1. Service Units
  2. Research Integrity & Compliance
  3. Animal Research
  4. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
  5. IACUC Approved Policies
  6. Euthanasia of Sick Animals by CCM Veterinary Staff
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    Euthanasia of Sick Animals by CCM Veterinary Staff

    Purpose

    In order to comply with federal regulations (USDA and PHS) and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, UConn Health’s IACUC has established a policy on euthanasia of sick animals by CCM veterinary staff.

    Action

    1. When sick animals are found by animal caretakers (ACT), a sick report is written up and an email is sent to the PI and/or contact individual identified on cage cards.
    2. The CCM Veterinary Services is also cc’d on the e-mail correspondence for their evaluation.
    3. If the animal is displaying signs of humane endpoints as identified in the animal care and use protocol or has a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 2 or less, veterinary staff will send an email to the PI and/or contact individual with recommendation of euthanasia. This may or may not be after consultation with the Attending Veterinarian.  If the recommendation is for euthanasia of the animals, the email will include a due date and time for corrective action to the research staff. The PI must respond by email within 24 hours.  If no response is received, this will be interpreted as consent by the PI to the medical opinion of the veterinary staff as to the disposition of the animal.  The PI will be charged accordingly.
    4. If the veterinary staff identify the same animal during their routine veterinary clinical rounds, they will euthanize the animal and report it to PI and the IACUC.
    5. If the animal is moribund or in severe distress, the Veterinary Services can euthanize the animal immediately and notify the PI/research staff. If the animals are under Death as an Endpoint or EAE studies, they should be posted in the room or identified at cage level to avoid confusion.

    Effective Dates: January 31, 2025 through December 31, 2027

    This policy has been approved by a majority vote of the UConn Health IACUC