Intro to Exotics and Lab Animals

Exotic animals are…

any companion animal other than dogs and cats

This includes: birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals

Laboratory animals are …

• species commonly used in sciencfici research, including mice, rats, rabbits, and nonhuman primates

Inrinsic factors

• Species variation

• Age

• Gender

• Genetics

Extrinsic Factors

Environmental conditions

• Temp

• Humidity

• noise

• ventilation

• diet quality

• experimental conditions (surgical procedures)

Owership is subject to…

• legal restrictions especialy for species classified as endangered, invasive or dangerous

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna

Laws related to wildlife care:

• Regulations include conservation acts that protect endangered species and laws that control the rehabilitation and release of wildlife

• In research, wildlife care is also subject to the AWA and similar regulatory bodies

AWA

Animal welfare Act

Animal Welfare Act

• The main federal law regulating the treatment of animals in research

• Covers sale, handling, transport, and care of research animals

• Sets care standards for animals in education, research, and exhibition

IACUC

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Membership of IACUC

• vet with lab animal experience

• a public member

• a nonscientist

Functions of IACUC

• Oversees all aspects of animal use, health and low compliance

• reviews research protocols, inspects facilities, and ensures humane treatment

• conducts biannual inspections, reviews protocols, and ensures ethical treatment of animals

The 3 R’s

• Replacement

• Reduction

• Refinement

Replacement

• Use non-animal alternatives whenever possible

• Computer models, tissue cultures

Reduction

• Use the least number of animals that will achieve the research goals

• Don't use 50 when 20 with provide statistically significant data

Refinement

• Improve techniques to cause less pain/stress in animals

• Procedures must be performed by properly trained personnel

Ethics in Animal Research

• The ethical debate is highly emotional, balancing medical needs with animal welfare

• Multiple regulatory bodies (e.g. AWA, NIH, USDA) enforce ethical standards in research

• AAALAC plays a role in enforcing standards and ensuring human treatment in research settings

AAALAC

• Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care

Medical Advances from Animal Research

• Significant medical breakthroughs like vaccines (smallpox, anthrax, rabies), insulin discovery, and surgical advancements are attributed to animal research

• No drug can be used in humans without undergoing animal testing

Vet Techs role in exotics and lab animals

• Education

• Responsibility to ensure the health and wellbeing of these animals

• Duty is to reduce disease prevention by reducing predisposing factors aka "stress factors"

  • Intrinsic facors

  • Extrinsic factors

  • Dietary factors

  • Experimental factors

Exotics have unique husbandry, welfare, and safety requirements

1. Public health threat

   • Which zoonotic disease do these species contract?

   • Danger to community

     • They could escape or be intentionally released

2. Disruptive to local ecosystems

   • EX. Burmese pythons and green iguanas in FL

The term exotic pet refers to:

Any companion animal other than a dog or a cat

The term laboratory animal refers to:

any animal used in research or teaching

The animal welfare act (AWA):

is the principle federal statute governing the sale, handling, and use of animals

Which agency inspects research facilities on an annual basis?

APHIS

The primary reference on animal care and use is the

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Which entity is responsible for all aspects of animal use, education, health, and compliance with the laws and regulations within a facility

IACUC

The use of the absolute number of animals that will achieve the research goals is refered to as

Reduction