Apparatus for and methods of collecting urine from laboratory animals

An apparatus for collecting urine from a laboratory animal, the apparatus comprising:

• a container of a selected length and width defining a perimeter enclosing a selected area, the container having a chamber for accumulating urine as the urine is passed, the container including a top wall having an opening therethrough and being made of a hard gnaw-resistant material;
• a mounting plate for mounting the container on the abdomen of the animal, the mounting plate having a length and width defining a perimeter enclosing an area no greater than, substantially parallel to and within a perimeter defined by the area of said top wall of the container;
• the plate having an opening therethrough which opening is aligned generally with the animal's urethra, and the plate having a first surface for abutting the abdomen of the animal;
• a layer of permanent adhesive on the first surface for securing the plate to the abdomen of the animal;
• a coupling having first and second parts, the first part being attached to the mounting plate;
• the second part being attached to the container and being positioned at a location spaced from the perimeter of the container a sufficient distance to position the container in substantial overlapping relationship with the mounting plate upon connecting the coupling, whereby the hard container shields the mounting plate, preventing the animal from chewing the mounting plate, and whereby the container can be detached from the mounting plate for emptying.