Health Case Improvements from the Animal Science Center
BU Animal Science Center (ASC) is introducing a few changes to improve how we manage rodent clinical cases.
Treatment Exclusion Form: When we observe rodents with treatable health conditions, this form (completed by the investigator) will permit us to begin treatment under the oversight of the clinical veterinarian unless animals are excluded from treatment per the IACUC protocol. Beginning the treatment more promptly will help to save animals and preserve study integrity. It will also reduce the number of health report communications between veterinary staff and research teams.
Change to rodent “supportive care”: Coinciding with the introduction of the treatment form, BU ASC will be changing our rodent supportive care products from Clear-H2O (Hydrogel and DietGel) to Bio-serv (Pure-Water Gel and Nutra-gel). Nutritional profiles of DietGel and Nutra-gel. If you feel that either of these products would confound your research, please mark them on the Treatment Exclusion Form.
Exchange Distribution Lists: To improve communication with the research community, ASC Vet Services has been working with BU IT to create lab-maintained Exchange Distribution Lists. BU IT and the Service Desk Group will create a shell email address for each lab (e.g., YourLab@bu.edu), which can be linked to the BU email addresses of all members in a laboratory. By maintaining this distribution list through IT, you are able to ensure Animal Health Report emails reach only pertinent, active lab members. The shell account would not have an inbox and requires no sign-in or maintenance. Emails distribute directly to users’ addresses within the list. We are asking that all investigators participate in this initiative to improve communications between ASC Vet Services and the BU research community. If you are interested in creating a Distribution List for your lab members, please email Tim (tegillis@bu.edu) , who will work with IT in creating the initial list for your laboratory.
We hope these changes will improve the daily care of rodents at BU.