Charles River Guidebook Series

From breeding practices to behavior and enrichment programs, the Charles River Guidebook Series gives laboratory animal professionals an A-to-Z look at running an effective and humane vivarium. We currently offer the following titles free of charge to interested professionals and institutions.* Request your copies today.

Handbook of Clinical Signs in Rodents & Rabbits

This is an introductory guide containing practical clinical information useful to anyone working with laboratory rodents and rabbits, including veterinary technicians, research personnel, veterinary students, students in research programs, veterinarians and others involved in animal care programs, including regulatory and oversight bodies.

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Companion Guide to Rodent Health Surveillance for Research Facilities

The health of laboratory animals affects their suitability for research. Therefore, an animal health quality control program is important to any research facility. This guide concentrates on health monitoring for rodents and includes a brief consideration of agents, as well as recommendations for the selection of assays, sample type and number and testing frequency. Although the focus is on the theory behind creating a health surveillance program, microbial outbreak response and basic aspects of biosecurity are addressed. 

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*Maximum of 3 total guidebooks per person. Some titles available in Spanish and French in addition to English.


Guidebook on Mouse and Rat Colony Management

Offering insights into nomenclature and information on substrains, this guidebook provides a comprehensive overview and background of both rat and mouse reproductive biology. Breeding strategies, genetic considerations and transgenic technologies are discussed.

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A Guide to the Behavior & Enrichment of Laboratory Rodents

Covering species-typical behavior as well as abnormal/malfunctional behavior and stereotypes observed in mice, rats, hamsters, and gerbils, this is an excellent resource for those looking to implement or enhance an existing behavioral husbandry and  enrichment program. Detailed ethograms (behavior charts) are included for most species covered, as well as charts and photographic examples to help researchers in their observation and quantification of their animals’ behaviors. 

Listen to this podcast to learn more.

 


*Maximum of 3 total guidebooks per person. Some titles available in Spanish and French in addition to English.