Brief physical restraint of animals for examination, collection of samples, and a variety of other clinical and experimental manipulations can be accomplished manually or with devices such as restraint stocks or squeeze cages. It is important that such devices be suitable in size and design for the animal being held and operated properly to minimize stress and avoid injury to the animal.
Prolonged restraint of any animal should be avoided unless essential to research objectives. Less restrictive systems, such as the tether system or the pole and collar system, should be used when compatible with research objectives. The following are important guidelines for the use of restraint equipment:
- Animals to be placed in restraint equipment should be conditioned to such equipment detailed in the animal protocol prior to initiation of the research
- The period of restraint should be the minimum required to accomplish the research objectives. The IACUC must approve prolonged restraint for any reason
- Attention must be paid to the possible development of lesions or illnesses associated with restraint, including contusions, decubital ulcers, dependent edema, and weight loss. If these or other problems occur, veterinary care must be provided to treat the animal, which if necessary must be temporarily or permanently removed from the restraint device.