Housing
Laboratory and biomedical research animal housing will meet the standards set forth in The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Housing for farm animals used in non biomedical research and teaching will meet the standards in the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agriculture Research and Teaching.
Cage Sizes for
Animals in Isolation Cages
The IACUC has established the following guidelines for cage
sizes for animals in isolators.
For pigs, the cages must be at least one (1) inch wider than the pig is tall; three (3) inches (exclusive of feeder space) longer than the length of the pig from the end of the nose to the base of the tail; and two (2) inches taller than the pig in his normal standing posture.
For calves, the cage must be at least six (6) inches wider than the calf at the widest point of the pelvic bones; and ten (10) inches longer than the calf from the tip of his/her nose to the base of his/her tail; and six (6) inches taller than the calf in normal standing posture.
For lambs, the cages must be at least three (3) inches wider than the lamb at the widest point; six (6) inches longer than the lamb from the tip of his/her nose to the base of his/her tail; and four (4) inches taller than the lamb in normal standing posture.
Ventilation must be adequate to provide circulation within the cage. The temperature and humidity within the cage must follow the ranges found in the Guide for The Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching.
If animals will be kept in a restricted environment for more than three weeks, justification must be presented to the IACUC in the protocol submission in writing for approval for each project.
Bedding
In general, bedding should be used in amounts sufficient to
keep animals clean and dry between periods of cleaning.
Bedding to be used should be appropriate for the animal species, cage type, and research protocol. Bedding should be absorbent, free of toxic chemicals or materials that could injure personnel or animals, and of a type not readily eaten by animals.
Cedar and pine bedding materials are a source of aromatic hydrocarbons that can cause damage to the liver enzymes. Their use should be avoided. Bedding should be stored in a clean room and up off the floor. Vermin should not have access to stored bedding.
Feed for Animals Used in
Research and Teaching
Animals should be fed a palatable, nutritionally adequate diet
according to their particular requirements unless the research
protocol requires otherwise. Units for feeding shall allow
easy access to feed, while minimizing contamination by urine
and feces. Quality feed should be available in quantities sufficient
to ensure normal growth in immature animals and maintenance
of normal body weight, reproduction, and lactation in adults.
The choice of diet will depend on animal requirements and experimental
objectives. Feed for animals housed in confinement, must be
maintained in enclosed storage containers. All animals will
receive their feed in an appropriate feeding device (bowls,
feed through or feeder attached to the wall). Under no circumstances
will food be placed directly on the floor where animals urinate
and deficate. Feeding equipment (feeders) will be cleaned,
sanitized and rinsed free of sanitizing chemicals daily. Vermin
should not have access to any of the feed.
Numerous factors are involved in supplying feed containing adequate nutrients including:
- formulation and preparation
- quality assurance freedom from chemical and microbial contaminants
- bioavailability of nutrients
- palatability
- methods of milling, storing, and transporting.
Managers of animal facilities must be judicious in purchasing, transporting, storing and handling feed to ensure that diseases, parasites, potential disease vectors or chemical contaminants are not introduced into the feed supply.
In general, animal diets should not be manufactured or stored in facilities used for farm feeds or any products containing additives such as pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, fumigants, or other potential toxicants. Feeds with the above listed attitives must be clearly labeled. Areas in which diets are processed or stored should be kept clean and enclosed to prevent entry of insects or other vermin. Additional precautions should be taken with perishable items because they are potential sources of biological and chemical contamination. Perishable items are to be stored in a refriderator.
Certain precautions should be taken to avoid receiving unsatisfactory feed shipments. Reliable manufacturers put the milling date on each bag, either directly or in codes. Codes should be requested from the feed supplier in order to identify and reject any stale feed. Diets for rabbits, rats, mice, and hamsters should not be used after 180 days from milling. Because vitamin C deteriorates rapidly, guinea pigs and primate feed should not be used after 90 days from the milling date. Shipments received in damaged condition, such as with a torn bag or with signs of stains or discoloration, should be rejected.
Feed must be rotated to allow older feed to be used first. Shelf life is not determined by time alone; handling and storage conditions are also factors to be considered. Stale feed or feed transported and stored inappropriately can become deficient in nutrients. Exposure to temperatures above 21 degrees Celsius (70 F), extremes in relative humidity, unsanitary conditions, light, oxygen, and insects hasten the deterioration of food. Refrigeration preserves nutritional quality and lengthens shelf life; nonetheless, feed storage time must be reduced to the lowest practical minimum and recommendations of the manufacturer heeded. Purified and chemically defined diets are less stable than natural ingredient diets and may have a shorter shelf life. These diets should be stored at 4 C or colder.
Autoclavable diets require adjustments in nutrient concentrations, kinds of ingredients, and methods of preparation to withstand degradation during sterilization. The date of sterilization must be recorded and the diet used within a month of sterilization..
Bulk feed supplies should be stored in designated, restricted access areas that are cool, dry, clean, and free of vermin and potential contaminants. Feed must be stored off the floor, perishable items must be refrigerated, and feed containers must be stored in a way to prevent entry of vermin. Feed containers should not be transported from room to room, and should be cleaned and disinfected every time they are emptied. The best practice is to use a clean plastic liner whenever a new bag of feed is to be added.
Water
According to their particular requirements, animals should
have continuous access to fresh, potable, drinking water.
Water may be restricted for short periods (up to 12 hours)
prior to surgery if necessary. Generally, tap water will
suffice. Some research protocols may require highly purified
water. Water systems need to be checked for bacterial and
algae contamination, chlorine and fluoride levels.
Watering devices, such as drinking tubes and automatic waterers, should be examined daily to ensure proper operation. Automatic waterers should be flushed 1-3 times daily to prevent water from becoming stagnant. It is better to replace water bottles with sanitized bottles of fresh water rather than to refill them.
Sometimes it is necessary to train animals to use automatic watering devices. This is routinely done by allowing the device to drip slowly during the training period.
