RAR Post-Operative Care Program Background Regulatory guidelines require high quality postsurgical care for all research animals. A centralized program was established in April 1987 to ensure that post-operative care for experimental animals is uniform and in accordance with acceptable veterinary practices. The program requires that all dogs, cats and pigs in the Health Sciences which have undergone major survival surgery are transported to a central post-operative area where care is provided by Research Animal Resources veterinary technicians, under direct supervision of a veterinarian. Other species, such as nonhuman primates, calves, goats and sheep that have undergone major survival surgery are also admitted to the post-operative care program, but may remain in their primary housing area or be transported to the centralized facility, depending on the availability of the type of housing needed. Care for these animals may be provided by RAR or may be shared with the investigator under RAR supervision.
Major surgery includes invasion of a body cavity, the vascular system or the skeletal system.
The duration of the stay in post-op and the exact care the animal receives will vary with the procedure and the individual animal's recovery. However, certain standard procedures are followed. Detailed records are kept throughout the post-operative period and are available to the investigative staff. In order to facilitate better postoperative care, the RAR post-operative staff has developed a list of recommendations to ensure a smooth recovery and prevent further postoperative complications. RAR realizes that special circumstances may arise, and we are willing to try and make accommodations in these rare instances.