Soft-Feed and Oral Hydration Support Options (Informational Sheet)

OAR Informational Sheet - Soft-Feed and Oral Hydration Support Options

Informational Sheet: The IACUC has provided a set of guidance documents (Policies, Guidelines, and Informational Sheets) for use when planning animal procedures at the University of Iowa. Informational Sheets provide information about frequently asked questions and represents guidance for best practices. Deviation from the recommendation(s) does not require specific justification.

Purpose: The purpose of this document is to provide labs with adequate information needed to supplement mice with NapaNectar or Diet Gel.

Some mice require additional nutritional or hydration support, especially small new weanlings, debilitated mice, paralysis models, post-operative mice, craniofacial abnormality mice or others that have challenges in reaching the water valve or feed.

OAR encourages the use of two products: NapaNectar and Diet Gel 31M. Information about these products is summarized below. Note: DietGel 31M is formulated in the same way as our “standard” diet: https://www.envigo.com/resources/data-sheets/7013-datasheet-0915.pdf

Uses for these products:

- As part of routine post-operative care or phenotype management as described in the Animal Protocol
  - If you need assistance with this, please email iacuc@uiowa.edu.
- As part of the care of new weanlings in accordance with new weanling guidance. See https://animal.research.uiowa.edu/investigator-guidance-monitoring-and-managing-new-weanling-mice
  - Labs should obtain their own supply and describe it in the Animal Protocol if mouse strains consistently need this support
In consultation with an OAR veterinarian on a case-by-case basis for cage level treatment of animal health issues

If you need assistance in obtaining or using these products, please contact your facility supervisor, veterinary technician or email OAR-Veterinarian@uiowa.edu. These products are stored at room temperature.

	NapaNectar	DietGel 31M
Support provided	Gel-like sterile water source	Softened, complete nutrition, formulated similar to 7913 (OAR standard diet)
Mouse condition	Needs additional hydration	Small weanling, debilitated mouse, paralysis, post-operative recovery, etc.
Mice on special diet need additional hydration?	Use this!	Don’t use this.
How much to feed?	½ bag for up to 3-5 mice	1 cup for up to 5 mice
How often to check mice after placement?	Check mice daily or more frequently per approved AP	Check mice daily or more frequently per approved AP
How often to replace?	As needed, usually every 3-4 days	As needed, usually every 3-4 days
Cost per packet (UIowa drug order)	$3.20 per pouch*	$2.09 per cup*
Cost per case (if purchasing directly)	$123.08 for case of 50*	$154.00 for case of 96*