Small Laboratory Animals Handling

Learning animal handling skills is mandatory for all the researchers opting to conduct animal experiments. To fulfill this basic need a one day workshop on “Small Laboratory Animals Handling” was conducted for M.Phil and PhD students of Khyber Medical University on 16th May 2024. The workshop was organized by The Institute of Basic medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and IBMS Research Forum. The workshop comprised of a theoretical session followed by hands-on training of all participants on basics of laboratory mice and rats handling.

The first session commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Mr. Muhammad Shafiq (M.Phil MBG student). Dr. Habiba Rashid, Assistant Professor-IBMS and Resource person for the workshop, welcomed the participants. She shed light on different aspects of laboratory animals handling, breeding, feed, maintenance and wellbeing. Dr. Abid Ahmad, Research Officer VRI Peshawar, briefed the participants about Veterinary Research Institute Peshawar, and about different aspects of small laboratory animals housing and handling. Dr. Sarwat Jehan, briefed about the different routes of drug administration in lab mice and rats.  Dr. Najma Baseer, Associate Professor-IBMS, talked about the importance of ethical treatment of laboratory animals and overview of relevant laws and regulations.

In the hands-on session Dr. Habiba Rashid along with Dr Abid and Dr. Muhammad Ikram (Assistant Professor, IPS) demonstrated different handling, restraining and drug administration techniques for mice and rats. Following which all the participants were allowed to perform handling.

The workshop concluded with certificate distribution ceremony. Dean Basic Medical Sciences Professor Dr. Rubina Nazli distributed certificates of appreciation to the facilitators, organizers and participants.