Receiving and Quarantine Upon arrival at the ACU animals generally are quarantined for periods ranging from one week to three weeks depending on the species and source of the animals. Rodents are quarantined in their room of destination for one week. Rodents and other animals used for tissue harvesting or other acute, non-survival procedures may be quarantined for shorter periods.
Health Any health problems reported are checked the same day. Every effort is made to contact the researcher to coordinate treatments with research, therefore, it is important for the contact person to be listed on the cage cards. However, the ACU can euthanize animals to eliminate suffering if the Director deems appropriate.
Necropsies can be performed on animals to determine cause of death. A gross necropsy will be done at no charge if requested, and further testing such as bacteriology or histopathology may or may not be charged to the investigator, depending on whether or not the death was iatrogenic.
Surgeries Surgeries on covered species (dogs, cats, rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters and wild animals) must be performed under the direction of the Animal Care Unit Veterinarian in the dedicated surgical facility on the first floor of Malott hall. All survival surgeries (those where the animal wakes up and is kept alive for more than 24 hours) must be performed under aseptic conditions as outlined in the Handbook.
Housing Animals in the Labs Animals housed in the laboratory for more than 12 hours must have justification for this outlined in the protocol, and these labs will be subject to inspection by the IACUC and/or ACU staff. Husbandry regimens for these animals must be posted, as well as checksheets for husbandry.
X-ray facilities A radiographic unit and an automatic film developer are available for investigator's use .
Everyone who operates the radiographic unit must have Category D user certification from the Radiation Safety Service. Radiation Safety issues and monitors film badges which must be worn when using the equipment. Additional safety rules are posted in the X-ray room.
Charges for the use of the automatic film processor is $1.74 per film to cover the cost of maintenance of the unit. Please record your use of this equipment on the chart provided in the room.
Necropsy facilities Necropsy equipment includes a down-draft exhaust necropsy table, refrigerator, and a freezer for storing carcasses to be incinerated.
The necropsy room also contains the carbon-dioxide tank for euthanasia of rodents. Please observe instructions for its use as posted in the room to conserve gas.
Necropsies are performed by the ACU veterinarian as needed or upon investigator request.
Investigators may reserve the room for their use by contacting the Supervisor of Husbandry.
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