Where appropriate, time should be set aside for handling and grooming. Regular cleaning and maintenance and a high standard of hygiene are essential for good husbandry. Routines should be established for cleaning, washing, decontaminating or sterilising cages and accessories. Cages must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected or sterilised before animals are introduced. This reduces the risk of disease transmission and reduces behavioural stress on the animal.
Healthy animals are a prerequisite both for good animal welfare and for good science.
Intercurrent infection in the animal population may call into question the validity of information obtained from scientific procedures and make interpretation of results difficult or even impossible. It is essential that, in consultation with the named veterinary surgeon or other suitably qualified person, plans should be prepared to maintain health and to deal with possible disease outbreaks. As poor breeding performance may be an indication of underlying disease, comprehensive breeding records shall be maintained and performance assessed on a regular basis. Effective breeding, health and disease recording systems should be maintained in formats agreed by the named veterinary surgeon and the Home Office Inspector, and these should be available for inspection. Records should include details of reproductive performance, arrivals, departures, treatments and deaths of animals.