Date: Revised July 2006
     Other Available views: Monitoring Form is available as   Adobe Acrobat (pdf) file
     Reference:   Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care

DIRECTIONS: Review the following material. Keep copies of guidelines with applicable protocols. You may find it helpful to post a copy of these guidelines in your laboratory. Contact the A-PLAC office (723-4550) if you have questions.

TRAINING:Training in these techniques and the humane treatment of laboratory animals during the procedures is taught by the Veterinary Service Center (VSC) staff. All new personnel who will be performing these techniques should contact VSC for training (723-9901).

Records of anesthetic monitoring activities during survival and terminal anesthetic/surgical procedures are required in order to assure that all animals are receiving adequate care. The minimal standard documentation that is required is written documentation of vital parameters monitored (usually heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature) and the type of anesthetic used including the agent, time, dose and route of administration (such as 3% halothane via face mask or 40 mg/kg pentobarbital IV). Additionally, any complications should be noted. This written record can be in the form of handwritten information recorded every 15 minutes (e.g., the sample Surgery Monitoring Form on the final page of this form) or clearly labeled notations in the lab notebook or printouts from physiograph machines. These records must be maintained and made available for inspection by regulatory agencies, the A-PLAC, or VSC to ensure that adequate care of the animal has occurred in all experimental manipulations.

Personnel Safety When Working With Anesthetic Gases

Exposure to anesthetic gases (e.g. Isoflurane, Halothane) can cause adverse health effects. These include behavioral modification, physical impairment, or headaches from exposure to sub-anesthetic concentrations, as well as reproductive or hepatotoxic effects from chronic exposure. Therefore, it is important that when working with anesthetic gases personnel exposure is reduced by ensuring the following:

1. Working in a vented fume hood or use proper gas delivery (i.e. precision vaporizer) and scavenging equipment (e.g. F-Air charcoal canister). Gas must not be vented into the room. All equipment must be maintained according to the manufacturers recommendations and documentation of proper maintenance retained in the laboratory. For recommendations regarding the proper equipment for gas anesthesia please contact the VSC.
   
   
2. Ensure a tight seal around the animal's face when using an anesthetic mask.
   
   
3. Inspect and clean anesthetic masks, nose cones, and induction chambers immediately before and after use to ensure a proper fit and working condition with a suitable disinfectant (e.g. Alcide) to prevent cross-contamination.
   
   
4. All personnel must be properly trained in the use of anesthetic gases.
   

If you have concerns about exposure to anesthetic gases you should contact Environmental Health and Safety (723-7487) to arrange to have your laboratory and personnel monitored.

Provider: Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research and Graduate Policy, Stanford University

Contact: A-PLAC Administrator

Last updated: - July 2006

PRE-OPERATIVE VITAL STATISTICS