CALS Guideline Title: Use of Wire-Bottom Rat Cages in CALS-ACUC-Supervised Facilities
Wire-bottom cages equipped with a resting surface (e.g. solid-surface platform [6.5 in x 3.5 in], "Rat Loft"1 or tube2) may be used for up to one year to house rats providing they do not exceed one year of age. Proposed use of these cages for more than one year or without a resting surface requires scientific justification. "Scientific justification" means that use of these cages would be essential to the conduct of specific research or experimentation.
1 "Rat" loft as designed by N. J. Benevenga and used in preliminary studies in the laboratory of Dr. M. Clagett-Dame by Mary Kaiser. Loft is made of stainless steel and is 6.5 in x 3.5 in. and hangs 3.5 in. above the cage floor.
2 Opaque plastic tubing 6 in (L) x 2.5 in. (D)
References:
Gonder JC1, Laber K. 2007. A renewed look at laboratory rodent housing and management. ILAR Journal 48(1):29-36.
Peace TA, Singer, Niemuth NA, Shaw, ME. 2001. Effects of caging type and animal source on the development of foot lesions in Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus). Contem Top Lab Anim Sci 40:17-21.
History:
Adopted on November 19, 2003
rereviewed June 2018
