Policy for Euthanasia by the Veterinary Staff
To establish a standard procedure for euthanasia of a laboratory animal by ULAM veterinary staff when it is determined that euthanasia is the most humane treatment. Information is also provided on the appropriate means to communicate with laboratories regarding specific animal cases.
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Background
Euthanasia may be planned and necessary at the end of a protocol or as a means to relieve pain or distress that cannot be alleviated by analgesics, sedatives, or other treatments.
As outlined in the University of Michigan's End-Stage Illness Scoring System, any moribund animal is "considered to have end-stage illness and should be euthanized immediately." Additionally, animals that display a debilitating physical state should also be considered for euthanasia; examples include but are not limited to severe fight wounds, dystocia, injury or severe dermatitis. -
Responsibility
- It is the responsibility of all individuals directly involved in animal research to consider and provide for the welfare of laboratory animals.
- It is the responsibility of all ULAM veterinary personnel and University laboratory personnel to work in concert to minimize the pain and distress.
- ULAM veterinary staff must adequately communicate with laboratory personnel on actions or treatments that may influence research results.
- Laboratory personnel must communicate with ULAM veterinary staff to facilitate the provision of adequate and humane veterinary care.
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Glossary Definitions
Euthanasia
Term used to describe ending the life of an individual animal in a way that minimizes or eliminates pain and distress.
Related Terms:Euthanasia ChamberMoribund
A severely debilitated state that precedes imminent death.
Special Treatment or Procedure (SToP) Form
A form that indicates special procedure differing from standard operating procedure (SOP). These are typically placed on the inside of the animal room door. See Request for Special Treatment or Procedure (SToP) Form for more information.
Euthanasia Notification
A special treatment or procedure in which the laboratory personnel would like to be contacted prior to euthanasia of a moribund animal.
Death Notification
A special treatment or procedure in which the laboratory personnel would like to be contacted after an animal is found dead or euthanized by ULAM staff.
Veterinary Personnel
All ULAM veterinary technicians, veterinary residents, and faculty veterinarians.
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Procedures
1. Euthanasia for Reasons Other Than Morbundity
- If the veterinary staff observe an animal that requires euthanasia, the lab contact or principal investigator will be notified via phone and/or email. The message conveyed will include the room number, cage location, building, reason why euthanasia is required, and date and time by which the animal must be euthanized. It should also be stated that if not completed by this set time, veterinary staff will euthanize the animal.
- Laboratory personnel can contact the veterinary staff to further discuss recommendations and or treatment prior to euthanasia. Based upon the animal's condition, the veterinary staff may extend the euthanasia deadline.
- Once the predetermined date and time for euthanasia has expired, the veterinary staff will perform a follow up visit to ensure the animal was euthanized. If the animal was not euthanized by this time, the veterinary staff will euthanize the animal and recharge the principal investigator based on standard rates (See Standard Charging Procedures for Veterinary Services).
2. Euthanasia of Moribund Animals
- Unless other arrangements have been formalized through a ULAM Special Treatment or Procedure Form (See Request for Special Treatment or Procedure (SToP) Form), all animals identified to be moribund by ULAM veterinary staff will be immediately euthanized and noted on the death log located within the housing room, if present.
3. Documenting Euthanasia
- All cases of euthanasia will be noted on the appropriate cage card and the death log located within the animal housing room, if present. If the animal euthanized is the last in the cage, the veterinary staff will mark the date of euthanasia on the cage card and place the cage card in the deactivation box. The animal carcass will be labeled with the lab, date, and ear tag number (if applicable), and put in the designated carcass cooler for that area in a bin labeled with the date. The animal carcass will be kept for 72 hours and then discarded.
4. Involvement of Veterinary Residents or Veterinary Faculty
- If an agreement between the veterinary technician and the laboratory personnel cannot be reached, the veterinary residents and/or faculty veterinarians must be contacted for further consultation.
5. Euthanasia Notification
- If an investigator would like to be notified prior to euthanasia of a moribund animal, the responsible laboratory personnel must submit a Special Treatment or Procedure form (See Request for Special Treatment or Procedure (SToP) Form). All pertinent contacts (names, phone numbers, email addresses) including weekend and holiday contact information must be listed. The veterinary staff will make a reasonable effort to contact the appropriate person(s) prior to euthanasia.
- Veterinary staff will either euthanize the animal per instruction from the responsible laboratory personnel or indicate the time by which the animal must be euthanized by the lab.
- If no one can be reached immediately or the animal has not been euthanized by the set time, the veterinary staff will euthanize the animal, notify the responsible lab person via email or voice mail of the action taken and the location of the carcass. The euthanasia will also be recorded on the appropriate cage card and the death log located within the animal housing room, if present.
6. Death Notification
- If an investigator has a death notification in place, the veterinary staff will notify the responsible laboratory personnel listed on the Special Treatment or Procedure Form when an animal is found dead or euthanized because of a moribund condition.
7. Live Animals Found in Carcass Cooler
- If an animal is found alive in the cooler, it should be euthanized immediately. As much information regarding the animal and where it may have come from should be sent to the area husbandry supervisor as well as the veterinary resident, and IACUC.
- If the veterinary staff observe an animal that requires euthanasia, the lab contact or principal investigator will be notified via phone and/or email. The message conveyed will include the room number, cage location, building, reason why euthanasia is required, and date and time by which the animal must be euthanized. It should also be stated that if not completed by this set time, veterinary staff will euthanize the animal.
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References
- National Research Council, 2011. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition. Washington, D.C.: The National Academics Press.
- AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia 2013 (Website at https://www.avma.org/kb/policies/documents/euthanasia.pdf)
Questions?
Questions or concerns about the content of this document should be directed to the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) at (734) 764-0277 or [email protected].
