Directions for Using the Animal Monitoring Plan and the Animal Observation Record
The KSU IACUC is required to ensure that animals undergoing research or teaching procedures
are appropriately monitored during the recovery period and that pain relief and veterinary care
are available to all animals if needed. The AMP and AOR forms are designed to take the place of
the Pain and Distress (P&D) forms that have been utilized in the past by KSU researchers. The
AMP form is completed as a part of the protocol application. Since the KSU IACUC and other
organizations (i.e. USDA, AAALAC) may follow up on compliance with this requirement, you
should maintain these records with your study records after the end of the research project.
I.
Animal Monitoring Plan (AMP)
This form is intended to describe how you plan to monitor your animals after an experimental
procedure has been performed and describe what actions will be taken if an animal develops
an unintended complication as a result of the procedure. Additional information such as drugs
that will be administered to the animals (i.e. pain relievers, antibiotics, IV fluids, etc.) should be
listed on the form as well.
a. The AMP must be posted with the animals or at the approved location at all times
(noted in the protocol, section VI.H.3).
b. All fields in the information box at the top of the form must be completed (protocol
number, principal investigator (PI), PI contact number, animal or group
identification, species, animal location, the procedure performed, and the date the
procedure was performed).
c. The Animal Monitoring Plan should include the following:
i. Post-Procedure Care (I)
1. List all drugs and medications to be administered. Include the drug,
dose, route, and frequency.
2. List any post-procedure care to be performed (i.e. catheter flush,
bandage change, etc.) and the frequency.
ii. Observations (II)
1. The observation frequency must be recorded.
2. Write when the animal will be returned to its cage or pen. If recovery
from anesthetics will occur, list what criteria should be met (i.e. able
to stand, able to sit in a sternal position, able to maintain normal
body temperature, etc.) before the animal may return to its cage or
pen.
3. List all parameters to be monitored and recorded.
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4. List how the parameter should be recorded and the acceptable
normal range if applicable. A list of standard abbreviations is available
at the KSU IACUC website.
5. List what action and/or treatment is needed if the parameter is
abnormal or if the condition of the animal warrants action.
iii. Contact Information (III)
1. List contact information for the PI, co-investigators, and the
responsible veterinarian for animal care.
II.
Animal Observation Record (AOR)
This form is used to record animal observations and describe any actions or treatments
provided to the animal.
a. All fields in the information box at the top of the form must be completed (protocol
number, principal investigator (PI), PI contact number, animal or group
identification, species, animal location, the procedure performed, and the date the
procedure was performed).
b. Each entry on the AOR must include the date, time and the initials of the observer.
c. The AOR may be utilized for an individual animal or for a group of animals. The
animal or group of animals must be properly identified in the information box at the
top of the page.
d. If you are using the AOR for a group of animals an entry for each individual animal is
not necessary. An example would be if you are observing a group of pigs. You would
note any abnormalities experienced by an individual pig and then note that all the
other pigs being observed are “okay” under the same date/time entry.
e. A recorded observation or action may be written on a single line or it may require
more than one line. Either is acceptable as long as the pertinent information is
recorded and the date, time and observer initials are noted.
f. If you will be conducting the same procedure multiple times you may record
observations from different days on the same AOR form. This would be most
appropriate for simple procedure that will be performed on multiple days, such as
retro-orbital bleeding of mice.
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