Refinements in Clinical and Behavioral Management for Macaques on Infectious Disease Protocols

Abstract

Providing optimal clinical and behavioral care is a key component of promoting animal welfare for macaques and other nonhuman primates (NHPs) in research. This overlap between critical areas of management is particularly important for NHPs on infectious disease protocols, which often have unique challenges. For example, traditionally these NHPs were often housed alone, which can have behavioral and clinical consequences. However, in the past decade or so, considerable effort has been directed at modifying procedures in an effort to improve animal welfare for this group of NHPs. In this review, we examine some refinements that can positively impact the clinical and behavioral management of macaques on infectious disease studies, including increased social housing and the use of positive reinforcement techniques to train animals to cooperate with procedures such as daily injections or awake blood draws. We also discuss ways to facilitate the implementation of these refinements, as well as to identify logistical considerations for their implementation. Finally, we look to the future and consider what more we can do to improve the welfare of these animals.

Keywords: SIV; positive reinforcement training; procedure cage; social housing.

Figure 1

Infant housing for ID studies. Each cage (a) contains thermoneutral perching and provides horizontal and vertical access to other cages (b), allowing infants to be housed in groups of 4–6.

Figure 2

Female cynomolgus macaques pair-housed while one was outfitted with a catheter protection system.

Figure 3

Rhesus macaque trained to allow application of topical ointment.

Figure 4

A rhesus macaque in a removable procedure cage. The procedure cage attaches to the exterior of the NHP’s home enclosure. There are holes in the bottom through which the NHP can extend its legs.

Figure 5

A rhesus macaque trained to enter the procedure cage and allow a pulse oximeter meter on his tail.