Veterinary Verification and Consultation (VVC) (IACUC)

Anesthesia, Analgesics and Sedatives: The assigned veterinarian may use his/her discretion to authorize changes to the dose, route, concentration, volume, and/or duration of any anesthetic, analgesic or sedative agents already approved on the protocol. Changes to other agents not previously approved on the existing protocol may also be authorized under this mechanism providing the agent under request is listed in the IACUC-approved formulary and the requested usage is within the approved dose range. In addition, protocol personnel must be adequately trained in the use of the new drug.

Experimental Substances: The addition or deletion of an experimental substance, adjustment in dose, alternate formulation, or less invasive route of administration may also be authorized under this mechanism, assuming all conditions of IACUC Policy Use of Pharmaceutical Grade and Non-Pharmaceutical Grade Substances in Vertebrate Animals are met. Note that the addition of a non-pharmaceutical grade drug or a change from a pharmaceutical grade to a non-pharmaceutical grade drug requires additional justification and will not be authorized under this mechanism. Other IACUC policies may apply, including Administration of Drugs and Experimental Compounds in Mice and Rats, Additives to Drinking Water for Rats and Mice, and Adjuvants.

Euthanasia: The authorized veterinarian may use his/her discretion to authorize the use of any currently acceptable method in the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals including those that are acceptable with conditions providing that conditions are met. Note that protocol personnel must be adequately trained in the use of the requested procedure.

Duration, frequency, type, or number of procedures performed on an animal: The assigned veterinarian may use his/her discretion to authorize minor procedural changes providing in the judgment of the VVC veterinarian the change will not unduly impact animal welfare (i.e., lessens or involves equivalent pain, acute or chronic stress, distress or effects upon animal welfare) and is consistent with current standards of veterinary practice and specifically addressed in IACUC policy. New procedures cannot be added by VVC and require IACUC review.

The following process must be followed in regard to conduct and subsequent documentation of the VVC process:

1. All amendment requests are submitted by the PI through the Huron Research Suite IACUC submission process. Note that in emergency situations where animal health or welfare would be negatively affected by delay, this submission requirement can be temporarily waived. In these cases, requests can be made to the AWP office directly. The office will act to expedite the request and then work with the PI to ensure its proper entry into the protocol after authorization has been granted.
2. The AWP Compliance Specialist assigned to the protocol will evaluate the request and determine if it is eligible for VVC.
3. A VVC-authorized Veterinarian will then be assigned to the protocol amendment in the software. If the request is deemed to be urgent, the AWP Compliance Specialist will contact the VVC-Veterinarian via email or phone call to alert them of the situation, so as to expedite the request.
4. If the VVC veterinarian verifies that the request can be authorized via VVC, the veterinarian confirms that the requested change falls within IACUC-approved policies, selects the IACUC-approved policies that were used in making the determination, and confirms that the change is appropriate for the animals. The amendment is returned to AWP in the software.
5. The AWP Compliance Specialist will process the request, and the system will notify the PI of the authorization. Changes authorized at this point can be instituted immediately. There is no delay between approval and ability to institute the change.
6. If the veterinarian feels that the request does not fit within the established policies and procedures for VVC, the veterinarian indicates when returning the VVC review in the software that the request should be reviewed by the IACUC. The amendment will then be processed by the IACUC office and reassigned for DMR or FCR as appropriate. The veterinarian may refer the request to IACUC for any reason.

VVC Veterinarian is any veterinarian approved by the IACUC to conduct VVC.  The responsibilities of the VVC Veterinarian are as follows:

• Ensure that the requested change is eligible for VVC
• Verify that the requested change falls within by existing current IACUC-approved policy or guidance
• Determine if the change is appropriate under the specific circumstances.
• If  the change is eligible for VVC, falls within current IACUC-approved guidance documents, and is appropriate under the specific circumstances, the change may be authorized. If not, the following actions are appropriate under VVC:
  • Recommend revision to the existing request if it is within the scope of the policy and is appropriate for the conditions of the experiment
  • Defer the request to DMR or FCR

Principal Investigators are responsible for: preparing and submitting applications; making modifications in applications in order secure IACUC approval; ensuring adherence to approved protocols; ensuring humane care and use of animals: ensuring that all personnel have completed required training; and reporting any unanticipated outcomes or adverse events to the IACUC.

The Animal Welfare Program and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee are responsible for overseeing implementation of and ensuring compliance with this policy.