DLAR USER MANUAL FOR RESEARCHERS

Basic Room information

Light Cycle

Temperature

Relative Humidity

Cage Change

Census Count

Room Cleaning

Hood Cleaning

Tech Time Fee

Senior Tech Time Fee

~7:00 AM - 7:00 PM DST (~March - November)
~6:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST (~November - March)
Adjustments require IACUC/DLAR approval.

~70-74°F
Adjustments require IACUC/DLAR approval.
REPORT ABNORMALITIES TO DLAR!

~30-70%
REPORT ABNORMALITIES TO DLAR!

~Every 2 weeks (or as needed)
Adjustments require IACUC/DLAR approval.

~Weekly (or as needed)

~Monthly (or as needed)

$30/hour - charged in 15 minute increments
(weaning, euthanasia, separation of cages, maloccluson TX's, etc.)

$45/hour - charged in 15 minute increments
(injections, genotyping, surgical-post op monitoring, etc.)

Cage Docking

Placing cages on the rack correctly ensures the cage has complete access to water and HEPA filtered air.

Image of animal cage docked in rack correctly with no red dot visible.

Image of animal cage not docked in rack correctly with red dot visible

Look for the Colored Dot!

If you see the RED DOT, you cage is NOT on the rack correctly! Remove your cage and try again.

Weaning

Mouse

Image of mouse wet food and bost in petri dish

1. Supply wet food and/or Boost in petri dish.
- One Boost can supply up to 3 cages.

2. Place a few pieces of animals' food on the cage floor.

3. Put the "Check Lixit" slip on the cage and make sure lixit works.

Check Lixit Slips

Image of a lavender lixit slip

EXPECTING CARD =
CHECK LIXIT SLIPS

Rat/Vole

Image of wet food for rat and vole weaning.

1. Supply wet food in crock or paper cup.

2. Place a few pieces of animals' food on the cage floor.

3. Put the "Check Lixit" slip on the cage and make sure lixit works.

Check Lixit Slips

Image of lavender lixit slip

EXPECTING CARD =
CHECK LIXIT SLIPS

Chemical Hazards

Image of an Animal Chemical Hazard form

1. Attend DLAR Hazad training first.

2. Be sure to send you hazard door sign to DLAR at least 5 days before starting.

3. Be sure to wear all personal protective equipment (PPE).

- Blue chemical gown may be required. See door sign.

Image of an N95 mask.

4. Always handle animals and cages in the hood.

- Must wear N95 mask* if working outside of the hood.
  *Requires fit testing with Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (419.383.5089)

Image of a blank Chemical Hazard label

5. Use chemical hazard labels and fill out completely.

Image a Chemical Hazard label that is crossed off

6. If a label is crossed off:

- Empty cages can be taken to cage wash
- Use regular carcass bags.

Image of a red hazard carcass bag

7. If label is NOT crossed off:

- DO NOT take empty cages to cage wash.
- Use red hazard carcass bag.

If you have any questions, see a DLAR staff member.

Clinical Concerns

Report Emergencies to the Veterinary Staff Immediately

Image of a veterinary care card

Using a Veterinary Care Card (VCC), document the animals' condition. Fill out as muc informaiton as possible.
The VCC is 2 parts. remove the top part and turn it in to the Vet Tech office.
- Leave the 2nd part (carbon copy) on the cage.
The clinical team will evaluate the animal(s) as soon as possible and will contact you with updates.
If you find a VCC on a cage that you are euthanizing, complete the euthanasia section (yellow) and turn it in to the Vet Tech office.

Important Contacts

Dr. Lisa Root
419.383.4314

Jamie Harris
419.383.1063

Kimberly O'Meara-Schmidt
419.383.1499

Post Procedure/Chronic Care Monitoring

Image of a Post Procedure/Chronic Care Card

The yellow Post Procedural/Chronic Care card and it's supporting document, the Monitoring and Supportive Care Log, must be used whenever a procedure, surgery, or phenotypic abnormality occurs which will impact the animal's health over time (i.e.: tumor growth, arthritis, paralysis, sepsis, aging, runted pups, etc.).
The Post Procedural/Chronic Care card must be placed in front of the origical cage card as soon as the adverse health effects are visible. This card will stay on the cage for the life of the animal and then may be kept for your records after the animal is euthanized.

Image of a Monitoring and Supportive Care Log

The Monitoring and Supportive Care Log, located in the yellow clinical binder in the animal room, must also be completed, if not providing your own monitoring log. Be sure to include all monitoring and treatments and their frequency.

Open Incision Guideline

What do I do if the skin sutures or wound clips fall out and the incision is open?

MUST consult with DLAR upon first observation of missing wound clips/sutures and/or an open incision.
- Record the observation on the back of the green surgery card.
DLAR will assess the animal(s) to determine the best treatment plan. Here are possible treatment outcomes.
- Grade 0
  • 1 skin wound clip/suture is missing but the skin incision is still closed/sealed
  • No treatment (continue to monitor)
- Grade 1
  • 1-2 skin wound clips/sutures are missing causing a small (<3mm) gap in the skin with a little pink or white tissue
  visible
  • Treatment: Neosporin plus pain relief (a.k.a. TAO+) daily for 3 days
- Grade 2
  • >2 skin wound clips/sutures are missing causing a medium (3-5mm) gap in the skin with a some pink or white
  tissue visible
  • Treatment: Gently clean the wound, Neosporin plus pain relief (a.k.a. TAO+) daily for 7 days, and more frequent
  cage changing.
- Grade 3
  • >2 skin wound clips/sutures are missing causing a large (>5mm) gap in the skin with a lot of tissue visible
  • Treatment depends on how much time has elapsed since the surgery and the condition of the tissue. Call the
  Veterinarian (or Vet Techs) during business hours) for further instructions.
- Grade 4
  • Skin and body wall incisions are open, and organs are protruding out of the body cavity
  • EUTHANIZE IMMEDIATELY!
In all the above cases, the veterinarian or the DLAR staff must be consulted so we can discuss the situation and determine the best course of action for the animal's health and welfare.
After hours, on weekends or holidays, you will need to initiate treatment based on the above criteria, and you will need to notify DLAR.
- Document the treatment on the back of the green surgery card.
- Phone numbers for Dr. Root and Ashley Kurth are posted in the facility.
- Dr. Root and Ashley Kurth also check emails throughout the weekend.

Got bit? - What to do in case of an animal bite

Image of a mouse biting a human finger

Clean It

Thoroughly wash the wound with warm water and disinfect with soap.
Cover it with a waterproof band-aid/dressing.

Report It

Report the incident to your supervisor immediately and notify DLAR management.
An Injury/Illness Report Form must be completed for any incident resulting in an injury or illness to an employee or student employee at The University of Toledo.

Treat It

Discuss with your physician, EH&RS/Occupational Health (for referral to UTMC Emergency Department or Family Medicine), and/or supervisor about seeking further medical treatment.

For any questions, please contact Enironmental Health & Radiation Safety at 419.383.5089.

Got Stuck? - What to do in case of a needlestick

Image of a needle with a drop of blood above a human finger

Clean It

Thoroughly wash the wound with warm water and disinfect with soap.
Cover it with a waterproof band-aid/dressing.

Report It

Report the incident to your supervisor immediately and notify DLAR management.
An Injury/Illness Report Form must be completed for any incident resulting in an injury or illness to an employee or student employee at The University of Toledo.

Treat It

Exposed individual will go to the UTMC Emergency Department.
UTMC Emergency Department will provide the exposed individual with PERRP Sharps Injury Form Needlestick Report. This must be completed in addition to the Injury/Illness Report Form.

University of Toledo