mouse is grasped correctly, the head is adequately controlled Restraint is improved if the tail or the tail and rear legs are held by the third and little fingers of the same hand or with the other hand digure 4) Mice should not be dropped into the cage, which may result in spinal fracture, but should be lowered into the cage and released upon contact with the bedding
Mice less than two weeks of age can be handled by grasping the loose skin over the neck and shoulder with thumb and forefinger or smooth tipped forceps figure 5). Handling neonatal mice should be avoided especially during the first few days after birth to avoid cannibalism or litter abandonment. If it is necessary to handle the litter, remove the dam to a separate cage and handle the neonates using plastic gloves to avoid contamination with human scent. Multiparous females are less likely to cannibalize if they have been successful mothers and should be chosen if litter manipulation is necessary