Clinical Activities and Procedures |
| The resources for the use of animals in teaching and research are critical to conduct research beneficial to human society and other animals and to teach the principles and methods of biology. The ARS provides one of the country's largest multispecies vivariums with a well-trained staff and the assurances for the highest standards of care for these animals as required by good veterinary practice, by laws and regulations relating to the care and welfare of laboratory animals, and by a moral imperative to deal with all animals used in teaching and research in the most humane way possible. The Comparative Pathology Laboratory (CPL) and Laboratory Animal Health Clinic (LAHC) are directly responsible for the laboratory animal medicine veterinary diagnostics, treatments, and related surgical practices. The faculty and staff within these units provide education to students and investigators on the use and care of animals in support of biomedical research. The CPL consists of diagnostic and research laboratory space. The laboratory is fully equipped with diagnostic capabilities in clinical pathology, microbiology, parasitology, serology, and pathology. The CPL has research capabilities in molecular biology, immunogenetics, histomorphometry and laboratory animal medicine diagnostic areas (clinical pathology, microbiology, parasitology, serology, and pathology). The CPL provides services such as the Polyclonal Antibody Production (PAP) program and the Rodent Health Surveillance (RHS) program. The LAHC consists of animal holding rooms, clinic/treatment rooms, an operating room, and associated support areas. The LAHC provides a variety of specialized services to investigators such as collection of animal blood and tissues, assistance with surgeries, anesthesia support, provision of post-operative care for research animals, and other project-related support services. |