Monitoring and Documentation of Animals at Risk for Morbidity and Mortality
Type
PolicyPolicy
All animals must be observed at least once daily by trained individuals who are familiar with the species unless specific exception has been granted by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Observations must be documented daily. The documentation must be readily available to the IACUC and veterinary staff as well as regulatory inspectors.
Scope
This policy applies to all vertebrate animals used in teaching and/or research that are housed in University of Illinois animal facilities.
Background
In accordance with federal regulations and professional standards, UIUC has established a program of veterinary care directed by the attending veterinarians. The program includes daily observation of all animals to assess their health and well-being. Mechanisms for direct and frequent communication ensure that timely and accurate information on problems of animal health, behavior, and well-being is conveyed to the attending veterinarians allowing them to respond effectively to control, prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries.
Responsibilities
Individuals charged with observing the animals, whether members of the animal husbandry or research staff, are responsible for reporting animal health- or welfare-related problems according to established procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, spontaneous illnesses and unexpected deaths.
The Animal Care Program for Laboratory Animals (ACP-LAB, formerly DAR) is responsible for establishing standard procedures for reporting animal morbidity and mortality in laboratory animal facilities and laboratories.
The Animal Care Program for Agricultural Animals (ACP-AG, formerly AACUP) is responsible for establishing standard procedures for reporting animal morbidity and mortality in agricultural animal facilities.