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Animal Identification

John Donovan1,  Patricia Brown2

1Wyeth Research, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
2National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland


Publication Name: 
Current Protocols in Immunology
Unit Number: 
Unit 1.5
DOI: 
10.1002/0471142735.im0105s73
Online Posting Date: 
July, 2006
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Abstract

Proper identification of animals is crucial in research, whether the animals are being used as experimental subjects, for breeding purposes, or as a source for tissues, cells, or fluids. This unit provides specific protocols for the ear punch (notch) and ear tag methods for mouse, rat and hamster; tattoos for mouse, rat and rabbit; and the correct use of a subcutaneous transponder system for all of the above species.

Keywords: identification; mouse; rat; hamster; rabbit; tag; transponder; tattoo; notch

     
 
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Table of Contents

  • Unit Introduction
  • Basic Protocol 1: Ear Notch or Punch for Mouse, Rat, and Hamster
  • Basic Protocol 2: Ear Tag for Mouse, Rat, and Hamster
  • Basic Protocol 3: Tattoo for Mouse and Rat
  • Basic Protocol 4: Tattoo for the Rabbit
  • Basic Protocol 5: Subcutaneous Transponder for Mouse, Rat, Hamster, and Rabbit
  • Commentary
  • Key References
  • Figures
     
 
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Materials

Basic Protocol 1: Ear Notch or Punch for Mouse, Rat, and Hamster

 Materials
  • Ear punch—either hole (National Band and Tag) or notch (Harvard Apparatus)

Basic Protocol 2: Ear Tag for Mouse, Rat, and Hamster

 Materials
  • Ear tags (National Band and Tag)

Basic Protocol 3: Tattoo for Mouse and Rat

 Materials
  • Micro-tattooing forceps (Ketchum Manufacturing)
  • Green tattoo paste (Ketchum Manufacturing)
  • 25- to 30-G, 0.5-in. needles

Basic Protocol 4: Tattoo for the Rabbit

 Materials
  • Ketamine/xylazine solution (unit 1.4)
  • 70% ethanol
  • Gauze sponge or swab
  • Tattoo machine (Animal Identification and Marking Systems)
  • Additional reagents and equipment for anesthesia (unit 1.4)

Basic Protocol 5: Subcutaneous Transponder for Mouse, Rat, Hamster, and Rabbit

 Materials
  • 70% ethanol
  • Gauze sponge or swab
  • 12-G implantation device loaded with sterilized transponders, and associated receiving unit (BioMedic Data Systems or AVID Identification Systems)
Looking for materials?  Suppliers Guide
     
 
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Figures

  • Figure 1.5.1
    Ear punch identification of rodents. Determine the location of the identifying punch(es) according to the illustrated code (A). Restraining the animal manually, place punch in the desired position and firmly and quickly punch hole (B).

    View Image
  • Figure 1.5.2
    Tattooing the anesthetized rabbit on the inside of the pinna.

    View Image

Literature Cited

Key References
    Ball, D.J., Argentieri, G., Krause, R., Lipinski, M., Robinson, R.L., Stoll, R.E., and Visscher, G.E. 1991. Evaluation of a microchip implant system used for identification in rats. Lab. Anim. Sci. 41:185-186.
    Fox, J.G, Anderson, L.C., Lowe, F.M., and Quimby, F.W. (eds.) 2002. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2nd ed., pp. 179-180. Academic Press, San Diego.

Provide additional details on animal identification methods.

     
 
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