Visit
Apply
Give

University of Toledo

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

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

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

~30-70%
REPORT ABNORMALITIES TO DLAR!

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

~Weekly (or as needed)

~Weekly (or as needed)

~Monthly(or as needed)

$30/hour - charged in 15 minute increments
(weaning, euthanasia, separation of cages, malocclusion 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 how to properly dock an animal cage

Image of an animal cage that is not docked correctly and red dot is visible.

LOOK FOR THE COLORED DOT!

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

weaning

Mouse

Image of steps 1 and 2 of the mouse weaning instructions

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 check lixit slip

EXPECTING CARD = CHECK LIXIT SLIPS

Rat/Voles

Image of rat/vole weaning instructions

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 a check lixit slip

EXPECTING CARD = CHECK LIXIT SLIPS

chemical hazards
 

Image of an Animal Chemical Hazard form

1. Attend DLAR Hazard training first.

2. Be sure to send your 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 N95 mask

4. Always handle animals and cages in the hood.

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

Image of Chemical Hazard Label

5. Use chemical hazard labels and fill out completely.

Image of Chemical Hazard Label with line

6. If label is crossed off:

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

Image of red 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 Veterinary Care Card
  1. Using a Veterinary Care Card (VCC), document the animals' condition. Fill out as much information as possible.
  2. 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.
  3. The clinical team will evaluate the animal(s) as soon as possible and will contact you with updates.
  4. 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
mouse toenail trim

Image of where to trim mouse nails

  • The goal of trimming rodent nails is to nip off the sharp end of the nail without cutting into the quick.
  • The "quick" is a soft cuticle that contains the blood vessel and nerves that run through the mouse nail.
  • Cutting the quick is painful and causes bleeding.

Images of nail trims

  1. Restrain mouse using scruff technique and secure the tail.
  2. Gently extend the rear leg to spread the toes.
  3. Place hook side of scissor at tip of nail, closest to foot. The blade (cutting edge) MUST be facing AWAY from the animal.

  4. Snip only the very tip of the curved end of the nail.
  5. Continue snipping the tips of nails for each toe as needed.
  6. Treatment if the quick is cut and there is bleeding:
    1. Apply pressure to the bleeding nail.
    2. Place small amount of Clot-It on a paper towel.
    3. Gently dab the nail into the powder.
    4. Repeat pressure and Clot-It until the bleeding has stopped.

If bleeding cannot be controlled and/or in the case of a toe amputation, contact DLAR immediately.

post procedure/chronic care monitoring

Image of a DLAR Post Procedural/Chronic Care Card


Image of a DLAR Monitoring and Supportive Care Log

  • 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 original 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.


  • 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.
nair use

Image of NAIR Monitoring Card

*CLIPPERS SHOULD BE USED, INSTEAD OF NAIR, WHENEVER POSSIBLE*

APPLICATION

  1. Place patient under anesthesia.
  2. Lubricate eyes with ointment.
  3. Gently shave hair in the desired area. Be cautious to not cause clipper burn.
  4. Using a cotton tipped applicator (CTA), apply small amount of NAIR cream on the shaved area in a circular motion.
  5. Wait 30 seconds.
  6. Using a clean CTA, check the area for hair dissolving.
  7. If hair readily removes with CTA, it is time to remove the cream.
  8. If hair is not readily removed, leave on for 30 more seconds.

REMOVAL

  1. Use a soft cotton (cotton ball, cotton pad, etc.) and moisten with warm water. Do not soak the animal, this will cause the body temperature to drop.
  2. Gently wipe the NAIR cream off the animal, using multiple clean, moistened pads until all the cream has been removed.
  3. Always wipe AWAY from the eyes
  4. Do not let the water run down sides of animal or into the eyes.
  5. Fill out NAIR monitoring card for at least 3 days and monitor site(s) for any complications such as redness of the skin, chemical burns, or open wounds.
    • Additional monitoring may be required if complications occur.
    • If no complications occur, after 3 days, turn in the NAIR card to the vet tech office.
  6. CONTACT DLAR IMMEDIATELY IF COMPLICATIONS OCCUR.
open incision guideline

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. 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.

  4. 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 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 Environmental Health & Radiation Safety at 419.383.5089.

got stuck? - What to do in case of a needlestick

Image of a needlestick injury.

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.

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

 
 
Last Updated: 4/11/24