Rodent Euthanasia
Effective September 24, 2008, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Department of Animal Resources are implementing the following policies for rodent euthanasia.
Rodent Euthanasia Procedures
The Department of Animal Resources staff members will perform euthanasia of all rodents. Exceptions to this are in cases were specific tissues are to be collected following death or when the euthanasia methods are specific to the laboratory research methodology (for example, perfusion fixation under anesthesia). Routine euthanasia of rodents that are not to be used for collection of tissues and euthanasia by methods such as carbon dioxide exposure followed by a secondary method such as cervical dislocation will now be performed by Department of Animal Resources staff members only. The most common example of rodents in this category are excess animals produced from breeding colonies.
Procedures to Request Rodent Euthanasia
Complete a
Euthanasia Request Form and submit it to the Department of Animal Resources in the facility in which the animals are housed or to the Animal Resources Director's office. Additional forms are available in each animal housing facility. Staff members requesting euthanasia must complete the request form and place a sticker on the cage card(s) for animals to be euthanized.
Competency Evaluation of Personnel Performing Euthanasia
Competency evaluation is now required for all personnel who perform euthanasia. An Animal Resources veterinary staff member will insure competency evaluation of the methods used. Laboratory staff members using animal facility carbon dioxide chambers and carcass disposal freezers must sign in on log sheets when they have euthanized rodents and placed them in these freezers. A member of the Animal Resources staff will contact these individuals to observe the methods used and insure competency. Newly trained individuals taking the online training courses for animal users will receive training and competency evaluation following completion of the online courses if rodent euthanasia will be part of their laboratory duties. In addition, if you would like to have your staff members evaluated for competency individually or as a group, you may contact the
contact the DAR and ask for an appointment with a veterinarian.
Charges
There are no charges for rodent euthanasia or for training and competency evaluation.
Questions
Please feel free to contact the DAR if you have any questions regarding animal euthanasia procedures.
