This protocol has been prepared by the veterinary staff to provide information on the proper monitoring and care of research animals.
Principal investigators are responsible for the monitoring and care.
General anesthesia alone and anesthesia in conjunction with surgery, in particular, can seriously compromise an animal's homeostatic processes. Monitoring animals in the post-anesthesia period is important to assure an uneventful return to normalcy and to allow timely medical assistance when necessary. Monitoring involves timely, periodic examination of the animal to assess the animal's state of conciousness and health and the maintenance of written records of the examination findings. The diligience required in post-anesthesia monitoring varies depending on the responsiveness of the recovering animal. These patients are unable to recognize or react to their impending system failure and can die if they are not properly monitored.