Assuring Animal Health, Behavior and Well Being
Appropriate Veterinary Care
In accordance with USDA regulations and animal care policies, providing appropriate veterinary care involves direct and frequent communication between the Lead Researcher and ULAR Veterinarians concerning problems of animal health, behavior and well being.
The use of animals in research, testing or teaching activities occasionally involves serious or unanticipated adverse events that require an evaluation by the Lead Researcher, a ULAR veterinarian and the IACUC. Determining the cause of an adverse event is consistent with providing appropriate veterinary care of animals. Further, the monitoring of unanticipated adverse events can improve procedural outcome(s) and scientific rigor.
Serious or Unanticipated Adverse Events
Adverse events are any unanticipated adverse clinical sign or symptom, including morbidity or mortality of an animal under or as a result of procedures (such as surgery or anesthesia), or the development of pain, discomfort or distress significantly greater than was anticipated by the Lead Researcher as described in the approved protocol narrative. Examples:
- Unanticipated death; high morbidity/mortality rate that may be due to variations in procedures
- Unanticipated injury and debility (e.g., post-surgical debilitation, pain, distress)
- Unusual or high frequency of expected clinical signs
- Any other negative effects that, in the opinion of the Lead Researcher or Veterinary Services, may be related to study procedures.
Assessment and Communication
- Assessment of animal health, behavior and well being, including adverse events, should be performed in consultation with a ULAR Veterinarian. The assessment should include a review the procedure(s) performed and the training and expertise of personnel performing study procedures or caring for the animals. Changes in study design (reduction, refinement or replacement) should also be considered to prevent future occurrences of the event.
- There are times when the performance of a post-mortem examination (necropsy) is a necessary component of appropriate veterinary care. This allows for adequate prevention, control and treatment of disease.
- It is strongly recommended that necropsy be performed for any severe, unusual or recurrent adverse event in any species. Below are circumstances that may warrant performance of a necropsy examination by the Lead Researcher or ULAR Veterinarian:
- A high morbidity/mortality rate
- A significant number of unexplained deaths
- A strong probability of undiagnosed infectious disease (with or without potential zoonoses)
Recommended Procedures
- All problems related to animal health, behavior and well being, including serious or unanticipated adverse events, should be reported immediately to Veterinary Services personnel (824-2218) or a ULAR Veterinarian (824-5271 or 4666).
- If it is determined that a necropsy is indicated, it should done as soon as possible after the death of the animal. If the Lead Researcher cannot perform the necropsy, a ULAR Veterinarian should be notified to perform the necropsy and the carcass should be stored at an appropriate refrigerated temperature to ensure a meaningful examination. ULAR will perform this basic service free of charge to Lead Researchers.
- The IACUC should be informed about issues related to animal health, behavior and well being and serious or unanticipated adverse events. Lead Researchers are required to provide this information at the time of continuing renewal, and encouraged to report events informally to the IACUC as they occur.
