citation_inspection: 137

On November 22nd, 2023, the IACUC conducted a Post Approval Monitoring (PAM) survey for a rabbit user laboratory. The PAM reviewed surgical records and interviews were conducted with laboratory staff. It was determined that under protocol #RA005 animals that underwent survival procedures did not receive any form of analgesia, pre-emptively and post-procedurally at the frequency outlined in the approved protocol. According to the laboratory staff, analgesia was not required because protocol #RA005 was Category E. According to the approved protocol, analgesics should be administered at least 10 minutes prior to the initial incision at all peripheral catheterization and surgical sites. The IACUC required a response to the Committee from the Principal Investigator (PI) and retraining of the laboratory staff by December 7th, 2023. The PI provided a response and amendment. Following the amendment the IACUC approved the amendment and renewed the protocol (#RA006). The IACUC reviewed the response from the PI and decided a follow-up PAM survey was needed to assess compliance and determine the number of rabbits that may not have received the appropriate analgesia. During the follow-up PAM survey on December 5, 2023, the IACUC determined none of the 395 rabbits were administered analgesia according to the approved protocol and 306 of those rabbits received no analgesia at all. On April 10th and April 11th, 2024, it was noted that the laboratory staff was still not administering the analgesia as outlined in the protocol. On April 10, 2024, the IACUC representative told the laboratory member that BID meant the next post procedural dose of analgesia must occur on the same day and not the next morning. The 4 study rabbits identified on April 10th did not receive the second dose of analgesia until the next morning. The laboratory member did not ensure analgesia was administered according to the protocol and as directed by the facility veterinarian and the IACUC representative on April 10th and 11th. The IACUC suspended all activity on protocol #RA006 on April 11, 2024. The IACUC shall review and approve, require modifications (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding the care and use of animals in ongoing activities. Corrected by the IACUC on April 11, 2024, by suspending the protocol and placing the remaining rabbits on a holding protocol.