IACUC Ongoing Training
Dr. Wildcat is working with a new genetically modified mouse line. The lab has noticed when mice from this line are startled or stressed seizure activity ensues. Upon looking at the vendor description of the line, seizures are noted as a rare phenotypical expression. What course of action must the Wildcat lab take?
- Nothing, the mice are fine.
- A general description of the expected phenotype must be documented via the Pink Card and maintained at the cage-side level and the Animal Study Protocol (ASP) updated to reflect the expected phenotypical expression and supportive care plan (if applicable).
- Treatment and/or supportive care details must be captured via the Pink Card and maintained at the cage-side level.
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Dr. Wildcat is working with a new genetically modified mouse line. The lab has noticed when mice from this line are startled or stressed seizure activity ensues. Upon looking at the vendor description of the line, seizures are noted as a rare phenotypical expression. What course of action must the Wildcat lab take?
- Nothing, the mice are fine.
- A general description of the expected phenotype must be documented via the Pink Card and maintained at the cage-side level and the Animal Study Protocol (ASP) updated to reflect the expected phenotypical expression and supportive care plan (if applicable).
- Treatment and/or supportive care details must be captured via the Pink Card and maintained at the cage-side level.
Learner Feedback: The correct answer is “2.” Per The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (The Guide), “Medical records are a key element of the veterinary care program and are considered critical for documenting animal well-being as well as tracking animal care and use at a facility.” The Policy on Medical Records for Rodents specifies that non-surgical experimentally induced health conditions or disease models (i.e., conditions caused by experimental manipulation) that are expected must have a general description of the model identified on an Investigator Rodent Health Record (“Pink Card”) at the cage level by research personnel.
Examples of non-surgical experimentally induced health conditions or disease models include rectal prolapse, induction of hind limb paralysis, and genetically engineered models needing chronic treatment or supportive care. Lab personnel must follow the care and monitoring described in the approved ASP and should maintain clinical care monitoring for non-surgical experimentally induced diseases in lab notes or via Pink Card. Answer “C” is only incorrect if your Animal Study Protocol (ASP) does not include that additional animal documentation will be maintained at the cage-side level via Pink Card. Refer to your ASP for documentation guidance. Please note that laboratory documents may be requested for review by various regulatory agencies, IACUC members, and/or CCM personnel.