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by Katie Coleman, Laboratory Sales Consultant
 For years, technicians have been following standard operating procedures, which entail hand syringing liquid medication into individual water bottles. For instance, treating certain strains of mice with liquid Bactrim/Baytril (sulfamethoxacole trimethoprim) to control Pneumocystis carinii and other opportunistic pathogens. This practice is commonly used when maintaining immunodeficient mouse colonies. Another example is using liquid doxycycline for the up/down regulation of certain transgenes. The administration of the medicated liquids are commonly done by hand syringing liquid medication into individual water bottles. This is an extremely labor intensive practice with the nightmare of having to wash, change, fill, transport and autoclave water bottles. The risk of ergonomic injuries is high due to the lifting of the heavy crates of water, and screwing bottle caps on and off.
Modern day facility managers and technicians know all too well the enormous labor and subsequent cost associated with maintaining colonies under these labor intensive conditions. The best solution would be to eliminate the water bottle and find an alternative way to provide the medication.
| Automated watering is instrumental in making life easier for your technicians, by reducing ergonomic injury and saving valuable time. There is also a significant monetary savings for your facility through the reduction of labor. If you would like to know how much money you would be saving by using automated watering instead of water bottles, please request access to our “Cost of Bottles Calculator.” |
To address the water bottle nightmare, you install an Edstrom Automated Watering System in your facility. By doing this, you've done your best to reduce ergonomic injuries and labor costs through auto-mation. The problem is there are still a large number of cages on water bottles because of the need to medicate. You think you have no choice but to continue the laborious chore of syringing those bottles…every week…sometimes twice a week.
But there is an alternative. With the required approval from the chain of command at your facility, you could eliminate the need to hand syringe or even use water bottles by switching to tablets that can be placed directly into the cage. Both Bactrim/Baytril tablets and gamma irradiated doxycycline pelleted diet are available. You can eliminate the need to use bottles and move to automated watering by considering the use of tablets or pelleted diet in lieu of liquid medication. For more information regarding these tablets, visit Bio-Serv, Inc. at www.bio-serv.com . (Note: Veterinary approval must be obtained when making any changes to SOPs.)
Investigators who use Edstrom Automated Watering have saved valuable time for their technicians and have reduced the risks associated with ergonomic injury due to transporting water bottles. If you haven't yet automated, contact your local Edstrom Sales Consultant for information in helping design a watering system that meets your particular needs.
- Katie Coleman - Lab Sales Consultant -
 My interest in animal research began in the early 80's while working as an administrator for a large academic institution in Philadelphia. Working as an assistant to the Dean of Scientific Affairs, I learned about the exciting work being done in the field of Laboratory Animal Science. I was intrigued by the research being done by the brilliant and dedicated scientists who I had the privilege to interact with on a daily basis.
In 1985, I transferred to Laboratory Animal Services as Coordinator for Animal Resources. Over the next 18 years I had various job titles including Assistant to the Director of Animal Resources, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Coordinator (and voting member), Supervisor of Animal Care and Training, Manager of Animal Resources, and later did some independent consulting. During that time I did undergraduate work in the evenings at Thomas Jefferson University and Temple University toward a degree in Business Administration.
I joined Edstrom Industries in September 2001. My territory covers the Northeastern states from New Jersey to Maine. I really enjoy my job because I have a passion for the work that's being done in our field to save lives (both animal and human). I contribute to that cause by helping my customers find vivarium management solutions. I understand my customers' problems and needs…I've been there!
I became AALAS certified in 1987 at the Assistant level, and certified at the RLAT level in 2001. I successfully completed the first section of the CMAR exam while working as an Animal Facility Manager. I have two wonderful boys, the loves of my life, Nicholas, age13, and Ryan, age 7. |
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