ALAT Animal Health and Welfare 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a common clinical sign of pinworm (Syphacia or Aspiculuris) infestation in mice?
- Jaundice and abdominal distension
- Perianal pruritus and rectal prolapse in severe cases (Correct answer)
- Respiratory crackles and nasal discharge
- Corneal opacity and photophobia
Correct answer: Perianal pruritus and rectal prolapse in severe cases
Pinworm infestations in mice can cause perianal irritation and, in heavy infestations, rectal prolapse, though many infections are subclinical.
Question 2: In assessing rabbit welfare using the Grimace Scale, which facial feature is evaluated?
- Ear position and tail movement
- Orbital tightening, cheek flattening, nose shape, whisker position, and ear shape (Correct answer)
- Fur coat quality and body condition score
- Frequency of vocalizations and grooming behavior
Correct answer: Orbital tightening, cheek flattening, nose shape, whisker position, and ear shape
The Rabbit Grimace Scale evaluates five facial action units including orbital tightening, cheek flattening, nose shape, whisker position, and ear shape to assess pain.
Question 3: A technician observes a rat with a red-tinged discharge around the eyes and nose. This substance is most likely:
- Blood indicating hemorrhage
- Porphyrin pigment, which can be a sign of stress or illness (Correct answer)
- A normal secretion with no health significance
- Mucus from an upper respiratory infection exclusively
Correct answer: Porphyrin pigment, which can be a sign of stress or illness
Red-brown porphyrin pigment produced by the Harderian gland can indicate stress, illness, or poor husbandry conditions in rats.
Question 4: Which of the following conditions is MOST likely to compromise the immune status of laboratory mice and affect research outcomes?
- Exposure to nesting material
- Subclinical viral infection such as mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) (Correct answer)
- Moderate changes in room temperature within recommended ranges
- Routine cage change procedures
Correct answer: Subclinical viral infection such as mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)
Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV) is an immunomodulating pathogen that can alter immune responses and significantly confound research results.
Question 5: Under the Animal Welfare Act, which species are NOT covered by federal welfare protections?
- Dogs and cats
- Non-human primates
- Rats, mice, and birds bred for research (Correct answer)
- Farm animals used in biomedical research
Correct answer: Rats, mice, and birds bred for research
The AWA specifically excludes rats of the genus Rattus, mice of the genus Mus, and birds bred for use in research from its coverage.
Question 6: A technician notices a rabbit with a head tilt (torticollis). The most common infectious cause of this sign in laboratory rabbits is:
- Pasteurella multocida otitis interna (Correct answer)
- Herpes simplex virus encephalitis
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Clostridium piliforme infection
Correct answer: Pasteurella multocida otitis interna
Pasteurella multocida can cause otitis interna in rabbits, leading to vestibular dysfunction and characteristic head tilt.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a body condition score (BCS) in laboratory animal monitoring?
- To measure the animal's activity level during the dark cycle
- To provide a standardized assessment of an animal's nutritional status and fat reserves (Correct answer)
- To record the number of animals in a given cage
- To evaluate fur color changes as a disease indicator
Correct answer: To provide a standardized assessment of an animal's nutritional status and fat reserves
Body condition scoring provides a systematic, objective method to evaluate nutritional status by assessing fat and muscle mass.
ALAT Animal Health and Welfare 4
Which of the following is a common clinical sign of pinworm (Syphacia or Aspiculuris) infestation in mice?