citation_inspection: 3506

16 dead animals were identified by APHIS Officials during the inspection. These animals were often present in enclosures which contained additional live animals and the deceased were in various states of decomposition. ~ Animals 1-6: One female gray and white Syrian hamster was housed with her litter (containing 5 deceased pups) in Room #17, rack #1, row 1, box 1. This female hamster and her pups were all dead and there was a strong odor of decomposition in this enclosure and nearby. The adult hamster was bloated and there were portions of the skull exposed. The pups were all furred, but younger than weaning age. ~ Animal 7: One female gray and white Syrian hamster was housed with her litter (containing 6 live pups) in Room #17, rack #1, row 1, box 2. In addition to these animals, there were three clumps of fur and skin consistent with a deceased cannibalized pre-weaning pup. This may have come from one animal or multiple. The adult female hamster and remaining pups were all alert and active. ~ Animal 8: One female brown Syrian hamster was housed with her litter (containing 7 live pups) in Room #17, rack #2, row #1, box #2. The adult hamster in this enclosure was dead but remained intact and had no obvious outward signs of the cause of death. ~ Animal 9: One female brown and white Syrian hamster was housed singly in Room #17, rack #3, row #4, box #2. This hamster was dead and there was a large amount of dried dark brown material caked around her rectum. This material appeared consistent with diarrhea. ~ Animal 10: Three juvenile gerbils were housed in room 5 of the "Main Building" in rack #15, row #7, box #7. In addition to the live animals one dead tan gerbil was present in this enclosure. On examination this animal had an accumulation of brown debris under the tail consistent with diarrhea. ~ Animal 11: One tan female Syrian hamster was housed with her litter (containing 5 live pups of pre-weaning age) in Room #17, rack #4, row #1, box #6. The adult hamster in this enclosure was dead and had a significant accumulation of brown debris under the tail consistent with diarrhea. Additionally there were 3 dead pups in this enclosure. This included 2 pups that were relatively fresh and one that was only fur and dried skin. ~ Animal 12: One dead hamster observed in the enclosure in room 17, line #9 row 1 rack 4 top #2. This pre weanling pup was housed with the female hamster and the remaining pups (6 total). The dead pup remained intact and had no obvious outward signs of the cause of death. The remaining animal housed in the enclosure did not exhibit any obvious signs of illness, and were alert and active. ~ Animal 13: One Syrian hamster was housed with her offspring in room 17, line #9 rack 1, row 7 bin 2. This adult female was found dead was housed in the enclosure, the remaining pre-weaning offspring were still alive. There was a wound observed encompassing the entire top portion of the head, where the offspring had cannibalized the carcass. The remaining hamsters in the enclosure were of normal appearance with no signs of illness. ~ Animal 14: One female tan Syrian hamster was housed with her litter (containing 6 live pups) in Room #17. The female was observed dead with the left hind leg having decomposed and or cannibalized. The skin was removed and the underlying bones were exposed. The remaining pups were all alert and active. ~ Animal 15: One female tan Syrian hamster was housed with her litter (containing 5 live pups) in Room #17, line 8 row 7 bin 2. In addition to these animals, there was one clump of fur and skin consistent with a deceased cannibalized pre-weaning pup. This may have come from one animal or multiple. The adult female hamster and remaining pups were all alert and active. ~ Animal 16: One female tan Syrian hamster was housed with her litter (containing 8 live pups) in Room #17, line #7 rack 4 row 7 bin 4. In addition to these animals, there was one deceased cannibalized pre-weaning pup. The adult female hamster and remaining pups were all alert and active. All licensees are required to conduct daily observations of all animals to assess their health and well-being. The facility representative stated that employees conduct observations while providing feed and water on a daily basis as well as when changing cages as needed. Observation "Loss" logs were present in every room, however, these were inconsistently filled out by the facility personnel. When these logs were completed, there was no method in place to determine whether the abnormalities were reported to the attending veterinarian or the outcome of the condition (treatment, improvement, euthanasia, etc). The presence of 16 deceased animals listed above in various states of decomposition, as well as the 36 animals found in need of veterinary care indicate that these observations are not being conducted in an effective manner at this time. Correct by modifying husbandry procedures as necessary to ensure that animals are observed effectively on a daily basis. Additionally, the licensee shall ensure that when such problems are identified accurate information shall be reported to the attending veterinarian in a timely manner. Records of the changes in procedures and training of employees to conduct more effective observations shall be maintained for APHIS Officials upon request. To be completed by: 12 January 2016