University Animal Care Users' Handbook

2.1.3   UAC Quality Assurance Program

2.1.3.1.  Vendor Surveillance

In order to obtain healthy animals and maintain the health of animals held in its facilities, UAC monitors the quality and health status of all animals received.  Vendor lists can be obtained from the Animal Purchasing Office (626-4511).  Selection is as follows:

2.1.3.1.1.  Dogs

Approved-Source Dogs: Most dogs are purchased from licensed laboratory breeders and dealers who provide health records, vaccination for major diseases, deworming, and a minimum one month conditioning period.  Upon arrival, a physical exam is performed on each dog, a fecal sample is checked for endoparasites, and animals are treated for parasites as indicated. A blood sample may be obtained for a CBC, serum chemistries, and Babesia and Ehrlichia spp. serology, depending on the length of stay and/or type of research project.  Conditioned dogs are given a minimum 72 hour acclimation period after arrival to UAC.

Dogs obtained from local animal shelters and non-approved sources: are quarantined for 14 days. Upon arrival, a physical exam is performed on each dog, a fecal sample is checked for endoparasites, and animals are treated for parasites, as indicated.  Unhealthy animals are treated or euthanatized.  Dogs are dipped for external parasites and administered routine vaccinations for distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, coronavirus, rabies,  and adenovirus. A blood sample may be obtained for a CBC, serum chemistries, and Babesia and Ehrlichia spp. serology, depending on the length of stay and/or type of research project.

2.1.3.1.2.  Cats

Cats obtained from licensed dealers must arrive with a valid health report.  Cats which come from vendors who do not have feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) negative colonies are checked for these diseases, and cats which test positive are euthanatized.  For all cats, physical exams are performed, appropriate vaccinations given, a fecal sample analyzed for endoparasites, and cats are treated for parasites, as indicated.  Cats determined to be free of infectious disease are then taken to a permanent housing room. 

Cats obtained from local animal shelters are quarantined for 14 days. Upon arrival, these cats are given a physical exam and serological tests for FeLV, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and FIP are performed. Cats positive for FeLV, FIV, and FIP are either euthanatized or used acutely, prior to leaving quarantine. The remaining cats are vaccinated for panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and leukemia. Fecal samples are checked for endoparasites, and cats are treated for parasites if indicated.

2.1.3.1.3.   Rabbits

Only SPF rabbits are used. Upon arrival, rabbits are inspected for evidence of disease. If problems are found, the shipment is rejected, and the vendor is removed from the approved list.

2.1.3.1.4.  Rodents

Approved Sources: Vendors with certified viral antibody free (VAF)/mycoplasma-free colonies are the primary sources of animals and these suppliers are placed on the Approved Source list. Incoming mice and rats which are going into the clean barrier or which will be used as sentinels are quarantined for 21-days, after which they are tested for Sendai virus, coronaviruses, PVM, parvovirus, Mycoplasma pulmonis, potentially pathogenic bacteria, and endo- and ectoparasites. If positive results are detected for any of these infectious agents, the shipment is rejected or, in the case of valuable animals, rederivation is considered.

Non-approved Sources (NAS): With the increase in specialized rodents, such as transgenics and knockouts, more animals are being requested from vendors who do not fall into the Approved Source category.  Contact the Purchasing Office (626-4511) for a copy of the guidelines concerning NAS shipments.  NAS must be coordinated by the UAC Animal Purchasing Office for entrance to the University of Arizona facilities. For these animals, as much information as possible is obtained on their health status. The animals are then shipped to the NAS Quarantine facility where they remain in isolation cubicles for a minimum of 21 days, after which a comprehensive necropsy profile is performed on the sentinel rodent.  If animals are found to be free of disease, they may be moved to the AHSC or CAF rodent rooms. If contaminated, rederivation is performed, the animals are housed in the CAF ABSL-2 Barrier under strict isolation for the duration of the research study, or the animals are euthanatized.

2.1.3.1.5.  Nonhuman Primates

Only macaques that are Hepatitis B , STLV1, SIV, SRV, and Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (Herpes B)-virus negative are purchased. NHP are vaccinated for measles and Hepatitis A by the vendor. Complete health reports are required prior to approving  the animal shipment. NHP are quarantined for six weeks following arrival into UAC facilities, or until all animals have passed three consecutive negative TB tests which are administered at two week intervals.  All animals that test positive for TB are euthanatized.  A CBC, serum chemistry panel, fecal cultures, and, fecal parasitology are performed and animals are treated for infection/infestation as necessary. Macaques are tested for Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1, simian retrovirus and simian immunodeficiency virus.

2.1.3.1.6.  Pigs

Pigs are given a physical exam upon arrival and pigs with obvious clinical signs of illness are rejected and returned to the supplier.  

2.1.3.1.7.  Other Species

Appropriate diagnostic tests and examinations are performed as needed.

2.1.3.2.    Housing by Health Status

Animals are housed by health status and, in general, by vendor. Six levels of health status are maintained in the facility, designated A (most clean) through F (contaminated).  Letter designations are posted on each animal room door and updated weekly.  Lists of all rooms with designations are found on central bulletin boards and by the supervisor’s office at the COM and CAF facilities.

Personnel may descend the alphabet when going to more than one animal room per day, but not move up the alphabet.  (I.E., you can move from A to B to C, etc., but not from C to B to A.)

Please observe special instructions on animal room doors, such as wearing protective clothing.

2.1.3.3.   Isolation

Rooms where outbreaks of highly contagious disease occur are individually isolated and access limited.

2.1.3.4.   Shoe Covers

To minimize spread of infection through the facilities, all individuals entering the facilities are required to put on shoe covers. Additionally, disinfectant spray bottles are located outside of each animal room. Before entering and upon leaving each animal room, the bottoms of the shoe covers must be sprayed with disinfectant.

2.1.4.  Farm Animal Care– (incomplete section)

This page designed and maintained by K. Coronado
Revised 05/07/2008