Facility
Industry-Leading Research Facility
Four Rivers Kennel is located on 180 acres just south of the August A. Busch and Four Rivers Conservation area in rural Missouri. The secluded property boasts 9 technical ponds, a 6 acre duck slough, forested areas, and rolling meadows, perfect for exercising the dogs.
During the day (weather permitting!), the dogs reside in fenced outside airing yards containing automatic waterers, shade, and lots of toys. Social groups within each yard provide enrichment and companionship for all our dogs.
Our three kennel buildings provide individual space for each dog, and contain automatic waterers, floor heat, exhaust fans, and HVAC systems for extreme temperatures. Our older dogs reside in our Senior Center where they receive specialized attention. Other facilities at the kennel include our busy kitchen which preps food bowls for the whole colony each day, whelping facilities, and a bathing station.
Four Rivers Kennel is growing to meet your research needs! We have multiple on site laboratories for specialized analysis.
Laboratories
Our veterinary exam lab is fully stocked to provide the best care for our dogs on site, including a VETSCAN HM5 hematology analyzer and a VETSCAN VS2 chemistry analyzer. This lab also contains a GE Lunar Prodigy dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for body composition, multi probe ultrasound, and stool processing supplies.
Four Rivers Kennel’s immunology and cell culture laboratory has been specifically designed evaluate response to stimuli in vitro, minimizing in vivo risk to our dogs. Equipped with a full cell culture set up, including EVOS M7000 automated florescent microscope, a countess cell counter, and a biosafety cabinet, this lab specializes in assaying, quantifying, and profiling an array of immune signaling, proliferative response, and gut health markers. Multiparametric flow cytometry on an Attune NxT utilizing the newest laser technology allows our laboratory to collect a wide range of immunological data via panels custom designed for clients.
Our analytical chemistry laboratory allows quantification of analytes of interest in a variety of matrixes including breath, serum, and fecal samples. Cutting edge equipment includes a Delta V advantage stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS), UltiMate 3000 ultra-high performance liquid chromatography system, and Thermo Scientific Trace 1310 gas chromatograph coupled with an ISQ 7000 single quadrupole mass spectrometer. Our lab is rapidly expanding our validated methods including short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, isoflavones, and labeled carbon.
Four Rivers Kennel has an Oxymax open circuit indirect calorimetry machine and chamber system to evaluate oxygen and energy metabolism in a variety of different trials including energy expenditure, bioavailability, and metabolic rate. Paired with the IRMS in our analytical chemistry laboratory, we perform indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) studies to assess specific amino acid requirements, and to measure amino acid and protein flux.
Our general laboratory is equipped with Thermo Scientific Varioskan Lux and Luminex Magpix multiplex plate readers, which we use for ELISAs, assays, and multiplex panels measuring various biomarkers including gut health, fecal quality, gastrointestinal hormones, cytokines, inflammatory markers, joint health markers, and more!
We love giving tours! Please contact us to come and view the facility in person.
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