Harlan currently operates three rodent surgical units housed within our maximum-security production barriers. These units are located in:

• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dublin, Virginia
• Oregon, Wisconsin
• Livermore, California

The units are geographically separated in order to reduce transit time after surgery. Surgically modified animals are shipped to clients using Harlan environment controlled vehicles or air-shipped.

• Reduced potential exposure of animals to pathogens
• Reduced stress associated with facility-to-surgical unit transfer
• Elimination of pre-operative acclimation of animals
• Surgical procedures are performed in pathogen-free facilities

In addition to the in-barrier units, Harlan also operates a barrier surgical unit in Madison, Wisconsin. This unit is maintained outside the production barrier allowing surgical modifications to be performed on strains of rodents not housed in the barriers that have surgical units. These animals are always air-shipped to customers and are not transported using the Harlan truck delivery system.

All surgical modifications are reviewed and approved in advance by the Harlan IACUC. Harlan veterinarians provide oversight and technical and professional support to surgical personnel. Surgically modified animals are monitored to assure complete recovery from surgery. Animals undergoing major survival surgery (as defined by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 1996) routinely receive postoperative analgesia to further ensure their humane and ethical care. All surgical procedures are performed within laminar flow surgery hoods.

Harlan offers several procedures to access cannulated vessels for injection or sample withdrawal. While each procedure offers unique advantages, Harlan’s standard cannulation model is subcutaneous pouch.

Catheter patency is verified by our surgical staff post operatively and at the time of shipment. All catheters are guaranteed patent and clients should confirm patency upon animal arrival. If nonfunctional catheters are found, clients must notify Harlan within 24 hours of arrival.

In addition to the standard cannulation procedure, Harlan offers these additional options:

Multiple surgical procedures, including cannulations, can be performed on a single animal. If you require an unlisted combination, pricing is provided upon request.

Immunodeficient Models

Surgical modification of immunodeficient rodents that are maintained in flexible-film isolators is also available. These surgical procedures are performed within surgery isolators.

Harlan Rounded Tip Catheter

Harlan, in collaboration with Access Technologies and Tracy H. Vemulapalli, DVM, MS Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory Animal Medicine Department of Pathobiology Purdue University, have completed a study using Hsd:Sprague Dawley®™ SD®™ rats to evaluate recommendations for improved patency and biocompatibility in catheterized animals. This study, presented at the 2007 National AALAS Meeting, provides statistical patency benefit to rounded-tip jugular vein catheters^(2,6,9,10) and heparin locking solutions^(5,8,9,10). From these results, and support in literature involving clinical work, Harlan has made available the Harlan Rounded Tip Catheter for vascular access in catheterized rats.

Fig. The relationship between rounded tip and blunt tip catheter configurations on Hsd:Sprague Dawley®™ SD®™ rats with both 500IU Heparin and Taurolidine Citrate locking solutions. Catheter maintenance was completed at seven day intervals for the length of the study.

Benefits

• Increased long term patency, with a flushing interval of 5-7 days
• Reduced maintenance requirements
• No additional cost for both tipconfigurations
  

Bibliography

1. Betjes, M. G., & van Agteren, M. (2004). Prevention of dialysis catheter-related sepsis with a citratetaurolidine- containing lock solution. Nephrol Dial Transplant, 19, 1546-51.
2. Dennis, M. B. Jr, Cole, J. J., Jensen, W. M., & Scribner, B. H. (1984). Long-term blood access by catheters implanted into arteriovenous fistulas of sheep. Lab Anim Sci, 34, 388-92.
3. Jurewitsch, B., & Jeejeebhoy, K. N. (2005) Taurolidine lock: the key to prevention of recurrent catheter related bloodstream infections. Clin Nutr, 24, 462-5.
4. Jurewitsch, B., Lee, T., Park, J., & Jeejeebhoy, K. (1998) Taurolidine 2% as an antimicrobial lock solution for prevention of recurrent catheter-related bloodstream infections. JPEN, 22, 242-4.
5. Luo, Y. S., Luo, Y. L., Ashford, E. B., Morin, R. R., White, W. J., & Fisher, T. F. Comparison of catheter lock solutions in rats. 51th American Association for Laboratory Animal Science National Meeting; San Diego, CA. November 6, 2000.
6. O’Farrell, L. Optimal central venous catheter design for long-term blood sampling in rats. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science. Pennsylvania State University, Heshey, PA, USA.
7. Shah, C. B., Mittelman, M. W., Costerton, J. W., Parenteau, S., Pelak, M., & Arsenault, R. (2002).
   Antimicrobial activity of a novel catheter lock solution. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 46, 1674-9.
8. Steffens, A. B. (1969). A method for frequent sampling of blood and continuous infusion of fluids in the rat without disturbing the animal. Physiol Behav, 4, 833-836.
9. Vemulapalli, T. H., & Fredenburg, N. J. (2007). Evaluation of catheter tip configuration and lock solutions in a rat jugular vein catheterization model. 58th American Association for Laboratory Animal Science National Meeting; Charlotte, NC. October 14, 2007.
10. Vemulapalli, T. H., Fredenburg, N. J., Caraker, S. M., & Stevens, K. A. Evaluation of the effect of rounded tip and catheter lock solution on patency and tissue reactivity of indwelling jugular catheters in rats (manuscript in preparation). Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.