A custom restraining device for small animals

A full-body restraining device was constructed that permits the short-term recording of physiologic data (respiration, electrocardiogram, arterial blood pressure, and electroencephalogram) in unanesthetized rats. A plaster cast of a freshly killed 160 g rat was made and cut to yield a base and two side pieces. Using the assembled cast as a custom tray, an alginate impression of the rat was taken. Replicas of the cast pieces were then made of plastic. Animals to be tested were anesthetized briefly, placed in the restraining device, and allowed to waken. Results with 400 animals demonstrate the feasibility of recording physiologic data during acute studies in conscious rats.