UT Southwestern IACUC Policy                                                   IACUC # 128

Approval Date:__11/1/06                                                           1 of 1

Use of Analgesics in Laboratory Animals

Rationale
Animal welfare regulations require that procedures involving animals avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animals. If procedures involve more than momentary or slight pain and discomfort to animals, regulations require the appropriate use of sedatives, anesthetics, or analgesics, unless withholding of such agents is scientifically justified in writing and approved by the IACUC.

Policy:
Assessment of pain and distress in animals is difficult and can be subjective. As such, procedures that cause pain or distress in humans should be assumed to cause similar effects in animals, unless the contrary is established.

• Failure to administer analgesics approved in the PI’s protocol is non-compliance.
• The attending veterinarian has the authority to prescribe analgesics as needed.
• Analgesics administered must be listed on the PI’s IACUC approved protocol (unless prescribed by the veterinarian.)
• Investigators should consult ARC veterinarians for assistance in selecting an appropriate analgesic.
  

Applicability
This policy is applicable to all live vertebrate animals used in research.

Exceptions:
Exceptions to the use of analgesics must be scientifically justified in writing and submitted to the IACUC for approval.

Contact Information:

For any additional questions please contact the IACUC Manager at 5-6420.