be done until ear is fully developed; May not work with fractious strains (ears may tear from fighting-obliterates pattern) | Tools need to be replaced frequently as they dull | Ear Tagging | Inexpensive and easy to apply; Does not require anesthesia; Can be done quickly; Causes little pain or distress | If not applied properly, can fall out- may be lost if ears are torn; Some strains are prone to scratching which can cause infection and granulomas | Usually last 6 months if placed properly; Animal must be securely restrained |
Microchipping | May be applied w/o anesthesia; Even though chips may migrate, they are not lost; Animals can be identified without handling | Equipment is expensive; Microchips are also expensive (may be re-used if properly sterilized) If not implanted properly, can cause infection | Animal must be securely restrained to place properly | Microtattooing | Works well in all strains; Cost is reasonable; May be applied at any age; Easily read-especially if applied to tail of lt. colored rodents; Causes only minor pain | May be difficult to read in young pigmented mice(improves as mice age); Small chance of infection if not applied correctly; Tattooer is expensive | Especially good in rats; Method is growing in popularity |
Short term Methods Method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Comments | Hair clipping | Causes no pain | Very temporary-hair will grow back in 10 days | Keep record or picture to identify | Permanent marker or dye | Only minor stress due to restraint | Must be redone frequently; Time consuming; mothers will groom markings off of neonates overnight | Keep record or picture to ID |
Updated 5/21/07
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 June 2008 06:13 |
General Information 
