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> NCI-BETHESDA ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

March 2005

Issue No: 5

####### Recognizing Pain and Distress

The premise that animals can experience pain and distress is the
starting point for most of the animal welfare regulations. Recognition
that animals might experience pain or distress in the conduct of
research led to the adoption and application of Russell and Burch's
Refinement principle, part of what is known as The **3 Rs***.* The 3 Rs
include: **[Replacement]{.underline}** with non-animal systems or less
sentient animal species, **[Reduction]{.underline}** in the number of
animals required to obtain scientifically valid data through better
experimental design and [**Refinement**]{.underline} techniques that
decrease or eliminate pain or distress.

NCI investigators should be concerned with the well-being of their
animals not only because of a fundamental notion that animals,
regardless of species, should not be subjected to unnecessary pain,
distress, or discomfort but also because pain or distress can introduce
unwanted variables and invalidate study results.

In order to minimize or manage pain effectively all animal users must
first be able to properly assess pain in animals. Since the peripheral
mechanisms for detection of potentially painful stimuli are similar in
animals and man, and the mechanisms for processing these signals are
remarkably similar, then the circumstances that could give rise to pain
will also be similar. However, this should not lead us to expect animals
in pain to behave in the same way as humans in pain. Animals in pain
could be expected to behave in different ways depending upon the site,
severity and type of pain, but we should also expect them to behave in a
species-specific way.

**Typical behavioral signs of pain, distress, or discomfort include:**

\- **Guarding**; **protecting the painful area** by becoming aggressive,
vicious, terrified, extreme submissiveness, flattening the ears, making
facial grimaces, and/or attempting to flee.

-   **Abnormal vocalizing** (squealing, howling, crying, hissing,
    spitting, screaming), especially when the animal is forced to move
    or the painful area is palpated.

-   **Licking, biting, scratching, or shaking** a painful area. If
    excessive, this can lead to self-mutilation.

-   **Restlessness**, such as pacing and repeatedly lying down and
    getting up again (like colic behavior in a horse). Changes in
    \'personality or attitude.

-   **Lack of mobility** as seen with colic, muscle, joint, or gut pain.

-   **Failure to groom**, causing an unkempt appearance. Rats accumulate
    a reddish porphryn staining around the eyes when they fail to groom
    properly. Changes in coat appearance:  ruffled fur or a greasy look
    are indicative of a lack of grooming.

-   **Changes in resting postures** or ambulating or attempting to
    hide.  Limping or carrying a leg/arm, tensing of abdominal or back
    muscles to produce a \'tucked up\' appearance, are indicative of
    some pain.  When the animal appears to be sleeping or is hunched up
    and can\'t get comfortable, be aware.

-   Failure to show normal patterns of inquisitiveness or alertness.

-   **Changes in appetite**, leading to weight loss and dehydration. 
    Cribbing or pica may be observed (animals chew, gnaw, or eat
    abnormal substances such as bedding)

If you suspect that an animal may be experiencing pain or distress, it
must be investigated and relieved in a timely manner. Report your
findings to the animal facility manger or directly consult with the
facility veterinarian to develop a treatment plan. If the pain or
distress cannot be relieved, then the animal must be euthanized.

See NCI's guideline on [Procedures Involving Pain and
Distress](http://web.ncifcrf.gov/rtp/LASP/intra/acuc/beth/ProcedrsInvolPain.asp)
and the ARAC guideline for more information on [Pain and Distress in
Rodents and
Rabbits.](http://oacu.od.nih.gov/ARAC/FinalPainDistress0704.pdf)

####### Personnel Performing Surgery

Lab personnel who have not previously been trained in regard to a
procedure that involves live animals, and that is covered by a current
animal use protocol, may begin training for the procedure as soon as a
modification form to add them to the protocol has been submitted,
provided that they have completed the OACU training course and enrolled
in the Animal Exposure Surveillance Program.

However, due to a few unfortunate, reportable events involving untrained
personnel performing surgery without the benefit of advanced training,
NCI-ACUC is now taking extra measures by having a LASP veterinarian
observe the first initial survival surgeries that will be performed by
new personnel .

This will help you and your staff to remain in compliance with the
Federal laws that require any personnel handling laboratory animals to
be adequately trained, whilst ensuring the welfare of the animals.

Next time you submit an Animal Study Proposal form or a Modification
form, make sure to include the persons' name performing surgery, the
procedures they will perform, who will train them, and a statement that
a LASP veterinarian will be contacted prior to the first surgery.

####### Revised ARAC Guidelines

The Animal Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) has made revisions to the
following guidelines:

-   [Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in
    NHPs](http://oacu.od.nih.gov/ARAC/TBPrevnt.pdf)

-   [Endpoints in ASPs](http://oacu.od.nih.gov/ARAC/Endpoints.pdf)

-   [Survival Bleeding of
    Rodents](http://oacu.od.nih.gov/ARAC/Bleeding.pdf)

-   [Genotyping of
    Rodents](http://oacu.od.nih.gov/ARAC/GenotypRodnt.pdf)

## 

## Preparing for AAALAC Inspection this July (Continuing "suggestions" from our [***last issue***](http://web.ncifcrf.gov/rtp/LASP/intra/acuc/beth/DecemberNewsletter.doc))

***Euthanasia:***

***#7 --** Your procedure must be exactly as written in your ASP.*

***#8 --** What method do you use to assure death?*

***Occupational Health and Safety:***

***#9 --** Is everyone working with animals enrolled in the AESP?*

***#10 --** Do you know what to do should a physical injury occur?*

***#11 --** Personal Protective Equipment -- do you know what is
required?*

######## General

***#12 -** Does all the research staff know not to put cages and
supplies on the floor of the animal room?*

![](media/image2.png){width="1.65in" height="0.9618055555555556in"}

**"I never wanted to be a seagull. I wanted to be an eagle, but my
guidance counselor was really lame."**