Stress induced by light weight back button used to prepare the rat for continuous intravenous infusion.
A light weight plastic back button used to secure a metal catheter protector to the rat's back was tested as a stressful force on the rat. The results demonstrate that the button does indeed produce a stress that is apparent from abnormal weight gain. In young rats, 150 to 180 g. the stress was alleviated by overnight fasting prior to placement of the button; older animals, 350 g. displayed an exaggerated response to its placement. While the younger rats gained weight more slowly than controls, the older animals lost weight daily for 5 days. It is our conclusion that, while the back button has many advantages over the more popular harness, the button also induces stress. Consequently, control animals should wear a button even if they are not infused.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012107:Research Design; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors