Training & Education

Animal Training

For new students or lab staff, please view our training schedule for times and days we offer basic training on rat and mouse restraint and handling. Please view the instructional rodent procedure videos for examples on some of the many procedures and techniques that can be performed in rodents. For specialized training on any of these procedures, please email olartraining@hsc.wvu.edu to schedule a time and date with a veterinary staff member.

Rodent Anesthesia and Analgesia 

Both survival and non-survival surgeries require an appropriate selection of analgesics and anesthetics. In our Rodent Anesthesia PowerPoint, we go over anesthesia and the anesthesia machine's function and components, stages of anesthesia, group anesthetizing, monitoring, recovery, and analgesia. 

Aseptic Technique

Surgeries are commonly performed on laboratory animals as part of a research protocol - it is crucial to understand why aseptic techniques are important during surgeries, as following these can prevent contamination of the surgical site. In our Sterile Survival Surgery: Surgeon Preparation and Maintaining Sterile Technique PowerPoint, we illustrate proper sterile surgery technique, identify and correct mistakes that lead to breaks in aseptic technique for survival surgeries, and illustrate tips to perform sterile aseptic solo surgeries.

Breeding & Weaning

Managing a rodent breeding colony can be an essential part of a research protocol, which is why it's important to understand the concepts and techniques associated with it. In our Rodent Breeding & Weaning PowerPoint, you will find the following topics that will help you manage your breeding colony: estrous cycles, mating schemes, pheromone effects, pregnancy, parturition, environmental factors, dystocia, neonatal period, cross-fostering, weaning, and care of weanlings.