ACU-206 Animal Blood Collection Sites [PDF] - This procedure has been revised with minor edits which include the removal of tail clip collection route as a common method of blood collection for rats.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 5 of the procedure document.

ACU-207 Animal Blood Volume Sampling Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised with minor edits including the change in timeframe from a 28-day period to a 14-day (two week) period where a single blood sample must not exceed 10% of blood volume.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 4 of the procedure document.

ACU-209 Animal Euthanasia Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised to include multiple edits. Notable edits include:

• Removal of “Anesthetic Overdose, Desiccator Jar/Open Drop” as a recommended euthanasia method. The use of this euthanasia method must be justified and approved by the IACUC before use.
• Addition of “MS222 solutions for tank immersion and injections are acidic and irritating and must be buffered with sodium bicarbonate to a physiologically appropriate pH before use.” “MS-222 stock solutions should be utilized the same day as preparation per vendor recommendation.” “Special handling and preparation of MS222 required because it is a chemical hazard and requires biosafety approval prior to use.”
• Addition of the compassion fatigue resource: AALAS COST OF CARING: RECOGNIZING HUMAN EMOTIONS IN THE CARE OF LABORATORY ANIMALS

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 7 of the procedure document.

ACU-215 Physical Restraint Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised with minor edits. A full list of revisions can be found in Section 6 of the procedure document.

ACU-212 Non-Rodent Mammal Surgical and Post-Operative Care Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised with minor edits which include the following: Change from should to must in “All surgical records must include the following information.” An Anesthesia and Surgical Log has been added to end of the procedure document. Clarification that the animal must be continuously monitored with written observations made at least every 15 minutes until it regains sternal recumbency.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 6. of the procedure document.

ACU-214 Expired Drugs and Medical Materials Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised to include clarifications for how to interpret manufacturer expiration dates, clarifications to ensure the day is included in the preparation and expiration date of dilutions and mixtures, and clarifications that vials of sterile saline and sterile water follow the same expiration guidance as bags of fluids.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 11. of the procedure document.

ACU-217 Sanitizing Equipment for Use with Research Animals Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised to include minor edits.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 7. of the procedure document.

ACU-218 Tumor-Bearing Animal Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised to include the addition of growth charts for two commonly used species and resource link to Charles River Laboratories. The addition of “The use of imaging (IVIS or ultrasound) can be used to determine the overall tumor burden.” has also been added.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 5. of the procedure document.

ACU-006 Assigning Pain and Distress Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised with minor edits. A full list of revisions can be found in Section 6. of the procedure document.

ACU-205 Sterilizing Surgical Materials Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised to include a title change for clarity. More information about chemical sterilization and hot bead sterilization usage.

Methods NOT Acceptable for Sterilization has been added.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 6. of the procedure document.

ACU-210 Genotyping Tissue Collection Procedures [PDF] - This procedure has been revised and Distal Phalanx Biopsy Method (toe clipping) from the procedure.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 6. of the procedure document.

ACU-201 Food and Water Restriction in Research Rodents Procedures [PDF] - This procedure now includes growth charts and linked resources for two commonly used strains of rodents at Drexel University.  It also includes a modified food and water restriction log form template that is available for use. Please note that the form provided is not required to be used and PI's can create their own form. This procedure does outline what information is required to be recorded.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 6. of the procedure document.

ACU-211 Non-Pharmaceutical Grade Agents or Mixtures of Pharmaceuticals (Cocktails) Use Procedures [PDF] - This procedure now includes procedures for the use of non-drugs administered to animals by the parenteral route procedures.

A full list of revisions can be found in Section 6. of the procedure document.

ACU-216 IACUC Policy on the Use of Image or Sound Recordings in Animal Facilities, Research or Teaching Laboratories [PDF] – This policy now includes extra precautions to consider when recording images and sounds in animal facilities, research, or teaching laboratories in response to the 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy.

ACU-003 IACUC Policy for Animal Number Requests [PDF] - This policy now states that mouse (Mus musculus) and rats (Rattus rattus) fetuses greater that embryonic day 16 (E16) must be justified.  This is not a change to current practices; it just was not a highlighted in this document.

ACU-202 IACUC Rodent Breeding Policy [PDF] - This policy was formerly a mouse breeding policy but was updated to a rodent breeding policy to include rats (Rattus rattus). The procedures for submitting monthly in-house birth reports have been updated within the policy. The weaning calendar has been added to the policy document.

Policy for surgery and Post Surgery Care in Rodents [PDF] has been updated to include the following updates to the policy "Postoperatively, the animal should be supplied with supplemental heat and continuously monitored with written observations made at least every 15 minutes until it regains sternal recumbency. For major surgical procedures, administration of warmed subcutaneous fluids may be appropriate. Consulting with a member of the veterinary staff will assist in making this determination.

Prior to performing surgery, the ULAR staff should be notified of any special requirements the animal may have or procedures to follow in the event the animal is found dead or moribund, so that arrangements can be made, and staff can be trained."

All Principal Investigators should have received direct email correspondence from the attending veterinarian stating the new AVMA Euthanasia Requirements [PDF]. The Drexel IACUC Euthanasia Policy [PDF] has also been updated with the specific change of the CO2 flow rate. If your laboratory uses CO2 it is necessary to amend the details of your protocol’s section 25, to the complaint flow rate of 50%, if it is not already done. To do this, simply complete this “pre-filled CO2 amendment form” [DOC] and submit it via this secure form. No need for emails on this one! Thank you for your dedication to compliance!

Pre-Filled Aseptic Technique Amendment [DOC]

Due to the necessity to remain compliant in aseptic technique across all laboratory animal surgeries, the policy for prepping the animal for surgery has been clarified. Please read over the policy and make sure that it matches your laboratory’s current practices, specifically the prep of the animal detailed in section 22bi and page 3 of the IACUC Policy for surgery and care - Rodents [PDF] and/or IACUC Policy for surgery - Nonrodents [PDF].

If the language of your lab’s protocol is not in compliance with the standards set, please use the pre-filled amendment link above and submit it to iacuc@drexel.edu for approval immediately. Please also rewrite any posted SOP’s in your laboratory spaces and educate all personnel on the standards of the policy. For more information please do not hesitate to reach out to animalwelfare@drexel.edu to share any comments, concerns or questions. Again, completed amendment forms are to be sent to iacuc@drexel.edu.