UT Animal Health Resources and Program
UT RESOURCES FOR ANIMAL CARE [For RESOURCES Page on PHS398 Form or
FACILITIES on SR424 for NIH Proposals] – updated August 2013
The UT animal care program uses the ILAR publication, The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals (National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 2011), as a basis for
operation. The program is accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal
Care International (AAALACI) and is in compliance with all municipal, state and federal laws and regulations
governing animal research. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is constituted with
regard to and is operated in accordance with the USDA and HHS standards and policies. The animal care facility
is a centralized resource called the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR). It is directed by a fulltime veterinarian, Philip Robinson, D.V.M., who is a member of the American College of Zoological Medicine.
DLAR management and staff are responsible for the care, husbandry, and veterinary medicine for all teaching
and research animals housed within the unit.
On the Health Science Campus, the DLAR facilities are centralized in the Health Education Building
with a satellite facility located in the Block Health Science Building. On the Main Campus, the DLAR facilities
are centralized in the Wolfe Hall building with satellite facilities in University Hall, Health and Human Services,
and the Lake Erie Center. DLAR maintains rooms, equipment and trained personnel for the maintenance of most
common laboratory animal species. Cage washing, postmortem, and storage areas are available. Specialized
facilities for survival surgery, intensive care and biohazard containment are available. Microbiological barrier
facilities are available for hazard containment and for protection of rodents from murine pathogens. DLAR
Facilities occupies approximately 39,000 square feet.
UT ANIMAL HEALTH PROGRAM [For SECTION "F" for NIH Proposals]
[Applicants should use the "General" paragraph PLUS all species-specific paragraphs that
apply to a proposal]
GENERAL VETERINARY CARE
Clinical veterinary medicine is an integral aspect of the UT animal resource program. The program is
lead by an ACZM Board Certified veterinarian. All animals are observed daily by investigators, research
technicians and the animal resources staff. Ill animals are managed, treated or euthanized as needed to promote
animal welfare and the research goal. Preventive medicine is emphasized in the clinical medicine program. The
intent is to provide healthy animals for research and to avoid clinical illness. Where feasible, only animals
specifically bred for research are procured. These are from reputable commercial vendors maintaining quality
control programs. Animal health protocols have been written for quarantining and conditioning of all species and
these are formulated with consideration of the vendor source quality. Limited clinical diagnostic capability is
maintained within the animal care department but the UT HSC hospital and outside commercial laboratories are
used to augment them as necessary.
SPECIES-SPECIFIC PARAGRAPHS [Select Only Those That Apply]
Rodents are typically acquired as specific pathogen free (SPF) animals. They are examined on arrival
for clinical appearance and consistency with specifications. Quarantining and conditioning generally consists of
a physiological stabilization period for SPF animals but can be extensive for rodents procured from noncommercial sources. The facility contains both conventional housing and barrier housing systems as determined
by user needs. All rodent rooms are monitored for key bacterial and viral pathogens through a quarterly
surveillance program. Testing is done through serological antibody monitoring by well-known commercial
testing companies.
Zebra fish are acquired from established supplier of high quality, healthy fish. The fish are examined on
arrival for clinical appearance and consistency with specifications and entered into a routine health maintenance
program. Testing is done by submitting fish for histopathology and, if necessary, for bacteriology to a wellknown testing facility.
Rabbits are acquired as specific pathogen free (e.g. Pasteurella) animals. They are examined on arrival
for clinical appearance and consistency with specifications. All rabbits have individual medical records and are
entered into a routine health maintenance program of frequent physical examinations and treatments (e.g. toenail
clipping).
Pigs are acquired from a commercial producer. The producer is a small operator of a farrow to finish
operation with a routine preventative health program. The herd is free of all major swine pathogens. The pigs are
examined on arrival for clinical appearance and consistency with specifications and entered into a routine health
maintenance program. Quarantining and conditioning generally consists of a physiological stabilization period as
appropriate for the intended research.
Cats are acquired from specific pathogen free USDA Class A Dealers. They are examined on arrival for
clinical appearance and consistency with specifications. All cats have individual medical records and are entered
into a routine health maintenance program of frequent physical examinations and treatments. Quarantining and
conditioning generally consists of a physiological stabilization period as appropriate for the intended research.
Dogs are acquired from specific pathogen free USDA Class A Dealers. They are examined on arrival
for clinical appearance and consistency with specifications. All dogs have individual medical records and are
entered into a routine health maintenance program of frequent physical examinations and treatments.
Quarantining and conditioning generally consists of a physiological stabilization period of at least 2 weeks where
parasitic examinations and treatments are performed and vaccinations administered.
Primates are acquired from specific pathogen free (SPF) sources when feasible. Animals of some
specific specifications are not available from SPF sources in which case they are acquired and conditioned as
necessary. They are examined on arrival for clinical appearance and consistency with specifications. All
primates have individual medical records and are entered into a routine health maintenance program of frequent
physical examinations and treatments. Quarantining and conditioning generally consists of a physiological
stabilization period of at least 3 weeks where parasitic examinations and treatments are performed and
tuberculosis testing is done.
Vertebrate Animal Section – EUTHANASIA
[When any method of euthanasia is used, applicants must comply with August 7, 2013 Notice NOT-OD-13-098,
which states that applicants “are required to describe any method of euthanasia to be used and the reasons for
its selection and to state whether the method proposed is consistent with the 2013 AVMA Guidelines. If the
proposed method is not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines, a scientific justification mu st be included in
the VAS.”]
METHOD-SPECIFIC PARAGRAPHS [Select Only The Methods That Apply]
CO2
Carbon dioxide from compressed cylinders is used in specially designed chambers to euthanize groups of small
laboratory animals. The optimal flow rate should displace 10-30% of the chamber volume per minutes. Gas flow
is maintained for at least 1 minute after apparent clinical death. It is important to verify that an animal is dead
before removing it from the chamber. CO2 narcosis must be followed with another method of euthanasia (ex:
exsanguinations, cervical dislocation, bilateral pneumothroax).
The rapid depressant, analgesic effects of CO2 are well established. Carbon dioxide is readily available and can
be purchased in compressed gas cylinders. Carbon dioxide is nonflammable, nonexplosive, and poses minimal
hazard to personnel when used with properly designed equipment.
This method of euthanasia is consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 2013 Edition.
Decapitation
Decapitation can be used to euthanize rodents in research settings. Guillotines that are designed to accomplish
decapitation in rodents in a uniformly instantaneous manner are commercially available. This technique is
conditionally acceptable if performed correctly. The equipment used to perform decapitation must be maintained
in good working order and serviced on a regular basis to ensure sharpness of blades. Personnel who perform
decapitation must be properly trained to do so.
Decapitation is a technique that induces rapid loss of consciousness. It does not chemically contaminate tissues
and it is rapidly accomplished.
This method of euthanasia is consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 2013 Edition.
Injectable Euthanasia Agents
The animals will be injected with a sodium pentobarbital solution (ex: Beuthanasia-D, Nembutal). When
intravenous administration is considered impractical or impossible, intraperitoneal administration is acceptable
provided the drug does not contain neuromuscular blocking agents. Death must be confirmed.
The use of injectable euthanasia agents is the most rapid and reliable method of performing euthanasia. Agents
depress the central nervous system in descending order, beginning with the cerebral cortex, with loss of
consciousness progressing anesthesia. With an overdose, deep anesthesia progresses to apnea, owing to
depression of the respiratory center, followed by cardiac arrest.
This method of euthanasia is consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 2013 Edition.
Anesthesia Followed by Exsanguination or Organ Harvest
The rodents will be anesthetized with a suitable anesthetic followed by exsanguination or organ harvest.
Animals may be exsanguinated to obtain blood products or organs may be collected only when the animal is
adequately anesthetized.
Exsanguination or organ harvest can be used to ensure death in otherwise unconscious animals. This method
allows viable blood or organs to be collected for further evaluation.
This method of euthanasia is consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 2013 Edition.
Anesthesia Followed by Perfusion
The rodents will be anesthetized with a suitable anesthetic followed by perfusion with a fixative (ex:
formaldehyde). A fixative is used to rapidly fix tissues, preserving structure for later study.
Perfusion can be used to ensure death in otherwise unconscious animals. This method allows viable organs to be
collected for further evaluation.
This method of euthanasia is consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 2013 Edition.
Fetuses and Neonatal Euthanasia
The gradual cooling of fetuses and altricial neonates (< 7 days of age) is acceptable with conditions. As cold
surfaces can cause tissue damage and presumably pain, the animals are not allowed to come in direct contact
with ice or pre-cooled surfaces. Death is confirmed by either decapitation or cervical dislocation.
Neonatal animals are relatively resistant to hypoxia.
This method of euthanasia is consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 2013 Edition.
Tricaine Methane Sulfonate (MS 222) - Fish
MS 222 is used for the euthanasia of amphibians and fish. For euthanasia, a concentration > 250 mg/L is
recommended and fish should be left in this solution for at least 10 minutes following cessations of opercular
movement. Death must be confirmed.
The use of MS 222 results in very rapid depression of the central nervous system. It is easily used and is safe for
personnel.
This method of euthanasia is consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 2013 Edition.
Pithing - Frogs
MS 222 is used for the euthanasia of amphibians and fish. For euthanasia, a concentration > 250 mg/L is
recommended and the animal should be left in this solution for at least 10 minutes following cessations of
opercular movement. Pithing is used as an adjunctive procedure to ensure death in the animal.
The use of MS 222 results in very rapid depression of the central nervous system. It is easily used and is safe for
personnel.
This method of euthanasia is consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 2013 Edition.
Other (not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines) _______________
(fill in blank)
Provide justification for using this method here: