Encyclopedia of Experiments: Biology
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Transcript
After anesthetizing the mouse, use eye lube, such as the vet ointment, to protect the animal's eyes from damage or injury during surgery. To prepare the surgical site, shave the lower abdomen with small animal hair clippers or a commercially available hair remover. Administer the first dose of subcutaneous 0.1 milligrams per kilogram buprenorphine. Scrub the area with three washes of povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine, followed by 70% isopropyl alcohol rinse.
Then, transfer the mouse to the surgical area. Use an adhesive drape to isolate the surgical site on the mouse. Using sterile instruments and aseptic technique, make an approximately 1-centimeter incision on the midline along the linea alba, about 0.5 centimeters from the costal margin. Then, separate the skin from the muscle layer and make a slightly smaller incision on the linea alba, being careful not to damage the bowels or internal organs.
Once the muscle layer is open, place the sterile telemeter into the intraperitoneal cavity in front of the caudal arteries and veins and dorsal to the digestive organs to allow it to float freely. Close the abdominal opening with a sterile 5-0 absorbable suture and close the skin using a simple interrupted stitch with 5-0 proline suture. Place the mouse in its clean cage with a snuggle microwave heating pad under the cage. Monitor the mouse every 15 minutes during the first hour of recovery from anesthesia and then return to the animal housing facility.
