91´ÎÔª

Veterinary Care and Authority

Number: IACUC-POL-013 

Responsible Office: Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS) 

Applies to: All animal research and teaching activities involving live vertebrate animals at the 91´ÎÔª (UM) 

1. Purpose 

This policy establishes institutional requirements for the provision of veterinary care and defines the authority of the Attending Veterinarian (AV) within the 91´ÎÔª’s animal care and use program. 

The intent of this policy is to ensure: 

• Compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (“the Guide”), AAALAC International standards, and other applicable regulations. 
• Clear delineation of roles, responsibilities, and authority regarding veterinary care.
• That veterinary care is accessible, appropriately documented, and coordinated to promote high standards of animal welfare.  

2. Background 

Federal regulations and guidance documents—including the AWA regulations, PHS Policy, and the Guide—require institutions to maintain a program of adequate veterinary care. Core components of such a program include: 

• Animal health surveillance 
• Disease detection, diagnosis, treatment, and resolution 
• Preventive, routine, and emergency care 
• Guidance on handling, anesthesia, analgesia, immobilization, and euthanasia 
• Pre- and post-operative care 
• Adequate training of personnel 
• 24/7/365 availability of veterinary care 
• Access to animals and animal facilities at all times 
• Accurate and complete medical records  

UM fulfills these requirements through the Attending Veterinarian (AV) and delegated qualified veterinary professionals. 

3. Policy 

A. Authority of the Attending Veterinarian (AV)

1. Institutional Mandate 
   • UM must provide an Attending Veterinarian through employment, contract, or another approved arrangement. 
   • The AV is empowered with full authority to oversee and direct the veterinary care program, consistent with federal regulations and institutional policies. 
2. Access and Oversight 
   • The AV (or authorized designee) must have unrestricted access to all animals, facilities, and animal records at any time. 
   • No individual or unit may obstruct, inhibit, delay, or misrepresent information related to animal care or use. 
3. Clinical and Program Authority 
   • The AV is the final authority on clinical decisions regarding treatment, welfare, and euthanasia. 
   • The AV may temporarily halt or restrict animal activities if an immediate health or welfare concern exists, pending IACUC review. 
   • The AV may implement modified husbandry or temporary exceptions to standards based on clinical need.  
     
     In rare cases, it may be determined in the best interest of an animal to be housed in caging that does not meet federal regulations or guidelines (e.g., incubator housing for neonatal or debilitated animals or housing without perches for animals recovering from injury). When these conditions are anticipated, exceptions to cage size requirements will normally be reviewed by the IACUC at regularly convened meetings before implementation. In the event of emergent or unanticipated situations, the AV may authorize a temporary exception pending IACUC review. If the AV exercises this authority, the AV must promptly notify the IACUC Chair, and the IACUC review of the exception must be completed as soon as reasonably possible. 
4. Collaboration and Communication 
   • The AV will make every reasonable effort to consult with the Principal Investigator (PI) or representative prior to implementing treatment or euthanasia, unless delay would compromise animal welfare. 
   • When disagreements arise, and consensus cannot be reached, the AV has ultimate authority to act in the best interest of animal health and welfare. 

B. Provisions of Veterinary Care

1. Availability of Care 
   • Routine and emergency veterinary care must be available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year. 
   • Emergency contact information must be posted in all animal facilities and available on the IACUC website. 
2. Reporting Requirements 
   • All abnormalities in health, behavior, or well-being must be reported promptly to veterinary staff via phone, email, or the online adverse event reporting form. 
   • If observed issues are not covered under an IACUC-approved protocol or SOP, veterinary consultation is required before action is taken. 
3. Documentation Requirements 
   All clinical observations, medical evaluations, treatments, procedures, and communications must be recorded in accordance with: 
   • Standard veterinary practices and procedures 
   • AWA regulations 
   • The Guide
   Records must be accessible to the AV and IACUC upon request. 
   
   
4. Authority to Restrict Animal Use 
   • The AV may restrict or deny use of an animal if its health or welfare is compromised. 
   • PIs may appeal through the full-committee IACUC review process or the IACUC complaint procedure. 
   • Animal use may not resume until the IACUC issues a decision. 

4. Responsibilities of Principal Investigators (PIs) 

PIs and research personnel must: 

• Ensure all personnel working with animals are appropriately trained to recognize illness, pain, and distress. 
• Communicate promptly with AV and/or animal care staff regarding animal health concerns. 
• Maintain accurate records. 
• Provide complete and accurate information regarding animal status and care. 
• Follow veterinary instructions and treatment plans. 
• Collaborate with AV and/or animal care staff to balance research needs and animal welfare. 

5. References 

1. Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131–2159) and Animal Welfare Regulations 
2. Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 
3. National Research Council, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th Edition (2011) 
4. American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) Position Statement: Adequate Veterinary Care 
5. AAALAC International Position Statement: Veterinary Care 
6. USDA Animal Care Inspection Guide – Chapter 6: Veterinary Care 
7. Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, 4th Edition 

6. Review, Approval and Version History 

Review and approval version history for this policy

Version	Date	Description of Changes	Approved By
1.0	December 9, 2008	Initial policy creation	IACUC
2.0	September 13, 2017	Review	Heivilin
3.0	December 3, 2025	Review and rewrite	Hicks