An Improved Restraint Apparatus and Observation Table for Ophthalmological Examination of Rabbits

Abstract

Most of the ophthalmological instruments used in animal experimentation were designed originally for use on human beings and therefore are often inconvenient in experiments using rabbits, which are frequently used for testing of this eye drops and so on. The objective of the present trial was to overcome the inconvenience and we succeeded in producing a stressless restraint apparatus and an easy-to-operate observation table for rabbits. The holding box was made of aluminum and designed so as to minimize stress on the rabbit by providing adequate space for the rabbit to stretch its front legs and to lower the position of its neck, and the weight of the device was reduced to make it portable. The observation table was made of metal, mainly aluminum, and was sustained by a coupled pair of pantagraphs for ease of height adjustments. A small roller bearing assisted pantagraph was used for angle adjustment. The weight of the table was kept to a minimum in order to lighten the burden on the apparatus.

The experimental use of these trial models revealed a significant reduction in injuries and less change in physical condition of the rabbits. Also, the observation table permitted the operator to work alone and perform examinations and recording within a shorter period of time.