The Latest
This page highlights some of the newest lab animal compliance topics, that may or may not require changes to current practices and procedures. These notices are important for the lab animal researchers of Drexel University. Stay in the know and visit often!
IACUC Procedures Updates
September 17, 2024 ACU-001 IACUC Procedure Manual 2024
ACU-001 IACUC Procedure Manual 2024 [PDF] - This procedure has been revised with minor edits which include Addition of guidance for new president IO designation, update procedures to align with DragonSPOT (e.g. Animal Order procedures), and removal of Continuing Review Procedures.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 20 of the procedure document.
September 17,2024 ACU-002 IACUC Member Training and Continuing Education Procedures
ACU-002 IACUC Member Training and Continuing Education Procedures 2024 [PDF] -This procedure has been revised with minor edits.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 8 of the procedure document.
September 17, 2024 ACU-004 IACUC DMR Procedures
ACU-004 IACUC DMR Procedures 2024 [PDF] - This procedure has been revised to include minor procedural changes to align with the use of an electronic protocol system.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 4 of the procedure document.
September 17, 2024 ACU-005 Wildlife and Field Studies Procedures
ACU-005 Wildlife and Field Studies Procedures 2024 [PDF] - This procedure has been revised with minor edits which include the following: Addition of what is covered under the Certification of Scientific Exchange (COSE), Addition of clear semiannual inspection requirements for AWA-regulated species and PHS Policy regulated species, Addition of the Guidance on Flexibilities for Conducting Semiannual Inspections of Animal Facilities.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 6 of the procedure document.
September 17, 2024 ACU-007 Investigating AWC & NC Activities
ACU-007 Investigating AWC & NC Activities 2024 [PDF] - This procedure has been revised to include the addition of adverse events and non-compliance definitions, addition of criteria for reporting to AAALAC, and addition of criteria for reporting to DoD.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 10 of the procedure document.
September 17, 2024 ACU-008 IACUC VVC Procedures
ACU-008 IACUC VVC Procedures 2024 [PDF] -This procedure has been revised to include minor edits.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 4 of the procedure document.
September 17, 2024 ACU-203 Animal Enrichment
ACU-203 Animal Enrichment 2024 [PDF] - This procedure has been revised to remove enrichment criteria for cats.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 4 of the procedure document.
September 17, 2024 ACU-204 Transport of Animals
ACU-204 Transport of Animals 2024 [PDF] - This procedure has been revised with minor edits.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 4 of the procedure document.
September 17, 2024 ACU-208 IACUC Dosing Volume
ACU-208 IACUC Dosing Volume 2024 [PDF] -This procedure has been revised with minor edits which include the removal of cat dosing volumes.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 6 of the procedure document.
September 17, 2024 ACU-219 IACUC Veterinary Formulary
ACU-219 IACUC Veterinary Formulary 2024 [PDF] - This procedure has been revised with minor edits which now lists xylazine as a controlled substance and includes the removal of the cat formulary.A full list of revisions can be found in Section 9 of the procedure document.
June 26, 2024 ACU-206 Animal Blood Collection Sites
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.
June 26, 2024 ACU-207 Animal Blood Volume Sampling Procedures
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.
June 26, 2024 ACU-209 Animal Euthanasia Procedures
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.
June 26, 2024 ACU-215 Physical Restraint Procedures
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.
May 22, 2024 ACU-212 Non-Rodent Mammal Surgical and Post-Operative Care Procedures
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.
May 22, 2024 ACU-214 Expired Drugs and Medical Materials Procedures
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.
May 22, 2024 ACU-217 Sanitizing Equipment for Use with Research Animals Procedures
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.
May 22, 2024 ACU-218 Tumor-Bearing Animal Procedures
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.
April 24, 2024 ACU-006 Assigning Pain and Distress Procedures
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.
April 24, 2024 ACU-205 Sterilizing Surgical Materials Procedures
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.
April 24, 2024 ACU-210 Genotyping Tissue Collection Procedures
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.
April 9, 2024 IACUC Food and Water Restriction Procedures
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.
April 9, 2024 IACUC Non-Pharmaceutical Grade Agents or Mixtures of Pharmaceuticals (Cocktails) Use Procedures
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.
June 14, 2023 IACUC Policy on the Use of Image or Sound Recordings in Animal Facilities, Research or Teaching Laboratories
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.
May 22, 2023 IACUC Policy for Animal Number Justifications
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 highlighted in this document.
May 22, 2023 IACUC Rodent Breeding Policy
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.
October 22, 2022: Policy for Surgery and Post Surgery Care in Rodents
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."
PLEASE NOTE: New protocols and renewals must adhere to these standards as well. Proactively include these details in your protocol prior to submission to the IACUC for approval, to expedite your protocol’s review process.