I: Background and Purpose

UCR is committed to its responsibility of ensuring the humane treatment of animals used in biomedical research. As part of its ethical and legal obligations, it adheres to the principles of avoiding, mitigating or minimizing pain and distress in animals to the greatest extent possible.

II: Related Policies and Guidance

• Policy 529-323: Policy on Animal Surgery
• Policy 529-331: Cervical Dislocation
• Policy 529-332: Decapitation
• Policy 529-340: Non-pharmaceutical grade substances in animals
• Guidance 529-268: Guidelines for Compounding and Secondary Container Use for Injectable Drugs
• Guidance 529-349, Guidelines for Rodent Anesthesia and Analgesia

III: Policy

Doses, route of administration, and frequency for any anesthetic, analgesic, or euthanasia agent must be specified in the AUP. Guidance for appropriate rodent anesthetic and analgesic agents and doses can be found in 529-349, “Guidelines for Rodent Anesthesia and Analgesia.” Investigators are encouraged to consult with the Campus Veterinarian in the selection of the most efficacious anesthetic and analgesic regimens for their study. Standard euthanasia agents and doses can be found in the latest edition of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. Guidance for appropriate rodent euthanasia agents and doses can be found in 529-350, “Guidelines for Rodent Euthanasia.”

It is expected that all compounds used in animals are pharmaceutical grade. See Policy 529-340: “Non-pharmaceutical grade substances in animals” for information and exceptions.

In addition, Guideline 529-268 “Guidelines for Compounding and Secondary Container Use for Injectable Drugs” must be adhered to by laboratories.

A. Anesthetics

• Any standard anesthetic agent appropriate for the species may be used for a specific procedure.
• If more than one standard anesthetic agent is listed for the procedure in the approved AUP, no clarification is required as to when which agent will be used unless the IACUC requests clarification.
• Because anesthetic agents may cause cardiovascular and respiratory disturbances, equipment (i.e., heating pad) needed to maintain normal body temperature should be obtained, and its use should be delineated in the AUP.

B. Analgesics

• Any standard analgesic agent appropriate for the species may be used for a specific procedure. 
• If more than one standard analgesic is listed for the procedure in the approved AUP, no clarification is required as to when which agent will be used unless the IACUC requests clarification.
• Written documentation must be maintained for all analgesics given, including name, dose, and date/time of administration.

 C. Euthanasia

• Any acceptable method of euthanasia, as defined by the current version of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, may be used for a procedure when specified in the approved AUP.
• If more than one method of euthanasia is listed in the approved AUP, no clarification is required as to when which method will be used in a specific procedure.
• Euthanasia via drug overdose or CO₂ must be confirmed by means of a secondary, physical method. Physical methods of euthanasia are addressed in separate policies and guidance. See Policies “529-331: Cervical Dislocation” and “529-332: Decapitation.”

Approved 4/6/15; approved as 529-341 9/16/2016; Reviewed 03/11/2024