Dogs in medical research

This video shows typical housing conditions for dogs. There are multiple enclosures which allow isolation of single dogs, but which can be opened up for interaction. Because dogs are social animals, they are not singly housed for long periods unless necessary, most of the time the dogs will be housed in small groups. There is often a larger space within the animal house which is used for exercise and play with the ability to run around. The room in this video is similar to those found in other facilities, providing an area where the dogs can interact with each other in a sensory rich environment to satisfy their inquisitive nature. This video has no sound.

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Dogs have proved invaluable in developing the heart-lung machine used in open-heart surgery, their use also led to the discovery of the cause of diabetes. Strict guidelines ensure the dogs are purpose-bred and they have to be provided by companies who are registered to provide animals for testing. There are preferences for certain breeds, as some are easier to use due to their ease of handling, and general behaviour. Beagles are one of the breeds often used and are considered good models for human diseases including the study of heart disease and testing new medicines. In 2007 only 0.2% of all animals used in procedures were dogs or cats.

Last edited: 14 January 2022 09:47

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