Topic Summary

Research, instruction and testing activities that involve vertebrate animals are regulated by federal, state, local and institution regulations and policies.  Approximately 85% of the animals used for research are laboratory mice and rats (National Association for Biomedical Research).  Consequently, common and best practices for reviewing and performing activities involving these species and other traditional laboratory animals have been established due to ongoing repetition among institutions. 

A regulatory expectation is for principle investigators and IACUCs to minimize the pain and distress animals experience as part of research, teaching and/or testing activities.  The USDA uses a Categorization (Cat C, D and E) process for identifying pain levels.  Although these categories need not be applied for non-USDA species, they may be able to help us when satisfying the three R’s.  For example, if a procedure being conducted on laboratory mice is considered painful (Cat E), applying the three R’s is necessary (i.e., pain relieving medications).           

During this webinar, Dawn O’Connor will help us understand the USDA Pain Categories, and identify way’s the scaling system may be a tool that can be used when evaluating non-USDA species.  After their presentations, we will have an opportunity for questions and answers.

The Meeting Times are Eastern Standard Time Zone