Purpose:

The federal Animal Welfare Act and the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals both set standards that are obligatory for biomedical research involving live, vertebrate animals. These documents have been adopted by virtually all public and private funding sources, and are therefore pertinent to all research projects, regardless of funding source. Each of these refers to providing adequate veterinary care to research animals. A component of adequate veterinary care is the careful monitoring of animals during surgical procedures and in the post operative recovery period which affords the opportunity to identify potential problems before they occur. As the surgical procedures on campus far exceed the capabilities for the veterinary staff to provide direct oversight, a standard anesthetic record is provided to investigators to monitor the animals during the intraoperative and post operative periods. Any investigators that anesthetize research animals are required to maintain an anesthetic record. These guidelines are in accordance with those set forth by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Procedure:

The anesthetic record is provided in several forms. One is for those using larger, non-rodent species, one is for comprehensive monitoring of rodents, and the other is to meet the minimum requirements for smaller species such as rodents. Completion of the form demonstrates that the appropriate monitoring is being performed during the intraoperative and post operative period.

Pre-Procedure:

Prior to beginning the procedure the upper, non-shaded portion of the record must be completed. This includes the date, the investigator name, the protocol number, the animal identification number, the animal species, sex, age and weight, the housing location, the surgeon, the anesthetists, the procedure(s), the drugs used for pre-anesthetics and anesthesia and their dosages and route of administration. If any of these areas are not applicable to your project document with ‘none’ or ‘n/a.’ (See example)

Intraoperative:

Intraoperative monitoring is completed on the same record. There are required areas that must be completed. If using inhalant anesthesia, the percentage and flow rate need to be completed. The times for inducing anesthesia, starting the procedure, completing the procedure, ending anesthesia needs to be completed.

Intraoperative monitoring of the patient is necessary to adequately assess anesthetic depth. The patient should be continuously monitored by observing the respiratory rate and response to surgical stimulus. The heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature must be recorded at regular intervals throughout the procedure. If fluids are being administered, the amount of fluid given must be recorded. Although not required, it is highly recommended that additional intraoperative monitoring include the mean blood pressure, the oxygen saturation of tissues, the end tidal carbon dioxide, and fluid administration. This monitoring, in conjunction with observations of the animal, allows a means to assess anesthetic depth.

For small rodents (mice, rats) it is difficult to accurately obtain a heart rate and respiratory rate unless they are being monitored with mechanical equipment (i.e. EKG). In these instances it is important to observe the respiratory rate and the response to surgical stimulus intraoperatively to assess anesthetic depth.

The two most common problems that occur during surgery are hypothermia and dehydration; therefore, heating pads and fluids may need to be used. Consult the Attending Veterinarian or CLAS Veterinary Services if you have questions regarding the extent of intraoperative monitoring necessary for your project.

Anesthetic Recovery:

Following the completion of the procedure, the post anesthetic recovery period must be monitored to assure the proper recovery of the animal from surgery. The body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and capillary refill time should be monitored to assure they are returning to normal after the procedure (see example). Hypothermia is one of the greatest concerns during the recovery period and hypothermia can result in prolonged recovery. Heating pads are strongly recommended during the intraoperative and recovery periods. Monitoring is necessary until the animal is able to ambulate or is no longer in a recumbent position. If the recovery is prolonged then the animal must be turned every 15-20 minutes to prevent congestion. Any additional observations or treatment are recorded in the Remarks/Treatment section (see example). If additional documentation is required, the back side of the record can be used. The time the animal recovered from anesthesia is recorded (see example). As a general rule, animals must not be returned to the vivarium until they are sternal and clearly awake. To prevent cannibalism or suffocation, house rodents individually on unbedded cages until they are ambulatory.

Post Operative Recovery:

Post-surgical animals must be seen every day by a member of the investigator's staff or other individual to whom post-operative care has been delegated. Animals must be observed daily until all sutures, wound clips, or other implanted devices have been removed. This is typically between 7-14 days. Documentation of daily observations for non-rodent species is maintained in the Post Operative Record section of the Anesthetic Record (See example).

Records:

A post-operative record should be kept in the room where the animals are housed. Having the record in the room accomplishes several functions. It explains the condition of the animals to animal care staff (e.g., a sedated animal may otherwise be thought to be ill). It assures animal care staff, the veterinary staff, the Animal Care and Use Committee, and USDA Animal Welfare Inspectors that proper care is being given to the animals. And it informs animal care and veterinary staff how recently the investigator has seen the animal; this knowledge helps them decide whether or not there is a need to contact the investigator to inform him or her of the present condition of the animal.

Although individual records are desirable, USDA allows a composite post-operative record to be used for a group of rodents (see attached example). Such a record would have a list of the animal numbers down the side and columns indicating dates. The column entries would include a notation that the animal has been checked, any abnormal observations, and a list of any therapeutics given including drugs, doses, and routes of administration. Records should be kept current during the immediate post-operative period (7-14 days). After all wounds have healed and all sutures/wound clips have been removed, the post-operative record requires no further entries, but should continue to be kept in the area where the animals are housed. When the study is completed and the animals are euthanized, the record is kept by the investigator.

The forms provided serve as a guide to the requirements for monitoring anesthesia and the post operative period in laboratory animals. If investigators select to use their own forms to document anesthesic monitoring they must at a minimum have the following information:

Anesthetic record: Investigator name, protocol number, date of surgery, animal identification, the name of the surgeon, the procedure, the time the procedure started, the time the procedure ended, the dosage and route of anesthetic, any additional drugs given (such as antibiotics or additional anesthetic), monitoring of the anesthetic recovery period to include the time turned, and the time to sternal recumbency.

Post operative records: Investigator name, protocol number, animal identification, date of surgery, the procedure, the time the procedure started and ended, the dosage and route of anesthetic and other drugs, documentation of daily observation for normal activity level, evaluation of incision site, and other findings until date of suture removal, date of suture removal.

Revised 10/26/04