Cage labeling/signage within Animal Science Center animal facilities
Problem Logs
Each animal room has a Problem Log posted on the door outside the room. The following types of events are recorded on the Problem Log:
Dead animals/pups
Sick animals
Overcrowded cages (O/C)
Miscellaneous problems, e.g., cage floods
The date, name of principal investigator, rack number, nature of the problem, person reporting the problem, and person addressing the problem are recorded on the log. Investigator staff can therefore find out about problems before entering the room. The Problem Log also produces a permanent written record that may help in identifying a pattern of problems (e.g., unexpected numbers of pup deaths may indicate a disease outbreak).
Standard Cage Card (White)
This is standard, primary cage card attached to all animal cages. The card has fields for input of all relevent and required information based on IACUC and ASC specification. The card is white in color versus color coded for other specialized cage cards. A unique identification # (cage card number) is issued for cage tracking and identification. The BUASC issues pre-printed, unique ID #, data-field completed for all animals ordered and received at ASC. Blank template cards are available within each animal room for use by researchers when additional cages of animals are created, separated, sorted, etc.
These cards are placed by the ASC staff when a new litter is noted. Unless prior arrangements have been made, litters must be weaned at 21 days of age. The ASC staff makes an effort to leave cages with new litters undisturbed for the first seven days; however, excessively wet cages will still be changed.
Problem Notification Cards (Neon Green)
These cards are used to notify investigator staff of overcrowded cages. Investigator staff are responsible for correcting overcrowded cages within 48 hours. Uncorrected cages will be separated by ASC for a fee, and new cages will be marked with neon green separation stickers.
Health Problem Notification Cards (Red)
Following the veterinary examination, the veterinary staff member places a red ASC Veterinary Services examined card on the cages containing a sick animal. Veterinary staff will contact researchers by phone or email to discuss sick animals. If investigators find and sacrifice sick animals prior to their being seen by the veterinary staff, we would appreciate it if they would initial the “problem addressed by” column on the Problem Log.
These cards should be placed by the investigator staff to notify ASC that animals have had a procedure (e.g., an anesthetic episode, surgery). Blue Animal Under Observation Cards will be replaced by the veterinary staff with a RED Veterinary Examination card when an animal is being monitored or treated for a health problem.
Dead Animal Cards (Purple)
These cage cards are labeled with the date and a unique six-digit dead animal ID number. A matching Dead Animal Card with the date and dead animal ID number is placed on the bagged carcass of the dead animal. Dead animals are retained in the cold room for three to four days. If there are no live animals left in the cage, the cage cards will be placed in the Dead Animal Card folder on the door of the room.
Special Care Instruction Cards (Yellow)
Yellow Special Care Instruction Cards should be used whenever any variation of standard husbandry is needed (e.g., fasting an animal, special diet, medicated feed). The card must be filled out completely, including a start and end date.
This is a temporary protocol to which animals are assigned at such time as the existing research protocol has expired, not been approved, or other special instance. Animals assigned to the ASC Holding Protocol can not be used for ANY research manipulations, including breeding. Researchers have no access to these animals and any/all animal care and critical manipulations are performed by ASC and IACUC direction.
