UT Southwestern IACUC Policy IACUC # 111
Approval Date:___3/1/06______ 1 of 1
Acclimation Periods for Laboratory Animals
Rationale:
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requires an acclimation period for all animals arriving at UT Southwestern. An acclimation period allows animals time to stabilize in a new environment for reproducible experimental results.
Policy:
All newly received laboratory animals must be held for a minimum number of days (depending on the species) without any experimental manipulation for acclimation, observation, and treatment. For terminal procedures, the required acclimation period is shorter.
Applicability:
This policy applies to all laboratory animal species.
Exceptions:
Exceptions to the Acclimation Periods for Laboratory Animals policy require a written request and subsequent approval by the IACUC or the attending veterinarian.
Instructions:
Minimum acclimation requirements:
| Species |
Days required for acclimation before survival procedures |
Days required for acclimation before terminal procedures |
| Mice |
3 |
0 |
| Rats |
3 |
0 |
| Hamsters |
3 |
0 |
| Gerbils |
3 |
0 |
| Guinea Pigs |
3 |
2 |
| Chinchillas |
3 |
2 |
| Frogs |
3 |
2 |
| Rabbits |
3 |
2 |
| Goats |
3 |
2 |
| Sheep |
3 |
2 |
| Pigs |
3 |
2 |
| Cats |
3 |
2 |
| Dogs |
3 |
2 |
| Other Species |
Contact ARC Veterinarians |
Contact ARC Veterinarians |
Contact Information:
For any additional questions please contact the IACUC Manager at 5-6420.
