How to mark nude mice - (Oct/31/2005 )
Hi all,
I am going to work with nude mice, and I am wondering how I can mark or lable them, using a marker or something else?
Sorry for the dummy question and thanks for reply.
G.
when we used to work with guinea pigs back in the day, we marked the ears with sharpies (the ones with 'non-toxic' on the label) we would put a small number on the ear. it stays for several days, but needs to be reapplied for longer experiments...I don't know if this will help you?
Metal rings around their feet or base of the tail?
Tattoos like they do with cows?
Thank you guys for reply. I will try using metal rings or marking in the ear.
the most reliable mark is ear tags. You can buy them from Harvard Apparatus
http://www.harvardapparatus.com/webapp/wcs...productId=37734
I am going to work with nude mice, and I am wondering how I can mark or lable them, using a marker or something else?
Sorry for the dummy question and thanks for reply.
G.
Hey Green,
In our lab we label our nude mice by punching holes in their ears. The problem with the ear tags is sometimes the mouse will tear it out, and it can get very painful/infected. The ear punch method is reliable, although every once in a while the holes will grow back. There is always a circle shaped scar though, which acts as a guide for repunching. We do a right 1, right 2, left 1, left 2, no punch sort of labelling system. If you mix left and right punches on the same mouse it can get really confusing
.teabiscuit
Hi teabiscuit,
I agree that ear tags may cause pain and infection especially on nude mice. Does the numbering system by ear punching work if I have 30-40 mice?
I agree that ear tags may cause pain and infection especially on nude mice. Does the numbering system by ear punching work if I have 30-40 mice?
We use a tail tattoo for mouse ID. An ear-punch system for numbering of mice can be found here.
This system shows numbering of up to 100 mice and is similar to patterns I have used in the past.
It's not as easy to read as a tail tattoo, but it is much cheaper.
I agree that ear tags may cause pain and infection especially on nude mice. Does the numbering system by ear punching work if I have 30-40 mice?
We have our mice separated 5 in each cage, so we can use a simplified ear punching system to mark them. You just have to make sure you only are checking one cage of mice at a time.
teabiscuit
green,
When I mark nude mice, I just take a small scissors and clip a little 'V' shaped bit off the edge of the ear. The clips are easy to see and they don't grow shut and at the edge of the ear like that they don't usually bleed. Also it is easier to use a scissors than a punch, because I can never find a punch that is sharp enough whenever I go to mark mice.
Beverly