Definitions

Physical restraint: the use of manual or mechanical means to limit some or all of an animal’s normal movement for the purpose of examination, collection of samples, drug administration, therapy, or experimental manipulation.[1]

Prolonged physical restraint: physical restraint of a conscious animal for a period of fifteen (15) minutes or longer.

Policy

Prolonged physical restraint should be avoided unless essential to the research objectives, or to prevent injury to animals or personnel. The use of prolonged physical restraint must be scientifically justified and described in the approved ARC protocol. Convenience is not an acceptable justification to use prolonged physical restraint. The least restrictive method of restraint possible should be used, even though it may be more costly and technically more difficult.

When prolonged physical restraint is required, the following considerations must be addressed:

  1. Once a protocol involving prolonged physical restraint has been approved by the ARC, the animals undergoing prolonged physical restraint must be observed by a member of the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) veterinary staff during the initial conduct of the experiment to ensure that the animals are not undergoing undue distress. Ongoing veterinary oversight may be required after the initial observation period is complete, as determined by the ARC.
  2. Unless an exception has been specifically approved in the ARC protocol, animals to be placed in restraint devices should be conditioned to the equipment by gradually increasing time of restraint until the required restraint time is reached. Animals that fail to adapt to restraint should be removed from the study, unless approved by the ARC.
  3. The period of restraint must be limited to the minimum required to accomplish the research objectives.
  4. The purpose of the restraint and its duration should be clearly explained to personnel involved with the study.
  5. For the comfort and safety of the animal, certain types of restraint equipment require that the animals be attended continuously throughout the period of restraint. For each situation, the ARC will determine the intensity of the attention required.
  6. Attention must be given to the possible development of lesions or illnesses associated with restraint, including contusions, decubital ulcers, dependent edema, and weight loss. If these or other problems occur, prompt veterinary care must be provided and may necessitate temporary or permanent removal of the animal from restraint. If the DLAM veterinarian tending the animal considers the health problem serious, the well-being of the animal will take priority over the experimental objectives.

References

  1. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9 (Animals and Animal Products), Chapter 1, Subchapter A (Animal Welfare), Part 2, Subpart C, §3.81(d).
  2. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. National Research Council, 2010.
  3. Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research. National Research Council, pp. 46-49, 2003.
[1] Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th Edition (2011). Page 29.

Approved 11/13/00; Updated 1/18/11; Revised 1/28/02, 5/24/04, 4/12/10; 10/7/24