SUPPORT PROTOCOL 4: Visual Assessment of Arthritis Severity

1. Hold the mouse (or rat) in a position that allows examination of the paws.

2. Examine each paw from the ankle through the digits and assign pathology score of 0 to 4 according to Table 15.5.3.

3. Repeat scoring of paws two to three times a week.

Avoid excessive handling of the animals, as this can reduce the severity or incidence of arthritis.