|
 Woodchucks
The woodchuck (Marmota monax) has proven to be an
invaluable animal model of human disease. Northeastern Wildlife's
woodchucks are used for pre-clinical studies for compounds active
against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) and
for hibernation research.
Captive-Born
Woodchucks
Northeastern Wildlife established
the first commercial colony of captive-born, bred and infected
woodchucks for WHV studies. The positives of using captive born
woodchucks are obvious: the infectious virus pool is known, the
age at which they were infected is known, and environmental factors
are controlled. Captive-born animals are innoculated at three
days of age and are available at six months of age. The problem
inherent with using animals at three to six months of age is natural
sero-conversion of antigenemic animals . Whenever performing an
anti-viral strategy utilizing woodchucks, you want to be sure
they are chronic carriers or you will jeopardize your study, losing
time and money. We will sell infected juveniles prior to three
months of age but will not guarantee their serological status
past two weeks. Prices depend upon serological status and age.
Please inquire for more information.
Wild-Caught
Woodchucks
Wild-caught woodchucks are by far our most utilized
animals. To assess the initial efficacy of a new anti-HBV compound
in-vivo, it is usually much more cost- effective to use wild-caught
animals as these are more available and less expensive than captive-
born and infected animals.
Our wild-caught woodchucks are live trapped by our
personnel in both WHV antigenemic areas and traditionally WHV
clean areas for negative control animals. After capture, an initial
accession occurs where a basic health inspection is completed
and a blood sample taken to assess their serological state. Woodchucks
are isolated based on if they come from an area sero-negative
or sero-positive for WHV. Animals testing positive for WHV have
a second blood sample taken 30-45 days after initial testing to
confirm their serological status. WHV positive animals liver enzymes
are also tested to assess presence of hepatocellular carcinoma
(HCC). Northeastern Wildlife provides WHV positive woodchucks,
WHV negative or clean woodchucks and WHV recovered woodchucks.
Health and serology are guaranteed for thirty days after shipping.
Please inquire for more information regarding price and availability.
Woodchucks with Hepatocellular
Carcinoma (HCC)
We receive many requests for woodchucks in the advanced
stages of liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These
animals are provided on a first-come first-served basis. Please
inquire for more information regarding price and availability.
 Oppossum
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginianis) has
been used extensively since the late sixties for the study of
human disease. The opossum is an excellent animal model for the
study of Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) dysfunction and induced
pancreatitis. The virginia opossum is North America's only marsupial.
Young are born 13 days post conception and continue their development
in the female's pouch. Because pouch young are easily available
and observed, they make an excellent model for the study of neo-natal
development.
Northeastern Wildlife's opossums are wild-caught.
After capture, they are accessioned and acclimated to the laboratory.
Opossums are scavengers and are thus heavily parasitized. Opossums
receive two doses of Ivomec and Panacur, two weeks apart. Opossums
are also chronic carriers of Salmonella spp. Please inquire as
to cost.
|
