Careful How You Hold Me was primarily developed as an introductory course on laboratory animal handling and experimental procedures for new investigators and animal technicians commencing work with animals (mice, rats, guinea-pigs and rabbits) in biomedical research.   The content is organised for either random or sequential use.   The CD-ROM includes more than one hundred high quality still photographs, forty minutes of QuickTime films, some testing, including an off-computer skills test, as well as hot links to useful background material, tables and references.   There is a strong emphasis on core information required to operate effectively as an animal-based scientist.   Material has been drawn from a wide range of sources including the experience of practitioners who have worked in the field over many years.   In addition to background information linked to each section, sections are also interlinked.   The program covers the following headings: LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND CODES OF PRACTICE: This section consists of a single screen of nine key questions (each linked to an answer) for investigators looking for useful background information to complete an Animal Ethics Form (ie. an application for approval to use animals in research or teaching).   While statutory and other information referenced may be specific to Victoria, Australia, general principles apply to best practice in animal based research around the world; SOURCING ANIMALS: A section that briefly describes and illustrates examples of animals commonly used in research today.   It explains how species are generally classified on the basis of their genetic background (outbred/inbred etc.), as well as the environment in which they have been raised and maintained, i.e. their microbiological status (conventional, SPF, germfree); HUSBANDRY: This section demonstrates how to catch/carry/restrain, sex, identify, weigh, check for health, and hold animals for injections or collections commonly performed.   Housing, transporting, feeding, and watering are also covered.   There is some problem-based learning as well as a printout Skills Inventory Sheet for the novice to take up to the animal house for instruction and testing by animal management staff; ANAESTHESIA: This section covers facts to consider when choosing an anaesthetic (injectable or gas), discusses pros and cons of each, describes the classic stages of anaesthesia, and provides printout tables on anaesthetic drugs and routes of administration recommended for use in the laboratory.   Pre-and post-operative considerations are also discussed.   There are links to photographic demonstrations/diagrams of equipment and procedures where appropriate; ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE AND SURGICAL PRACTICE: This section includes photographic and textual information on surgical instruments, describes important factors to consider when undertaking aseptic technique and surgical practice, and demonstrates common surgical procedures undertaken in the laboratory; EUTHANASIA, AUTOPSY, AND DISPOSAL: The last section covers factors to consider when choosing a method for euthanasia, provides a printout table of methods recommended (for ease of reference in the laboratory), as well as a visual representation of each.   There is a single printout page on autopsy methodology for the beginner, and a short description of methods recommended for the disposal of carcasses and waste.

Comments & References: Suitable for veterinarians moving into the field of Laboratory Animal Science and Animal Welfare, and for members serving on Animal Ethics Committees wishing to learn more about standards of practice.   Suitable as an independent or as a classroom teaching tool.   System requirements: Runs on Macintosh and Windows: 32 MB of RAM, 640 x 480 display, thousands of colours, sound; MacOS7.5+, Power Macintosh; Windows 95+, Pentium 133 or higher.   Produced by The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Research Office.   Contributors: Melbourne Research Office, The University of Melbourne; BRL, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre; Central Animal Services, Monash University; Comparative Biology Centre, University of Newcastle, United Kingdom; and Department of Surgery, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre.   For more information and purchase options, please see http://www.eshowcase.unimelb.edu.au/packages/careful-how-you-hold-me.   A review of this program is available from EURCA (European Resource Centre for Alternatives in Higher Education, http://www.eurca.org/rev_full.asp?EdID=690517).   Please see their alternatives database for another description of this product (http://www.eurca.org/list_res.asp?CatID=All).

Computer type: Windows, Macintosh

Price: Please contact supplier

ISBN: 978-0-7340-2664-4

Version: Version 1.0, 2001