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Veterinary Medical Park
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Veterinary Medical Park (VMP) was reorganized centrally. VMP administers support services for all animal research and teaching programs in the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The management and Staff of the VMP cooperate closely with the Director of CMP. The VMP is available for all Faculty who wish to use its services. Priority will be given to the CVM.
ORGANIZATION (Click here to view)
FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR INVESTIGATOR USE
SURGICAL SUITES
The VMP maintains two large animal surgical suites with adjoining surgical prep areas and post operative recovery areas. The suites are equipped with surgical lights, large and small surgical tables, large and small halothane anesthetic equipment, patient monitoring equipment, electrocautery, and suction apparatus. An autoclave, surgical instruments, laundry and specimen manipulation laboratory are also available for use.
The area is accessible to all qualified investigators who have an approved surgical protocol on file. There is no charge to CVM investigators for use of the area, but it must be reserved at least 48 hours in advance. Investigators can either supply their own consumable supplies or the VMP will supply them at cost. Technical support and suite clean up is available on a fee basis.
RADIOLOGY
The VMP maintains a portable radiograph machine capable of taking most radiographs. Processing is done at the CVM Radiology Laboratory on a fee for service basis. All essential safety equipment and items for standard radiograph techniques are available. Qualified personnel are available to assist you, and charges are incurred for each radiograph taken.
PROCUREMENT OF ANIMALS
An approved Animal Use Protocol must be on file in the VMP prior to animals being obtained. The VMP staff will assist in obtaining animals if so desired. Arrangements for housing must be made prior to ordering as space is available on a first come first served basis and not always available immediately.
RECEIVING
The VMP will receive animals from 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday and by special arrangement at other times. All incoming animals must be processed through the VMP office on arrival and undergo, identification, quarantine and conditioning as specified in the Park Health Maintenance Program.
SOURCES
Animals are available from private breeders, auction barns and other investigators in the Texas A&M System. Since the health of these animals is not always known, please check with VMP prior to obtaining animals and bringing them on the park. VMP will help in obtaining good sources of animals.
ANIMAL CARE AND HOUSING
All animal housing and pen sizes must meet federal and university regulations relative to size, design and construction. VMP has the required pens to meet requirements for conventional and Biohazard Level 3 research for most species.
VMP will work with investigators to meet housing requirements for special research applications whenever possible. VMP primarily houses horses, cattle, swine, sheep, and goats. However, limited facilities are also available to house deer, coyotes and dogs.
CONTROL AND MONITORING
VMP staff monitor the quality of feed, water and bedding where used. Temperature, humidity and disinfectant routines are monitored in the Biosafe Facilities.
ROUTINE HEALTH CARE
The health status of each animal maintained in the VMP is monitored on a daily basis by a trained Animal Health Technician. It is also the responsibility of all VMP animal care attendants to report any abnormalities or problems that may be observed during routine daily care procedures. Animals that display signs of illness are reported to the investigator and the VMP Director. If desired, VMP will make arrangements for a member of the staff of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery to check the animal and treat it. Animals needing hospitalization may be admitted to the Large Animal Clinic by the investigator, and payment for treatment arranged at that time. If the investigator cannot be reached and the situation is deemed to be an emergency by the VMP Director, the animal will be treated and appropriate charges billed to the investigator.
All animals entering VMP must be properly identified and undergo a period of quarantine and isolation and comply with the Health Maintenance Program of VMP.
MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS
Whenever movement of an animal occurs, either to a new pen or off of VMP, it must be coordinated and approved by VMP. All animals leaving VMP must be sent directly to slaughter to avoid the possible transmission of disease to outside herds. In rare instances, other disposition may be arranged for, in consultation with the VMP Director, prior to the animal’s arrival at VMP.
VMP must know where all animals are at all times to avoid disease transmission, for proper cost accounting and for improved security.
EUTHANSIA
For purposes of the Animal Welfare Act, euthanasia means the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method which produces instantaneous, unconsciousness and immediate death without visible evidence of pain or distress, or a method that utilizes anesthesia produced by an agent that causes painless loss of consciousness, and death following such loss of consciousness. The euthanasia method of choice will depend on the following items:
- Species of animal
- Number of animals
- Experimental purpose
- The operator and observer
A method of euthanasia should attempt to meet the following criteria:
- Produces death without anxiety, panic or pain
- Reduces stress, and the restraint technique does not precipitate the above reactions.
- Minimizes the time to loss of consciousness and death
- Minimizes risk to the operator and/or observer
- Minimizes emotional effect on operator and observer
- Idiot proof, simple and maintenance free
- Minimizes sanitation problems and environmental contamination
- Minimizes undesirable physiological and psychological effects
If needed, VMP personnel will assist in selecting a method of euthanasia. The method chosen must be approved in the Animal Use Protocol.
Euthanasia procedures must be reported to VMP to ensure proper cost accounting and to aid in animal security.
VERMIN CONTROL
VMP maintains vermin control within the boundaries of VMP by controlling excess growth of vegetation, restricting accumulation of refuse, proper feed storage techniques and use of a contractor service for vermin control. Any needs for vermin control should be reported to VMP and not attempted by the investigator.
BIOSAFE HOUSING
VMP maintains nine Biosafe Buildings that are assigned on a first come first served basis. All of these buildings are capable of being maintained at Biohazard Level 3. In addition there are a number of other buildings at VMP that can be maintained at Biohazard Level 2 for short periods of time. Please consult VMP staff to determine the level of containment required and space availability.
VETERINARY CARE
Preventative medicine at VMP is the foundation of health maintenance in our animal herds. Procedural details will vary according to species and individual research protocols. VMP prefers that animals with known health histories are obtained. When this is not possible, then strict isolation and quarantine procedures are followed for all species to prevent spread of disease agents that may be introduced. Prophylactic immunizations are administered where appropriate.
VMP technicians report directly to the VMP Director regarding animal health matters. The Director provides for appropriate treatment or action based on the nature of the disease, the animal’s role in the research or teaching project and the potential risk to other animals. Each case is evaluated individually and the method of management is tailored to minimize discomfort and risk to other animals while maximizing the animal’s contribution to the project. Investigative personnel are involved in all cases.
Emergency veterinary care is provided though the Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery which is available on a 24 hour basis.
Consultation for the selection of anesthetic and analgesic is available through the VMP Director. Selection should be made with consideration given to special characteristics of the species, the agent and the nature of the procedure. A qualified individual responsible for the anesthesia is present at all times during surgery. VMP can supply technical support for anesthesia if desired at a charge agreed upon prior to the surgery. Anesthetic and post operative care records are kept on all animals and made available to the attending veterinarian. Provisions for close observation of animals recovering from anesthesia are the responsibility of the investigator.
VMP surgical suites are available to all qualified investigators with approved surgical protocols on file. The area is under the direct supervision of the VMP Director. There is no charge for use of the surgical suites; however, charges are incurred for the use of expendable supplies, for the technician (if used) and for cleaning if not properly done by the investigator. Surgery must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance with the Surgical Technician. It is the responsibility of the investigator to make necessary arrangements with the surgery technician prior to the day of surgery so that all items needed are identified, in stock, sterilized and ready.
All surgical procedures performed in the VMP surgery facilities are accomplished with strict adherence to sterile techniques. Caps, surgical masks, shoe covers and clean surgical attire are worn at all times in the Operating Room (OR).
Monitoring during anesthetic recovery and post surgical care is the responsibility of the investigator. VMP employees will assist with monitoring during normal working hours. Emergency veterinary assistance is available 24 hours a day.
Whenever possible, surgeries should be scheduled so that the OR is vacated by 4 PM and should not be scheduled on Friday afternoons. This allows for proper cleaning and disinfection for the next day’s use and helps assure animal recovery prior to departure of personnel.
Investigators are encouraged to purchase controlled substances through commercial channels; however, some scheduled drugs may be acquired in limited amounts from VMP. In order to acquire controlled substances through VMP, the substances must be listed on an approved Animal Use Protocol. The individual securing the controlled substance from VMP must have a personal DEA number, be approved to use the requested substance and submit a completed form 222. At the time of purchase the drug is removed from VMP inventory and becomes the sole responsibility of the investigator.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
VMP technicians will collect blood samples for investigators by prior arrangement. VMP personnel will “pen” animals and perform other animal handling procedures for the investigator. Arrangements for such assistance should be made a minimum of 48 hours in advance with the Animal Care Supervisor. Technical assistance for surgery and anesthesia is also available and must be arranged 48 hours prior to the time of surgery. Every effort is made to accommodate all requests.
VMP BILLING PROCEDURES
Investigators are billed for animal housing, supplies and services on a monthly basis. Charges are accrued on a “per animal per day” basis. The charges for animal maintenance recover only those costs directly related to the care of the animals. For information regarding charges please contact VMP at 845-5620