Navigator Newsletters

AAALAC 2023 Preparation – HVAC Measurements

In anticipation of the upcoming AAALAC inspection during the summer of 2023, facilities will be taking HVAC measurements in all animal use and housing rooms through December 2022.

You will receive an email alerting you to the week facilities will be entering your spaces.

Prior to your scheduled readings, please make sure the space directly below the diffuser (i.e., the vent in the ceiling) in each of your animal spaces is free and clear of equipment or supplies.

Tail Tipping and Tissue Collection

Remember – the bones inside the tail harden as mice age making this procedure more painful in older mice.

• Mice 28 days of age or older MUST be under anesthesia and receive pain medication!
• Always take 3 mm or less of tail tip.
• Make sure to stop the bleeding before returning mice to the cage.

Ear punches may also provide sufficient tissue for genotyping and will also serve as a means of permanent identification.

Check your protocol. Genotyping, and the method used, must be described in your IACUC protocol, and staff performing the task must be trained.

IACUC Policy: Genotyping of Laboratory Mice.

Mystery Cage Program

Individually vented cages need to be fully engaged in racks. If you’re in a mouse housing room, be on the lookout for a mystery cage! These are cages placed amongst your colony by DCM. They will not be properly engaged in the racks and will be occupied with colorful toy rodents.

If you are a researcher or husbandry staff and you find a mystery cage, return the cage to Vet Services or Facility Supervisors. Let them know your name, what room you found it in, and that it was not engaged in the rack.

You will get to choose a prize for finding the Mystery Cage not engaged!

Cages not engaged in the rack are without air ventilation and water source. Mice and Rats can decline quickly, and this is considered a critical welfare issue.

If you ever find a cage containing animals that is not fully engaged in the rack, check on the health condition of the animals, push the cage completely into the rack until you hear it “click”, and submit a completed Sick Animal Report to Vet Services.

Learn about Engaging Various Cage Types.

New HoverBoard Training Resource

A new training guide and video covering how to add new personnel to your IACUC protocol are available:

Help Guide: HBTG018.Add New Personnel to a Protocol (PDF)

Video Guide: Adding New Personnel in HoverBoard

You can also find these resources in HoverBoard under the IACUC > Help Center > Guides/Videos tab.

Please send feedback and suggestions for new guides to oawrss@uw.edu.

Are You Trying to Figure Out Training Needs?

Visit the AUTS requirements guidance page for answers to your training questions.

There are easy to follow flow-charts to help you plan necessary steps to get into the lab fast.

Animal Use Training Program

‘Do you have any expired suture materials?

The AUTS team is looking for donations.

We are also looking for a mouse stereotax.

If you have any, please contact auts@uw.edu.