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We wanted to set up a protocol for measuring gut transit times in our mice. This usually would require oral gavage, so we reached out to the 3Hs Initiative. They were incredibly helpful and with their guidance we were able to set up an alternative experimental approach that doesn’t require any regulated procedures and represents a significant refinement for the mice.

I have actually been using one of the methods you discussed on your talk – using 10% condensed milk for oral administration or drugs and for positive re-enforcement when doing protocols with repeated restraint and it has had such a big impact on anxious behaviour in my mice!

Your work is great and we will use it as another tool to change the game.

We are really interested in this technique as we have previously experienced scruffing stress issues with Lister Hooded rats upon intraperitoneal administration

The issue of mouse aggression is one that has direct impact on several aspects of the work that we perform. Ensuring that animals, particularly males, are being housed in the optimal conditions is therefore of significant importance to us.

The work by Professor Robinson’s group is bring new understanding about laboratory animal welfare and objective evidence to support that assessment.

Many thanks for giving a great seminar yesterday (on the 3Hs). We have had a lot of very positive feedback and I am sure there will be some follow up actions in the animal rooms.

Thank you so much for your advice about ip dosing and help learning the method, it has made a huge difference to our animals and is so much less stressful for me

I can’t believe we have not done this before, the habituation with rewards makes the animals so much easier to handle.

Taking on the 3H’s approach to animal care for us was amazing. This was the first time we had housed rats and after applying the techniques for general handling and gentle restraint we were able to complete every required procedure and daily checks with minimal stress for both animals and technicians. The approach was incredibly straightforward and quick to follow, with any additional time spent completing husbandry immediately paid back in how much quicker and smoother it was to complete procedures. These methods resulted in very calm and easily handled rats, as well as significant improvements in the behaviour of our mice (a species we house regularly). Overall adopting the 3H’s approach was very beneficial to us and something we will definitely be implementing moving forward. A big thank you to the team at Bristol university for sharing their work in this area.