Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Guidelines
Animal Acclimation and Quarantine Guidelines
ACCLIMATION
Rationale: The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends a period of acclimation for newly arrived animals. This period allows newly arrived animals time to adjust to new surroundings, feed, light/dark cycles, cage/pen mates, and personnel prior to being used on research, teaching, or testing protocols. Boise State recognizes that shorter periods of acclimation may be desirable, such as studies involving wild-caught animals, where long periods of acclimation may become stressful.
- An acclimation period of seven days is highly recommended to allow maximal stabilization.
- Rodent species should have a minimum acclimation period of 72 hours.
- Prior approval of the IACUC and/or Attending Veterinarian is required for all experimental procedures conducted less than 72 hours after arrival.
QUARANTINE
Rationale: The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends a period of quarantine for newly arrived animals. The separation of newly arrived animals from those already in the facility minimizes the risk of pathogens into an established colony.
- The IACUC in consultation with the Attending Veterinarian will establish the type and duration of the quarantine dependent upon species, health status of the animals, and other relevant circumstances.
- Rodents may not require quarantine if data from the vendor are sufficient to determine health status of incoming animals and if the potential for exposure to pathogens during transit is considered.
- Arrangements should be made by the Principal Investigator or facilities manager to have the Attending Veterinarian evaluate the health status of the newly arrived animals as soon as possible after receiving the animals.
- Sick or injured animals will be isolated from other animals at the direction of the Attending Veterinarian and according to accepted veterinary and laboratory animal practice.