1. thing every day, check cages to note the condition of the animals. An ARF Staff member will check the animal cages daily for visible signs of change or distress, such as leaky bottles, birth of new pups, decrease in food or water consumption, blood in cage, wounds, secretions around the eyes, nose and genital area, respiratory distress, constipation, diarrhea, swelling, sluggishness, gait, dull coat or loss of hair. All concerns will be reported to the ARF Supervisor and depending on the severity of the concern, the PI/technician and/or attending veterinarian will be notified. 2. Change cages at least once per week or more often as needed. During cage changes, animals are inspected for any abnormal conditions as listed above in section 1. Dirty bedding is removed on the dirty side of the cage washer. 3. Check the water bottles every day and add fresh water as needed. Check all cages for ‘DO NOT WATER” labels. Be sure to return each bottle to its original cage. 4. Check the feed every day and refill if necessary. Check all cages for NOT FEED” “DO labels. 5. Sanitize the bottles once a week. 6. Change shelves, cage card holders, lids and bonnets once a month 7. Sanitize room every three to six months. 8. Sweep the floor and mop weekly or as needed. 9. Wipe the feed barrel weekly. 10. Ensure that the plastic bags in the feed barrels are in good condition. No loose feed is to be kept in barrel. 11. Wipe off air vent weekly. 12. Each cage must have an identification card with the following information: protocol number, investigator’s name, date received, strain, sex, date of birth, and number of animals per cage. 13. Only store items that are essential to the animal care in the housing room. 14. Check the floor drains every day and flush out if necessary. 15. Wipe the weekly. 16. Document the inventory on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or more if needed. Animal Care Nude and Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) Mice
1. thing every day, check cages to note the condition of the animals. An ARF Staff member will check the animal cages daily for visible signs of change or distress, such as leaky bottles, birth of new pups, decrease in food or water consumption, blood in cage, wounds, secretions around the eyes, nose and genital area, respiratory distress, constipation, diarrhea, swelling, sluggishness, gait, dull coat or loss of hair. All concerns will be reported to the ARF Supervisor and depending on the severity of the concern, the PI/technician and/or attending veterinarian will be notified. 2. Change cages at least once per week or more often as needed. During cage changes, animals are inspected for any abnormal conditions as listed above in section 1. Dirty bedding is removed on the dirty side of the cage washer. 3. Check the water bottles every day and add fresh water as needed. Check all cages for ‘DO NOT WATER” labels. Be sure to return each bottle to its original cage. 4. Check the feed every day and refill if necessary. Check all cages for “DO NOT FEED” labels. 5. Sanitize the bottles once a week. 6. Change shelves, cage card holders, lids and bonnets once a month 7. Sanitize room every three to six months. 8. Sweep the floor and mop weekly or as needed. 9. Wipe the feed barrel weekly. 10. Ensure that the plastic bags in the feed barrels are in good condition. No loose feed is to be kept in barrel. 11. Wipe off air vent weekly. 12. Each cage must have an identification card with the following information: protocol number, investigator’s name, date received, strain, sex, date of birth, and number of animals per cage. 13. Only store items that are essential to the animal care in the housing room. 14. Check the floor drains every day and flush out if necessary. 15. Wipe the weekly. 16. Document the inventory on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or more if needed. Animal Care Nude and Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) Mice