Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chemical restraint minimizes animal stress and protects
both the animal and personnel from harm.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Dental Care
Nonhuman primates should receive routine cleaning and
maintenance toward safeguarding oral health (
Wiggs and
Hall, 2003; Johnson-Delaney, 2008
). This includes removal
of tartar, stain, and plaque, the treatment of caries, and the
polishing of tooth surfaces. Because ultrasonic scaling may
aerosolize pathogens, hand scaling and manual root planing
is preferred. Tooth root abscesses are commonly observed
subsequent to severe periodontal disease, technical failure
of canine disarming methods, and traumatic injuries to
teeth. They typically present as a draining fistulous tract
located either facially or within the oral cavity. Treatment
options include extraction of the affected tooth or a root
canal procedure.
FIGURE 13.3
A squeeze-back cage with the animal positioned for
intramuscular injection.
Canine Disarming
For many years, disarming of nonhuman primate canines
was considered an accepted management tool to reduce
injuries to cagemates and severe trauma to animal care-
takers (
Brady and Morton, 1995
). However, according to
the Animal Welfare Act (Policy #3, 2006) and a position
statement adopted by the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) in 2004 and revised in 2007, removal
of canine teeth must be medically or scientifically justified
or there must be animal or human safety concerns. Removal
of the teeth or exposure of the pulp cavity may result in
long-term complications such as migration of adjacent
teeth, malocclusion, and pain.
necessary when handling larger and/or mature nonhuman
primates. Common devices include squeeze-back cages,
pole and collar devices, and restraint chairs (
Leahy and
Barrow, 1971
). The latter two are used for research proto-
cols and will not be discussed.
Squeeze-back cages are assembled with a movable rear
wall which can be advanced forward in order to secure the
animal against the opposing front cage bars (
Figure 13.3
).
A power-driven crank, hand-crank, or a simple manual
pull mechanism is used to position the squeeze, which
should be applied gradually in order to allow the animal to
adjust position. Care must be taken to ensure that the
animal's hands, feet, tail, and other body parts are not
entrapped as the squeeze mechanism progresses forward.
The operator must take precautions to remain out of reach
of the subject and protected from fluids originating from
inside the cage. Although pressure on the nonhuman
primate should be the minimum amount required to
accomplish restraint, techniques such as injections and
oral examinations are best completed with the animal
completely immobilized. Pressure from the squeeze
mechanism should be immediately released upon finishing
the procedure.
Oral Administration
Frequently, oral administration of a therapeutic agent is
required. It is oftentimes a challenge to entice a nonhuman
primate to consume the agent voluntarily. Several
commercial companies offer laboratory diets with drugs
incorporated. These diets replace the animal's diet and, if
consumed normally, will dose each nonhuman primate
appropriately. Commercially prepared therapeutic treats,
designed especially to appeal to nonhuman primates, are
also available. Some substances may be administered
in treats prepared on-site, but unless thoroughly blended
and disguised in flavor and appearance, the nonhuman
primate may quickly learn to pick through the treat and
leave the drug behind. Examples of preparations that
nonhuman primates will usually eat and which will mask
many medications are banana paste, peanut butter, pudding,
Chemical Restraint
Anesthetic agents can be used alone or in combination to
chemically restrain nonhuman primates. Intramuscular
injections are commonly given to nonhuman primates
directly after achieving manual or squeeze-cage restraint.
