Module 4: Animal care, health and management – species specific (theory)

This module provides information on various aspects of animal health, care and management including, environmental controls, husbandry practices, diet, health status and disease. It also includes relevant basic learning outcomes relating to personal health and zoonoses.

Trainees should be able to:

4.1. Describe suitable routines and husbandry practices for the maintenance, care and welfare for a range of animals used in research, to include small laboratory species and large animal species where appropriate.

4.2. Describe suitable environmental and housing conditions for laboratory animals, how conditions are monitored and identify the consequences for the animal resulting from inappropriate environmental conditions.

4.3. Recognise that changes to or disruption of circadian or photoperiod can effect animals.

4.4. Describe the biological consequences of acclimatisation, habituation and training

4.5. Describe how the animal facility is organized to maintain an appropriate health status for the animals and the scientific procedures.

4.6. Describe how to provide water and an appropriate diet for laboratory animals including the sourcing, storage and presentation of suitable foodstuffs and water

4.7. List the methods, and demonstrate an understanding of appropriate, safe and humane handling, sexing and restraint of one or more named species for common scientific procedures.

4.8. Name different methods for marking individual animals and state an advantages and disadvantage for each method.

4.9. List potential disease risks in the animal facility, including specific predisposing factors which may be relevant. Name methods available for maintaining appropriate health status (including use of barriers, different containment levels use of sentinels as relevant to the species).

4.10. Describe appropriate breeding programmes

4.11. Describe how genetically altered animals can be used for scientific research and the importance of monitoring such animals very carefully.

4.12. List the correct procedures for ensuring health, welfare and care of animals during their transport.

4.13. List potential human health hazards associated with contact with laboratory animals (including allergy, injury, infection, zoonosis) and how these can be prevented