Florida Atlantic University

 Training Course for Animal Users

 Presented by

Veterinary Services 

1 June 2003

Introduction

1)      Laboratory Animal Medicine Training Course

a)      Welcome to the General Training Course for animal use in research and teaching.

i)        Research done over ten years ago is quite different from today.

(1)   The animal and its humane treatment is now of great concern.

(2)   Secondly, along with the concern for animals, we are required to be concerned with the data we obtain to ensure it is useful and accurate.

(3)   We are more concerned today with the people working with animals and their environment to ensure their safety.

2)      Introduction

a)      With the changes, we now have the following:

i)        Regulatory requirements

(1)   To start with, it requires this training, specifically these areas, and it holds the institution responsible so no matter how long you have been doing research and what training you received at other institutions, you need to be trained here.

ii)       Collection of new data

(1)   Ensuring that it is true and reliable with reproducible evidence

(2)   Ensuring that there are no unwanted variables

iii)     Models development

iv)     Technique development

v)      All leads to better, more reliable data

3)      The training at this institution is divided into 3 courses

a)      General

i)        Required for everybody using animals or are on an animal use protocol

b)      Surgical

i)        Required for those doing anesthesia and those doing survival surgeries

c)      Euthanasia

i)        Required for anyone who is to be responsible for or perform euthanasia of an animal

4)      Objectives for this course are numerous

a)      General Course

i)        Regulatory requirements

(1)   Discuss the history of animal welfare

(2)   What are the regulatory requirements for animal use?

(3)   What records are required?

(4)   Who enforces it?

(5)   What are the penalties?

(6)   Institutional, IACUC, Veterinary responsibilities

(a)    Describe the responsibilities of the University

(b)   Describe the responsibilities of the IACUC

(c)    Describe the responsibilities of the veterinarian

(d)   Describe your responsibilities

ii)       Ethical and Scientific Issues

(1)   Define ethics

(2)   Compare animal welfarist vs.  animal rightist

(3)   Discuss humane care of animals

(4)   Discuss media presentations

(5)   Alternatives

(6)   Define the A3Rs@

(a)    Discuss alternative to live animal use

(b)   Discuss species selection

iii)     Occupational Hazards

(1)   Discuss the hazards associated with animal use

(2)   Discuss zoonotic diseases

iv)     Husbandry, Care, Environment

(1)   Discuss legal requirements

(2)   Discuss importance of proper care

(3)   Discuss emergencies

(4)   Discuss team concept

v)      Veterinary Care

(1)   Know how to recognize disease

(2)   Understand pain and distress signs in animals

(3)   Know how to communicate with the veterinarian

b)      Surgery Course

i)        Pain and Distress

(1)   Define pain

(2)   Define distress

(3)   Discuss categories of pain

(4)   Discuss sources of pain/distress

(5)   Discuss methods to minimize pain/distress

ii)       Anesthesia, Analgesics, Tranquilizers, Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

(1)   Define and compare

(2)   Discuss factors to consider in their selection

(3)   Describe signs to define their effects

(4)   Discuss drug selection, administration and monitoring

(5)   Discuss record keeping

iii)     Surgery and Post Surgical Care

(1)   Define survival, non‑survival, major/minor surgery, rodent/other surgery

(2)   Discuss pre‑surgical care

(3)   Discuss aseptic surgery

(4)   Discuss post‑surgical care

(5)   Discuss record keeping

c)      Euthanasia

i)        Define euthanasia

ii)       Discuss the emotional issues of euthanasia

iii)     Discuss selection of method to be used

iv)     Discuss safety

v)      Discuss tissue disposal

vi)     Discuss proper procedures for the species you use

5)      Lastly, some of you may have been doing this work for years.  You may have been "trained" at other institutions.  And you as:

a)      Why do I have to go through it again?

b)      What will I learn?

6)      The reason is that the regulations and those who enforce them have taken the position that each institution is responsible for ensuring that everyone is properly trained in the areas they require.  They expect each institution to conduct training specific for their location. 

For quotes from the regulations justifying the requirement for your training, click this line ------

To start your training select in order the following:

General               Required for all

Surgical               Required for anyone involved in surgery

Euthanasia         Required for anyone doing euthanasia