Protocol 1. INTRAVENOUS TAIL VEIN INJECTION PROCEDURE FOR RATS AND MICE
1. Technician must be in PPE including gown, booties, mask, cap and
gloves.
2. Weigh the rodent prior to the injection. The injection volume will
be determined by the weight of the animal. The rule of thumb is that the
injection volume should be no more then 10% of the body weight.
3. The rodents are initially put under a heat lamp to increase blood
flow to the tail vein. They can be placed in a plastic cage, chamber, or
bowl with the lamp above them. More then one animal can be heated at a
time.
4. The mice are transferred to a holding device, (AIMS restrainer)
which restrains the mouse while allowing access to the tail vein. The rat
can be placed in a Decapicone(r) or inverted plastic, liter restrainer
with hole cut out for tail access.
5. The lateral tail vein is identified on either side and the saline
mix is injected using the smallest syringe possible with a 27g needle for
mice and a 25 g needle for rats. Start at the tip of the tail and move
closer to the body if you need to stick the animal more then once.
6. You should be able to see the needle inside the vein or at least
see the fluid go into the vein. Do not insert the needle all the way to
the hub. Just far enough to get the bevel inside the vein.
7. The needle should be as flat and parallel as possible to the tail.
The needle can be bent if needle or the tail held below the bench top to
form a level injection site.
8. After removing the needle, hold the site with gauze to stop the
bleeding before returning to cage.
9. They can be returned immediately to their cages.