A questionnaire-based inventory of the orbital puncture method in the Netherlands

To contribute to the assessment of the degree of discomfort in rodents as caused by orbital puncture, we made an inventory in the Netherlands on the basis of an inquiry. Orbital puncture is being performed in laboratory rodents more than 45000 times a year. Usually, ether is used as anaesthetic. In about two-third of the institutes where orbital puncture is being performed, complications are noted. In I to 5 % of the animals punctured blindness can occur. In more than half of the institutes where orbital puncture is being performed there are objections to this technique. Which are essentially of an emotional/ethical nature.