Cited by 648Animal testing and alternativesMicrobial infections and disease researchAnimal Behavior and Welfare Studies

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FELASA recommendations for the health monitoring of mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit colonies in breeding and experimental units

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FELASA working group on revision of guidelines for health monitoring of rodents and rabbits, Mähler (Convenor), M, Berard, M, Feinstein, R, Gallagher, A, Illgen-Wilcke, B, Pritchett-Corning, K, Raspa, M·2014·Laboratory Animals

DOI 10.1177/0023677213516312

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Abstract

The microbiological quality of experimental animals can critically influence animal welfare and the validity and reproducibility of research data. It is therefore important for breeding and experimental facilities to establish a laboratory animal health monitoring (HM) programme as an integrated part of any quality assurance system. FELASA has published recommendations for the HM of rodent and rabbit colonies in breeding and experimental units (Nicklas et al. Laboratory Animals, 2002), with the intention of harmonizing HM programmes. As stated in the preamble, these recommendations need to be adapted periodically to meet current developments in laboratory animal medicine. Accordingly, previous recommendations have been revised and shall be replaced by the present recommendations. These recommendations are aimed at all breeders and users of laboratory mice, rats, Syrian hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits as well as diagnostic laboratories. They describe essential aspects of HM, such as the choice of agents, selection of animals and tissues for testing, frequency of sampling, commonly used test methods, interpretation of results and HM reporting. Compared with previous recommendations, more emphasis is put on the role of a person with sufficient understanding of the principles of HM, opportunistic agents, the use of sentinel animals (particularly under conditions of cage-level containment) and the interpretation and reporting of HM results. Relevant agents, testing frequencies and literature references are updated. Supplementary information on specific agents and the number of animals to be monitored and an example of a HM programme description is provided in the appendices.

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Method
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Heykants, M., Scherb, H., Michel, G., et al. (2018) · Theriogenology · doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.03.023 · Cited by 5
Ascorbic acid 2‐glucoside improves survival, quality, and fertility of frozen‐thawed C57Bl/6J and C57Bl/6N mouse spermatozoa
Raspa, M., Paoletti, R., & Scavizzi, F. (2024) · Andrology · doi:10.1111/andr.13768 · Cited by 4
Self-citation
Refining the adjuvant-induced rat model of monoarthritis by optimizing the induction volume and injection site
Berke, M. S., Hansen, C. P., Kromann, S., Colding-Jørgensen, P., Kalliokoski, O., Jensen, H. E., Sørensen, D. B., Hau, J., Abelson, K., & Hestehave, S. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-24129-x · Cited by 5
The Impact of Physical Enrichment in the Structure of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Nucleus Accumbens of the Adult Male Rat Brain
Castelhano-Carlos, M. J., Aslani, S., & Sousa, N. (2020) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.040 · Cited by 4
Preclinical Evaluation of virus-like particle Vaccine Against Carbonic Anhydrase IX Efficacy in a Mouse Breast Cancer Model System
Kalniņa, Z., Lieknina, I., Skeltona, V., Akopjana, I., Kazāks, A., & Tārs, K. (2024) · Molecular Biotechnology · doi:10.1007/s12033-023-01021-5 · Cited by 4
Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein instructs dendritic cells to elicit Th22 cell response
Bülow, S., Ederer, K. U., Holzinger, J. M., Zeller, L., Werner, M., Toelge, M., Pfab, C., Hirsch, S., Göpferich, F., Hiergeist, A., et al. (2024) · Cell Reports · doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113929 · Cited by 5
Construction of an atlas of transcription factor binding during mouse development identifies popular regulatory regions
Nordin, A., Zambanini, G., Jonasson, M., Weiss, T., van de Grift, Y. B. C., Pagella, P., & Cantù, C. (2025) · Development · doi:10.1242/dev.204311 · Cited by 4
Antifibrotic effects of specific targeting of the 5‐hydroxytryptamine 2B receptor (5‐HT2BR) in murine models and ex vivo models of scleroderma skin
Trinh‐Minh, T., Manh, C. T., Györfi, A., Dickel, N., Liebel, C., Zhou, X., Wang, J., Kunz, M., Arozenius, H., Pettersson, L., et al. (2025) · Arthritis & Rheumatology · doi:10.1002/art.43151 · Cited by 5
“13 After the mice were killed, a gross macroscopic evaluation of the lungs and the skin was performed.”
Genomic and Pathogenic Characterization of Rtx Toxin Producing Rodentibacter Sp. That is Closely Related to Rodentibacter Haemolyticus
Sasaki, H., Ueshiba, H., Yanagisawa, N., et al. (2022) · Infection Genetics and Evolution · doi:10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105314 · Cited by 4
Mouse breeding facilities in Argentina: Current state, challenges, and strengths in relation to animal welfare
Resasco, A., & Diaz, S. L. (2022) · Frontiers in Veterinary Science · doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.1031976 · Cited by 4
Practical Application of the 3Rs in Rodent Transgenesis
Buch, T., Jerchow, B., & Zevnik, B. (2023) · Methods in molecular biology · doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-2990-1_2 · Cited by 4
Refinement of the motorised laminectomy-assisted rat spinal cord injury model by analgesic treatment
Sreelatha, H. V., Palekkodan, H., Fasaludeen, A., Krishnan, L. K., & Abelson, K. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0294720 · Cited by 4
“Animals had a health status that was in compliance with the FELASA guidelines [27].”
Method
Optimizing environmental enrichment for Sprague Dawley rats: Exemplary insights into the liver proteome
Roschke, N. N., Hillebrandt, K. H., Polenz, D., Klein, O., Gassner, J. M. G. V., Pratschke, J., Krenzien, F., Sauer, I. M., Raschzok, N., & Moosburner, S. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0297497 · Cited by 5
“Pathogen screening of the rat colonies is performed quarterly [17].”
Longitudinal Study of Changes in Ammonia, Carbon Dioxide, Humidity and Temperature in Individually Ventilated Cages Housing Female and Male C57BL/6N Mice during Consecutive Cycles of Weekly and Bi-Weekly Cage Changes
Andersson, M., Pernold, K., Lilja, N., Frías, R., & Ulfhake, B. (2024) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani14182735 · Cited by 4
Cancer vaccines compensate for the insufficient induction of protective tumor-specific immunity of CD3 bispecific antibody therapy
Middelburg, J., Schaap, G., Sluijter, M., Lloyd, K. A., Ovcinnikovs, V., Schuurman, J., van der Burg, S. H., Kemper, K., & van Hall, T. (2025) · Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer · doi:10.1136/jitc-2024-010331 · Cited by 4
Acinetobacter species in laboratory mice: species survey and antimicrobial resistance
Benga, L., Feßler, A. T., Benten, W. P. M., Engelhardt, E., Köhrer, K., Schwarz, Š., & Sager, M. (2018) · Laboratory Animals · doi:10.1177/0023677218818598 · Cited by 5
Multiplex Immunochromatographic Assay for Serologic Diagnosis of Major Infectious Diseases in Laboratory Mice
Tosa, N., Ishida, T., Yoshimatsu, K., et al. (2019) · Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science · doi:10.30802/aalas-jaalas-19-000008 · Cited by 4
Predicting experimental success: a retrospective case-control study using the rat intraluminal thread model of stroke
Liebenstund, L., Coburn, M., Fitzner, C., Willuweit, A., Langen, K., Liu, J., Veldeman, M., & Höllig, A. (2020) · Disease Models & Mechanisms · doi:10.1242/dmm.044651 · Cited by 4
A refined method to monitor arousal from hibernation in the European hamster
Markussen, F. A. F., Melum, V. J., Bothorel, B., et al. (2021) · BMC Veterinary Research · doi:10.1186/s12917-020-02723-7 · Cited by 4
Comparative study on epidural administration of dexmedetomidine, dexmedetomidine–lidocaine or lidocaine in conscious rabbits
Santos, M. A., Lucera, T. M. C., Horr, M., et al. (2021) · Laboratory Animals · doi:10.1177/0023677221993156 · Cited by 4
“The microbiological monitoring and status was performed according to Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations recommendations.(6) All rabbits were free from ecto- (Sarcoptes scabei var.”
Method
Evaluation of a Configurable, Mobile and Modular Floor-Pen System for Group-Housing of Laboratory Rabbits
Matzek, D., Baldauf, H., Schieweck, R., et al. (2021) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani11040977 · Cited by 4
“Hygiene monitoring was performed every six months based on the recommendations of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) working group [14].”
Method
Caloric Restriction in Group-Housed Mice: Littermate and Sex Influence on Behavioral and Hormonal Data
Perea, C., Vázquez‐Ágredos, A., Ruíz-Leyva, L., Morón, I., Zúñiga, J. M., & Cendán, C. M. (2021) · Frontiers in Veterinary Science · doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.639187 · Cited by 4
“Regarding the logistical problems, current legislation [for a review see (24)] limits research installations and resources, discouraging individual maintenance of animals for extended periods of time.”
Background
Adrenal glands of mice and rats: A comparative morphometric study
Siasios, A., Delis, G. A., Tsingotjidou, A., Pourlis, A., & Grivas, I. N. (2021) · Laboratory Animals · doi:10.1177/00236772211044352 · Cited by 5
Validation of Sanitization Practices in Single-use Individually Ventilated Mouse Cages at Standard and Thermoneutral Temperatures
Rogers, R. N., Keenan, R. A., & Winn, C. B. (2022) · Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science · doi:10.30802/aalas-jaalas-22-000036 · Cited by 4
The dopaminergic D1 receptor modulates the hyperactivity of Bapa mutant mice
Oliveira, M. A., Rodrigues, P., Sampaio, A. C. S., Coque, A. D. C., Kirsten, T. B., Massironi, S. M. G., Alexandre-Ribeiro, S. R., Mori, C. M. C., da Silva, R. A., & Bernardi, M. M. (2023) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114562 · Cited by 4
Inducible overexpression of a FAM3C/ILEI transgene has pleiotropic effects with shortened life span, liver fibrosis and anemia in mice
Schmidt, U. G., Uluca, B., Vokic, I., et al. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0286256 · Cited by 4
Normalization of Deviant Behavior in Muc2+/+ Mice through Dietary Incorporation of Bacillus subtilis Spores
Morozova, M. V., Alekseev, А. Y., Saeidi, A., & Litvinova, E. A. (2023) · Progress In Microbes & Molecular Biology · doi:10.36877/pmmb.a0000386 · Cited by 4
“SPF status of mice validated quarterly as per Federation of European laboratory animal science association’s (FELASA) recommendations [44] .”
Method
Major Role of S-Glycoprotein in Providing Immunogenicity and Protective Immunity in mRNA Lipid Nanoparticle Vaccines Based on SARS-CoV-2 Structural Proteins
Bykonia, E. N., Kleymenov, D. A., Gushchin, V. А., Siniavin, A. E., Mazunina, E. P., Kuznetsova, N. A., Kozlova, S. R., Zolotar, A. N., Shidlovskaya, E. V., Usachev, E. V., et al. (2024) · Vaccines · doi:10.3390/vaccines12040379 · Cited by 4
Use of Ronidazole and Limited Culling To Eliminate Tritrichomonas muris from Laboratory Mice.
Steiner, J. M., Schwamberger, S., Pantchev, N., et al. (2016) · PubMed · Cited by 4
A comparative study about the immunomodulatory effects of tramadol and metamizole in a murine model of postoperative ileus
Hong, G., Stein, K., Lysson, M., Kalff, J. C., & Wehner, S. (2019) · Laboratory Animals · doi:10.1177/0023677219832919 · Cited by 4
Alcohol Withdrawal and Proopiomelanocortin Neuropeptides in an Animal Model of Alcohol Dependence
Müschen, L. H., Rhein, M., Hoppe, V., John, N., Schwabe, K., Frieling, H., Bleich, S., & Muschler, M. A. N. (2019) · Neuropsychobiology · doi:10.1159/000499844 · Cited by 4
The Versatile Roles of Nerve Growth Factor in Neuronal Attraction, Odontoblast Differentiation, and Mineral Deposition in Human Teeth
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Repetitive Treatment with Volatile Anesthetics Does Not Affect the In Vivo Plasma Concentration and Composition of Extracellular Vesicles in Rats
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Administration of galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotics in the Flinders Sensitive Line animal model of depression
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Lighting environment: What colour of light do male C57BL/6J prefer?
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Behavioral Assessment of Tramadol and Meloxicam Effects on Postoperative Pain in a Rat Craniotomy Model
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Suitability of prolonged meloxicam treatment in mice seems limited due to unfavorable pharmacokinetics, side effects, and impact on home-cage behaviors
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“Routine health monitoring according to FELASA recommendations 45 did not reveal any evidence of infection with common murine pathogens except for murine astrovirus, Pneumocystis murina, Rodentibacter sp., and apathogenic intestinal flagellates.”

Authors: FELASA working group on revision of guidelines for health monitoring of rodents and rabbits, Mähler (Convenor), M., Berard, M., Feinstein, R., Gallagher, A., Illgen-Wilcke, B., Pritchett-Corning, K., & Raspa, M.
Affiliations: GV-SOLAS, Gesellschaft für Versuchstierkunde
Swedish Veterinary Agency (SE)
Medical Research Council (GB)
University of Washington (US)
AALAS, American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
National Research Council (IT)
ORCID: Berard, M
Raspa, M
Venue: Laboratory Animals
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2014-02-04
Volume: 48
Issue: 3
Pages: 178-192
ISSN: 0023-6772 (ISSN-L)
1758-1117
DOI: 10.1177/0023677213516312
OpenAlex: W2153218957
Semantic Scholar: 3f0f57dfc81bdbf0b4adc599d3696d57bd2535a2
Cited by: 646
References: 382
Citations by year: 2026: 36 · 2025: 63 · 2024: 69 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 67 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 62 · 2018: 47 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 12
FWCI: 51.91
Type: journal article
Language: en
Update notices: correction (2014-09-02)
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Laboratory Animals (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal testing and alternatives
Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Microbial infections and disease research
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Keywords: laboratory animal health monitoring, sentinel animals, opportunistic pathogens, laboratory mice, laboratory rats, golden hamster, guinea pig, rabbits, laboratory animal medicine

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FELASA recommendations for the health monitoring of mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit colonies in breeding and experimental units

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