Share thisBuying on price is one way. But if you can answer a few what’s and how’s about your facility caging needs and procedures, you can purchase cages that will last longer plus add value.
For many, selecting the right plastic caging for housing rodents can be a “poly nightmare.” There’s “poly-this type cage” and “poly-that type cage.” And the “poly-that type cage” must be better because it costs 20% more than the “poly-this type cage.” Yet the “poly-that type cage” didn’t last 20% longer because it became cloudy and hazy after only a few times through washing and sterilizing cycles.
So how should you determine what is the right caging to buy for your vivarium? The best answer probably lies in understanding how your cages are used and how they move through your facility… from the animal housing room to washing/sterilizing, to storage and back to holding the animals. Below are some questions to consider that can help you determine which plastic cages may best serve your facility.
Questions to Consider Before You Buy
• First, of course, is how many new plastic cages does your facility need? Do you have an absolute minimum (number of cages) to purchase or is there a budgeted amount to spend?
• What is the budget level or limitation?
• How long does the caging need to last?
• For what type of research are the cages being used?
• Does the study require only a one time or very limited use?
• Does it involve dangerous or toxic materials that need disposal? Or, do the cages just need to last as long as possible?
• How frequently do you changeout cages?
• How is the caging handled throughout your facility? What processes will they go through? For example, how is the soiled bedding removed, by hand or mechanically? How is sticky bedding removed? How are the cages transported and stored? In general, how much does your caging get knocked around in moving it from the animal lab through cleaning and sterilizing and back to the animal room?
• What kind of detergents are used in cleaning? How much alkali does the detergent have, <pH7.0?
• How hot is the water? Is it hard or soft water? Is the rinse cycle sufficient to make sure all residue is removed?
• What chemicals are used to disinfect your plastic cages?
• Will the cages be autoclaved? What are the usual autoclave settings? Are amine corrosion inhibitors added to the central boiler steam supply to protect the pipes? Will the cages be autoclaved with the bedding, feed, and water bottles in them? If so, what type of bedding is used?
• Finally, how will the sterilized cages be stored? How high will they be stacked?