Zootechnical aspects of keeping laboratory dogs

Original article
УДК 636.028
DOI: 10.57034/2618723X-2023-01-07

T.G. Barmina*,
animal technician,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7807-0768
E.V. Vesnina,
animal maintenance technician,
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4876-1397
M.A. Akimova,
Chief animal technician,
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8643-3613

Research and manufacturing company “Home оf Pharmacy”,
188663, Russia, Leningrad oblast, Vsevolozhskiy district, Kuzmolovskiy t.s., Zavodskaya st. 3–245.

* Е-mail: [email protected]

Keywords: laboratory animals dogs maintenance reproduction feeding
Acknowledgements

The work was done without sponsorship.

For citation:

Barmina T.G., Vesnina E.V., Akimova M.A. Zootechnical aspects of keeping laboratory dogs. Laboratory Animals for Science. 2023; 1. https://doi.org/10.57034/2618723X-2023-01-07

Abstract

Many animal species, including dogs, are involved in preclinical studies. It has been proven that the responsiveness to changes in the external environment and the effects of pharmacological agents of dog’s nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory and excretory systems is similar in many respects to humans’ one. Laboratory dogs are used in the development of medical and veterinary pharmaceuticals, in biological research, in research for the diagnosis of diseases and many other areas. In addition, dogs belong to predatory mammals, that allows them to be used as an alternative animal species to rodents.

Dogs’ keeping should accomplish the principles of the five freedoms of animal welfare, therefore it is necessary to organize deliberately the placement and maintenance of animals in laboratory. So, dogs must to be given enough space to realize the need for natural behavior. Also, some environmental enrichment should be provided to minimize the level of anxiety and stress. It is also necessary to register the main indicators of the microclimate on a daily basis and take the necessary measures to clean the maintenance boxes regularly and maintain hygienic conditions.

This article covers the main issues of keeping dogs in the laboratory. For this purpose, the literature data and own work experience were systematized. As a result, the following issues were highlighted:

  • the recommended organization of space for animals, including the optimal floor area, the location and purpose of the kennels, varieties of wood pellets;
  • optimal microclimate conditions (permissible temperature, humidity, ventilation, lighting and ultraviolet irradiation);
  • types and examples of environmental enrichment for dogs;
  • ways and types of training, as well as organization of animal walking;
  • regulations of feeding and watering for laboratory dogs depending on their age and physiological condition;
  • reproduction of dogs, including the phases of the female’s reproductive cycle, animal mating, pregnancy and childbirth.

The well — being of laboratory animals depends entirely on human activity. Their psychological and physical condition depends on environmental conditions, feeding, watering and maintenance.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest requiring disclosure in this article.

Authors contribution

T.G. Barmina — collection and analysis of literary data, writing and editing of the text, approval of the final version of the article for publication.
E.V. Vesnina — preparation of the tables, revision of the text of the manuscript.
M.A. Akimova — work with literary sources, search and collection of information.

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Received: 2022-10-19
Reviewed: 2023-01-23
Accepted for publication: 2023-02-06

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