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FAQ - Animal Care

May I communicate directly with the husbandry technician assigned to my animals?

Yes. We promote open communication between Comparative Medicine staff and the Research Staff. However, official communications, requests, or concerns should also be routed through the Supervisor(s) and/or Manager:

Conventional Animal:

Conventional Animal Facilities Manager: ConventionalAnimalFacility@ouhsc.edu

Rodent Barrier:

RBF Facility Manager: RodentBarrierFacility@ouhsc.edu

How can I gain access to the Animal Facilities?

Personnel working on an approved protocol will be required to attend an orientation and training for the facility they wish to have access to. Procedures in place are to protect the health status of all animals housed. Failure to comply with facility procedures may result in loss of access.  Please see Facility Orientation Sign-Up to sign up for orientation. 

How do I order animals?

Placing animal orders and housing requests are now joined into one process using TOPAZ Elements. If you need to place an animal order, please log in to TOPAZ Elements, nagivate to the "Animal Orders" section under "Operations," click on the "Orders" button, and then "Create New Order." If there are any questions, please contact the Census Manager at compmedhousingrequests@ouhsc.edu.

Which procedure room should I use?

BMSB - There are 2 procedure rooms available for investigator staff use at BMSB. One is located in 215F, the other is in room 258.  Please use your ID card for access.  The procedure rooms provide identical supplies and equipment; therefore you may use either procedure room.  Access to the procedure rooms are granted upon request after attending the facility orientation.

Research Park 865 - There are 3 procedure rooms available at Research Park 865 animal vivarium.  To gain access to these, please contact the CAF facility manager.

Rodent Barrier - Each suite in the rodent barrier contains a procedure room that can be scheduled once completing the facility orientation.

  • CM RBF Procedure Rm – BRCW 1063 B* (IVIS and 3D TMS are located in this room)
  • CM RBF Procedure Rm – BRCW 1063 C (Standard procedure room with Fume Hood)
  • CM RBF Procedure Rm – BRCW 1075 H*(X-ray Irradiator and extra BSC are located in this room)
  • CM RBF Necropsy Rm – BRCW 1036
  • Procedure room reservations are on a first come first served basis. Please note the time slots that are already reserved and do not overlap/double book. Please be considerate of others that need to use the rooms, do not reserve the room for more time than you actually need.
  • **The procedure rooms in 1063 B and 1075 H must be reserved independently of the IVIS, 3D TMS or X-ray irradiator. You must have the room reserved even if you have already reserved the other equipment. The systems do not work in conjunction with each other for scheduling.

 

How do I schedule a time to work in the procedure rooms or Necropsy room?

Reserving times for both procedure rooms and the Necropsy room is done through Outlook Calendars (same program as email). To gain access to the Outlook Calendars for these rooms, you will need to email the coordinator in each facility to request access. You must have an “on campus” email address (@ouhsc.edu) to use these calendars. When making a reservation, please include the Investigator name and the name of the person who will be working in the room.

Conventional Facilities:

Manager: ConventionalAnimalFacility@ouhsc.edu

RBF Facilities:

Manager: RodentBarrierFacility@ouhsc.edu

Below are the instructions for adding the Comparative Medicine- RBF procedure room schedule calendars to your list of calendars in Microsoft Outlook.

When it asks for the calendar name, they are called:

  • CM RBF Procedure Rm – BRCW 1063 B* (IVIS and 3D TMS are located in this room)
  • CM RBF Procedure Rm – BRCW 1063 C (Standard procedure room with Fume Hood)
  • CM RBF Procedure Rm – BRCW 1075 H* (X-ray Irradiator and extra BSC are located in this room)
  • CM RBF Necropsy Rm – BRCW 1036

When the calendars are added to your list of calendars on your computer, you will be able to see the time slots that have already been added. You should be able to add, edit or delete only the “Appointments” that you have entered, but nothing else.

When entering your appointments, include the PI and Protocol Number in the subject line to identify who has the time slot reserved. You can also color code your appointments if you wish by “right clicking” on the appointment and selecting “Categorize”.

Procedure room reservations are on a first come first served basis. Please note the time slots that are already reserved and do not overlap/double book. Please be considerate of others that need to use the rooms, do not reserve the room for more time than you actually need.

*The procedure rooms in 1063 B and 1075 H must be reserved independently of the IVIS, 3D TMS or X-ray irradiator. You must have the room reserved even if you have already reserved the other equipment. The systems do not work in conjunction with each other for scheduling.

How far in advance should I submit a transfer request?

Transfers are completed Tuesday – Friday. A transfer request submitted prior to 2pm will be approved for transfer the following day. Transfers submitted after 2pm may be approved the following day or the day after. Transfers submitted after 2p on Thursday or anytime on Friday will be transferred the following Tuesday.

Please see SOP 3.2 - Animal Transfers for more information.

When will I have access to my animals?

Request for access is submitted immediately following Facility Orientation. Usually, you will have access within 1 business day.

Why do I need to notify DCM before beginning hazardous or biohazardous experiments?

There are very specific policies and procedures relating to the various substances that may be administered to animals. Because there are so many different variations of these studies, there is no practical way to cover all of the relevant information in an orientation setting. In order for our staff to adequately understand your expectations of us, and for your staff to understand DCM's expectations of you, we request a personalized meeting before your staff starts any new hazardous or biohazardous studies.

How do I notify DCM when I am ready to begin a hazardous or biohazardous experiment?

For the Conventional Facility, please contact the facility manager, ConventionalAnimalFacility@ouhsc.edu, when you know you will be performing hazardous or biohazardous experiments. We will either discuss the details of your studies via email or we may request an in-person meeting.

For the RBF, they must contact the manager and/or vet to see if this is a project that needs to be in the breeding facility.

Do I need to notify DCM every time I am ready to begin a hazardous or biohazardous study?

Yes, you need to notify DCM if you are working with a hazard or biohazard in the Conventional Facility, as DCM provides the door signage, cage signage, etc.

Can I transfer animals from other OU facilities or outside institutions?

All animals from non-commercial sources must undergo a quarantine period during which additional testing is performed. Access to animals during quarantine is restricted. Contact the import/export coordinator for further information by emailing CMAnimalImportsExport@ouhsc.edu

Rodent Barrier

Where is the Rodent Barrier Facility?

We are located on the Lower Level of the Biomedical Research Center-West. This is a controlled access area; please contact the Facility Manager, RodentBarrierFacility@ouhsc.edu.

What is a “Barrier”?

This vivarium maintains specific pathogen free animals in an ultra-clean environment. Personnel access is limited and supplies are sterilized into the facilities. Strict entry and exit policies, as well as animal use rules, are enforced.

Should my animals be housed in the Barrier?

The Rodent Barrier Facility (RBF) is appropriate for breeding colonies, long-term studies, and health status critical studies. Additionally, for studies requiring rigid biosafety, an ABSL-2 suite is available.