Animal Use on the UIUC Campus
Policies Pertaining to the Care and Use
of Animals in Research and Teaching



Policy on Reporting Morbidity and Mortality in Animals Used in Research and Teaching

Reference(s):

  • Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide), NRC, 1996
  • Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching, FASS, 1999
  • Animal Welfare Regulations, 9 CFR, chapter I, subchapter A
  • U.S. Government Principles for the Care and Use of Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training, 1983

Scope:

This policy applies to all vertebrate animals used in teaching and/or research that are housed in UIUC animal facilities.

Background:

Federal regulations and professional standards mandate that UIUC establish and maintain a program of adequate veterinary care that is directed by UIUC’s Institutional Veterinarian. The program must include daily observation of all animals to assess their health and well-being. A mechanism must be in place to ensure direct and frequent communication so that timely and accurate information on problems of animal health, behavior and well-being is conveyed to the attending veterinarian. This mechanism must ensure that appropriate methods to control, prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries, under the direction of the attending veterinarian, are available 365 days of the year.

Policy:

Animals must be observed at least once daily including weekends and holidays. Signs of illness, injury, abnormal behavior, or unexpected death must be reported to the clinical veterinary service in a timely manner. Individuals charged with performing animal observations, whether members of the animal husbandry or research staffs, are responsible for reporting animal health related problems according to established procedures. The Division of Animal Resources is responsible for establishing standard procedures for reporting animal morbidity and mortality in laboratory animal facilities and laboratories, whereas, reporting procedures for agricultural animal facilities will be as established in the approved herd health plans.


Revision approved: 3/6/01