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Pain and/or Distress Observational Worksheets
The KSU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is
implementing a formal program to assist the committee and investigators
in observation and evaluation of research activities that have the
potential for producing pain and/or distress (P&D) in laboratory
animals. In the 1985 amendment to the Animal
Welfare Act (AWA), congress made it clear that it is the statutory
responsibility of the IACUC to minimize pain, distress, and discomfort
in laboratory animals where possible. Since that time the USDA and
the NIH Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) have clarified
and refined their interpretation of the requirements for compliance
regarding pain and/or distress (P&D). It is clear that P&D management,
both at the institutional and investigator level, has become an
important compliance issue for federal agencies regulating animal
care and use.
In 1985 Morton and Griffiths developed criteria for assessing pain, distress and discomfort in laboratory animals based on five general aspects of an animals condition. Researchers can use these categories as a basic departure point for P&D observation, evaluation, and management.
- Changes in body weight (and related changes in food and water intake)
- External physical appearance
- Measurable clinical signs
- Changes in unprovoked behavior
- Behavioral responses to external stimuli
(However, it is important to remember that species-specific behaviors differ - some species may not show significant behavioral changes even when in severe pain. Therefore, it is critical that researchers are aware of these characteristics when evaluating and managing P&D)
Recognition is key to P&D management since signs may be difficult to detect or evaluate. The IACUC will require investigators to consider use of observational worksheets to assist in monitoring research animals and recognizing signs of P&D. Under Section VI.B., the IACUC protocol application will request that investigators either supply a P&D observational worksheet with the application, or justify non-use of a P&D worksheet in the application. In addition to assisting with day to day P&D observations, the worksheets will provide ready documentation of active pain and/or distress management for regulatory and accrediting agencies such as the USDA, OLAW, and AAALAC.
Several examples of P&D observational worksheets are provided and linked below. These are provided as samples, plesae tailor these to your project and/or species. Please include a copy of your proposed P&D observational worksheet with your IACUC application for approval form.
SAMPLE P&D OBSERVATIONAL WORKSHEET LINKS
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