Policy on Injection of Substances into Rodents.
Injections may be given subcutaneously (SC), intramuscularly (IM),
intraperitoneally (IP), intradermally (ID) or intravenously (IV).
Injection of compounds presents several risks to the animal. Use of
a single needle to inject multiple animals can spread disease. Dirty,
bent, broken or dull needles may lead to injuries or infection at
the site of injection. The operator also assumes some risk when making
injections into animals. There is the risk of injury caused by a struggling
animal and the possibility of accidental self-injection.
The Case IACUC limits the use of a single needle for injection of
up to 5 rodents that are housed in a single cage in order to minimize
the potential for spreading infectious agents between rodents. Investigators
should not use the same needle to inject rodents in different cages.
Needles used for blood withdrawal or intravenous injection may not
be used on more than one animal.
When administering an injection, the animal must be properly restrained
to avoid injury to either the animal or the operator. The ARC Training
and Compliance Coordinator can provide training in restraint and injection
procedures for a variety of species. (ARC_Training).
A clean, sharp needle should be rapidly placed into the site, the
dose administered and the needle rapidly removed.
Injection needles are available in varying lengths
and diameters, the larger the gauge, the smaller the
diameter of the needle. As a rule, use the largest
gauge size (thinnest needle) that the medication will
pass through and that will not bend or break during
injection. Generally 22 gauge needles are used for
most species when possible. For mice, a 25 gauge needle
may be used.
When injecting multiple rodents, needles may be used
on more than one animal where necessary to conserve
injected material. The CWRU IACUC limits the
use of a single needle for injection of up to 5 rodents
that are housed in a single cage. In order to minimize
the potential for spreading infectious agents between
rodents investigators should not use the same needle
to inject rodents in different cages. Needles used
for blood withdrawal or intravenous injection may not
be used on more than one animal.
Maximum Injection Volumes:
Route |
Mouse (25 gram) |
Rat (250 gram) |
IV |
0.2 ml |
0.5 ml |
IP |
2-3 ml |
5-10 ml |
SC |
2-3 ml |
5-10 ml |
IM |
0.05 ml |
0.3 ml |
ID |
0.01 ml |
0.05 ml |
|
