UT Southwestern IACUC Policy                                                      IACUC  #  221

Approval Date:__7/23/09____                                                         Page 1 of 1

Large Animal Records 

Rationale:

The Animal Welfare Regulations require that that all animal study areas be inspected (§2.31,c,2). 

Rationale

Recordkeeping is essential for the health and well-being of animals on study.  Animal use records, health records, and surgical records must be kept on all animals as applicable.  Documentation of anesthetics and analgesics given demonstrates compliance with IACUC approved procedures and applicable laws.

Definitions

Animal Use Records record the experimental procedures conducted on animals and are typically maintained by the investigator as part of their experimental data.

Animal Health Records record the health condition of the animal and any treatments administered by the investigator or veterinarians.  Health records are meant to convey necessary information to all people involved in an animal’s care.  The health records are kept in the animal room or in a designated area accessible to the ARC veterinary staff and are usually separate from the animal use records.  The animal health record includes all treatment records, all anesthesia records, surgical records, and records of pre and post-op care.

Surgical Records record specific details about a surgical procedure such as the type of procedure and types of drugs administered to the animal.  The surgical records are kept with the animal health records in the animal room or in an area accessible to veterinary staff.

Large animals are defined as pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, dogs and cats.

Policy

1.   Animal Use Records:

Animal use records may be kept in the laboratory.  They must include the following items.

• The PI Name,
• IACUC approved protocol number, and
• All procedures conducted with dates.

2.   Animal Health Records:

For large animals, these records must be kept on an individual basis.  These records must be accessible to the ARC veterinary staff at all times.  Health records must include the following items:

• the PI Name;
• IACUC approved protocol number;
• examples of procedures which should be adequately documented in health records which include, but are not limited to, vaccinations, fecal examinations, and  radiographs;
• any medical condition an animal is treated for as well as the detailed treatment plan and outcome of the treatments; and
• the date of sacrifice or the final disposition of the animal.

3.   Surgical Records:

For large animals, these records must be kept on an individual basis.  These records must be accessible to the ARC veterinary staff at all times.  The surgeon or assistant must keep records with the following information including signatures:

• IACUC approved protocol number;
• animal(s) identification;
• type of procedure;
• approximate weight of the animal;
• type of anesthetic including dose and route;
• type of analgesic, if given, including dose and route;
• type of antibiotic, if given, including dose and route;
• postoperative monitoring (time, observations, date of clip removal, etc.);
• complications;
• date of surgery;
• observations of adverse events made by anesthetists must be recorded on the anesthesia/surgery log sheet; and
• all reports of morbidity must be followed up by the veterinarian and documented in the animal health record.

Applicability

This policy is applicable to all large animals used in research and training.

Contact Information:

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