Assessment of the breeding and maintenance problems of laboratory animals in Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract: Laboratory animal breeding and maintenance problems existing in Ethiopia were assessed and identified. From which part of the breeding or maintenance activities and the problems emerged were identified. Some Laboratory animal breeding and maintenance facilities were visited. A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed to various institutions in Ethiopia. The visits were limited to institutions in and around Addis Ababa where many of the laboratory animal facilities are concentrated. The questionnaire was distributed to all institutions that were believed to breed/ maintain laboratory animals. Therefore, most of the institutions which were outside Addis Ababa were reached only through the questionnaire. Collection and microscopic examination of faecal samples were carried out on a representative population of animals to assess the health status of the animals. Some positive results have been obtained. Samples from diets of some animals were also taken from the visited institutions. To evaluate the quality of the diet, each sample was analyzed for its nutrient contents. This study demonstrated that there are problems in housing, feeding, staffing, provision of veterinary care, breeding system and the like. The annual production and utilization of laboratory animals in the country was also found to be very minimal. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1999;13(1):49-54]