Create a safe and reliable rabbit tethered infusion system.

With our help, you can build the infusion system that suits your animal, staff and study needs.

Tethered Infusion System for Rabbits

Since rabbits are small, it isn't always easy to find a pump that works for ambulatory infusion studies. Because of this, it is common to use a tethered infusion model. Tethered infusion makes it easier to administer large volumes, and makes changing syringes and pump settings fast and simple. A common rabbit tethered infusion configuration is shown here, and covers a majority of protocols. We can help you choose the best options for your catheter, catheter access, pumps and more based on:

  • Cage/Run Size
  • Volume & Flow Rate
  • Animal Weight
  • Long Term or Short Term Study
  • Intermittent or Continuous Infusion

To learn more about all options, keep reading, or reach out to our experienced staff for advice.

Build a Tethered Infusion System for Rabbits

Your step-by-step guide to building a safe, effective infusion system for tethered rabbit studies.

Infusion Pumps

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Rabbit infusion protocols are compatible with a wide range of therapeutics, but are often used in reproductive toxicology studies. To help manage data in these regulated studies, it is worthwhile to consider pumps with GLP-compliant data management software, such as our SAI 3D Pump with Axios™ software.

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  • SAI 3D- This pump was designed for lab animal infusion studies so it won't ever be impacted by medical regulatory changes. With a small footprint and multiple mounting positions, it's ideal for space-challenged animal rooms. Best for GLP studies, including large scale infusion protocols. Optional management software and maintenance plans.
  • CADD 6500- These pumps use medication cassettes instead of syringes, making it possible to connect them to large volume medication bags. While they are too heavy for rabbits, these pumps can be used for ambulatory studies in dogs and pigs.
  • Refurbished Baxter AS50- This infusion pump is a workhorse, and has much of the functionality of the SAI 3D pump. While the cost is lower, these units are only available refurbished, and they cannot be controlled with software.

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For many researchers, rabbit infusion studies aren't run on a daily basis. Pump rental is a great option to add the capability to your lab when you need it, without making a large capital investment.

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To keep your pumps in good working order, take advantage or our pump repair and calibration services. We service a variety of pumps, and can provide paperwork to support your regulated studies.

For GLP studies, data management is made easy with our software. The SAI 3D Programmable Pump works with Axios™ Infusion Management Software is a networked software platform that makes it possible to monitor and control 600 or more SAI 3D™ syringe per room and access them from any computer on the Axios™   Network.

Jackets

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For rabbits, an appropriately designed jacket is key- leg loops are especially important. The right jacket keeps the animal and the catheter lines safe, but also provides comfort and freedom of movement. We'll help design a jacket that matches your protocol so that lines can feed through the tether easily and that everything is well adapted to the cage or run.

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  • Flexible and durable design combines lightweight, breathable mesh and soft cotton jersey
  • Options also available for dermal studies
  • Leg loops are highly recommended
  • Sizing for Rabbits from <2.7kg and >5.4kg

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  • Stainless Steel Tethers connect between the jacket and the swivel.
  • Available in three standard diameters
  • Lengths from 2-5ft with custom options available
  • Allows freedom of movement while protecting the catheter(s).
  • The Tether End Plate is integrated directly into the jacket and provides a strong base of support for the swivel connection.

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  • Large Animal Swivels are available in high impact plastic or stainless steel.
  • Options include single, dual and triple channel configurations
  • 16-20 gauge connections- sizing depends on the type of tubing being used and the total number of fluid lines

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For rabbit infusion studies, the most common implant site is the jugular vein, but this depends on both the study needs and the surgeon preference. We offer a wide range of catheter options, and can customize the catheter to suit your needs.

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  • Biocompatible catheters are available in both polyurethane and silicone.
  • Sizes from 3-5 Fr, or custom options available
  • Standard design features suture beads at 5 and 7 cm
  • Optional female luer injection valve
  • Ideal for: mid to long-term studies. While the jugular vein is relatively easy to access, it is more invasive than the ear vein. Use this location when your infusion occurs on multiple days or across a several week span.  

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  • Rounded-tip polyurethane design is our best seller
  • Standard size is 3 Fr, or custom options available
  • Suture beads at 7 and 9 cm, or customize for your protocol
  • Ideal for: Blood collection or infusion. While the jugular vein is easy to access, it can be prone to kinking due to position of the head and neck. The femoral implant is less affected by positional issues.

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  • Biocompatible, polyurethane catheters
  • Includes a guide wire and catheter introducer needle for easy implant
  • Access is through marginal ear vein, but catheter tip is advanced into the jugular vein
  • Ideal for: Short term studies- a few days up to two weeks. The benefit of this approach is that no cut-down surgery is required. However, it can be difficult to protect the tubing for a tethered study and catheter patency is not as reliable as a jugular implant.

Externalization

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The most common options for catheter externalization include Vascular Access Ports (VAPs) or a luer hub on an externalized catheter. The right choice for your study depends on the requirements of your protocol.

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  • The most commonly used rabbit VAP is our P.A.S. Port Elite due to the low profile
  • VAPs are positioned completely under the skin
  • A Huber Needle is required to access the VAP without causing damage
  • Ideal for: Long term studies with intermittent access, especially if there are several days between access. VAPs are also ideal for studies that require group housing; animals can be housed together without protective jackets since the port is protected under the skin.

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  • Hubs are easy to swab for clean access
  • Luer Injection Valves (LIVs) can be accessed with a slip tip or luer-lok syringe- no needles required
  • Ideal for: Shorter term studies. The catheter externalizes outside of the body and this makes it more vulnerable than a VAP. However, externalized catheters can be easier to use for repeated access studies, even if they are long term, since they can be easily accessed. The Luer option is the common approach for Ear Vein Catheterizations.

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  • 1, 2 and 3 port options available
  • SAI buttons incorporate a smooth barb at the catheter connection- this creates the most reliable catheter-to-button connection
  • Ingrowth cuff promotes fast healing and reduces incidence of seromas
  • Ideal for: CABs can work for short or long term studies and for repeated or intermittent access. However, since these were developed for rodents, the tubing diameter can be too small for high flow or high viscosity solutions. Please note- at this time, SAI is unaware of the use of this tool in rabbit models, but the CAB has been used in ferrets and minipigs with success.

Extension Lines

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The tubing and connectors used in an infusion study might seem like an afterthought, but it's an integral part of the system. We offer options in varying materials so that you can find tubing that is compatible with your compound. Lengths and fittings can be customized for clean and easy connections between the catheter, tether, swivel and pumps.

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  • Micro Flow and High Flow options are available.
  • Lengths from 4" to 60" available, or custom order to suit your system
  • Light shielding tubing option for photosensitive compounds
  • Luer attachment or press fit styles
  • Note: With a tethered system, it's important to chose tubing that is compatible with the stainless steel tether. Some connectors are too large to fit through the inner diameter.

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  • These fluid lines are sized to friction fit with the swivel gauge pin.
  • The opposite connection end terminates with a female luer to connect to any syringe.
  • Standard sizes from 17-25 Gauge
  • Standard Lengths from 12-60"
  • All tubing can be customized to fit your infusion system

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Tubing can be made more funtional with caps, connectors and ports:

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