FAQs

Frequently Asked Question Categories:

Business Related

Husbandry Related

Policies

Surgical and Technical Services

Veterinary Services


 

Business Related FAQs

How Do I Order Animals?

How Do I Get Facility Access?

How Soon After Ordering Will My Animals Arrive?

How Do I Export My Animals To Another Institution?

How Do I Import Animals From Another Institution?

 

How do I order animals?

Requisitions

Depending on the funding source, the investigator must complete either State or Research Foundation requisition. Requisition forms are available through each investigator's departmental office. The following information must be included on the form:

• IACUC protocol number

• Account number

• Investigator’s signature

• Research contact person and phone number

• Specifics on the species — i.e., strain, age and/or weight, sex

The signed requisition must be brought down to the main DLAR office. The order may also be faxed (444-8843), however the original copy will be needed for the Purchasing Department.

IACUC approval

Before placing an animal order, the Business Office must verify that the investigator's IACUC protocol is current and that the order does not exceed the approved animal allotment. Orders will not be placed if the protocol has expired or if the order exceeds the number of animals approved. In the event this occurs, the Business Office will notify the research contact person. The investigator must then contact the Office of Research Compliance (444-9036) regarding the status of their protocol. The order will be placed once the Business Office receives either verbal or written protocol approval from the Office of Research Compliance.

 

How Do I Get Facility Access?

The DLAR security system secures all five animal facilities. All DLAR staff and research personnel are required to have their SBU identity card entered into the system for access. Research personnel must complete an Individual Security Access form (Click here and print form out or obtain a form from the DLAR main office) and include the following information:

1) Name, department and principle investigator;

2) IACUC approval number of project;

3) Building location(s) where access is required;

4) Days of the week and hours when access is required;

5) Signature of the individual requesting access;

6) Signature of the principle investigator

Personnel must bring their SBU photo identification card when they apply for access. The business office will verify that the person requesting access is listed on an approved IACUC protocol. Once the PI signature and IACUC approval are confirmed and the application is complete, access will be given.

 

How soon after ordering will my animals arrive?

When planning experiments, investigators should be aware of the time normally required between placement of an animal order and delivery of those animals by the commercial vendor. Please note that unusual animals may require additional time for delivery. Holiday schedules and/or inclement weather may also change normal delivery days—in these cases, please contact the DLAR Office (444-2194) for scheduling information.

For regular delivery of rodents, the order cut-off time/day to place your order with DLAR, and the scheduled delivery days, are as follows:

Vendor Order Cut-Off 
Time/Day		 Delivery Day (if Max-Iso, large animals = following week)
Taconic 12 p.m. Thursday Wednesday
Jackson 12 p.m. Thursday Wednesday
Charles River 12 p.m. Thursday Tuesday
Harlan 12 p.m. Thursday Wednesday

Please note: If you are ordering rodents to be housed under maximum isolation conditions or large animals, a two-week waiting period between placement of the order and delivery of the animals is required. This time period is needed to assure space for housing and to sterilize necessary equipment.

For delivery of all other laboratory animal species, please contact the Business Office (444-2194).

If you have special housing needs, please contact Ms. Tami Darvin (444-9646) two weeks in advance of placing your order.

 

How do I export animals to other institutions?

The DLAR routinely assists investigators in the shipping of animals to other institutions. It is important for the investigator to plan ahead since there are numerous steps that have to be completed by both the sending and receiving institutions. It normally takes a minimum of three weeks, from the time of initial request until the animals are shipped, to fulfill the requirements of the receiving institution and arrange shipment. The steps for exporting animals is outlined below:

Request For Exportation

  1. The investigator must complete an “Animal Shipping Request Form” on the FORMS page and hit the SUBMIT button.
  2. With the information provided by the investigator, the DLAR veterinary technician will contact the veterinarian at the receiving institution to determine what health surveillance information they require.

Export of Rodents

  1. DLAR will send the receiving veterinarian the most recent DLAR sentinel health surveillance report, along with a letter describing the surveillance program, assurance of general health status and special health related information about the animals, if applicable.
  2. If the receiving institution requests additional tests, or more recent testing results, we will work with the investigator to schedule and collect blood and/or fecal sample collection from their rodent colony. Samples will be sent for diagnostic testing and results will be sent to the receiving institution.
  3. After the receiving veterinarian reviews all health related information, he/she will contact the DLAR veterinarian/veterinary technician and approve shipment of animals to the receiving institution.
  4. Laurie Levine (444-7860) will be informed by the DLAR veterinarian, and she will arrange shipment of the animals, as follows:
    • Laurie will contact the investigator to complete an 'Rodent Export Form' and an 'Animal Shipping Request From' (both found on the FORMS page) and to properly mark the cages in the animal room for shipment.
    • Laurie will contact the shipping coordinator of the receiving institution and the shipping carrier to arrange ground or air transportation. The investigator will be contacted regarding the scheduled day of travel.
    • Please note that all rodents are shipped in pre-sterilized, filtered shipping boxes.
    • On the day of shipment, Laurie will work with the investigator staff to properly box all animals. Boxes will be labeled and all paperwork completed for carrier pick-up.
    • The receiving institution will confirm successfully arrival of the animals with Laurie.

Export of Non-rodents Species

  1. DLAR will contact the veterinarian at the receiving institution to determine what type of pre-shipping tests must be completed.
  2. The veterinarian will work with the investigator to schedule and collect blood and/or fecal sample collection from the animal(s). Samples will be sent for diagnostic testing and the test results, plus any other requested medical information, will be sent to the receiving institution.
  3. After the receiving veterinarian receives all health related information, he/she will contact, and approve, the shipment of the animal(s) through the DLAR veterinarian. All pertinent shipping health certificates will be completed.
  4. The DLAR veterinarian will the investigator and have the cages/pens properly marked in the animal room to clearly designate the animal(s) for shipment.
  5. The DLAR Business Office (444-2194) will contact the Business Office of the receiving institution and the shipping carrier to arrange ground and/or air transportation. The investigator will be contacted regarding the scheduled day of travel.
  6. On the day of shipment, DLAR staff will assure that all the animals are properly caged for transport and all paperwork completed.
  7. The receiving institution will confirm successfully arrival of the animals with DLAR veterinarian.

 

How do I import animals from another institution?

The DLAR routinely assists investigators in the importation of animals from other institutions (i.e. non-vendor sources). It is important for the investigator to plan ahead since there are numerous steps that have to be completed by both the sending and receiving institutions. It normally takes a minimum of three weeks, from the time of initial request until the animals are shipped, to fulfill the requirements of the receiving institution and arrange shipment. The steps for importing animals is outlined below:

Request for Importation

  1. The investigator must complete an “Animal Shipping Request Form” on the forms page and hit the SUBMIT button.
  2. With the information provided by the investigator, the DLAR veterinary technician will contact the veterinarian at the sending institution to request health surveillance information. The health surveillance testing must have been performed within the last three months. For large animal species, specific lab tests (based on the species), past medical history and dietary information will be requested.
  3. Before shipping arrangement can be made, all pertinent health information must be pre-reviewed by the veterinarian and the animals must be approved for shipment. Quarantine space must be located and reserved for housing incoming animals.

Importation of Rodents

  1. The veterinarian will pass the approved Animal Shipping Request form to the shipping coordinator. The business office will contact the sending institution that is responsible for arranging ground and/or air transportation. The investigator will be contacted regarding the anticipated day of arrival of the animals.
  2. All rodents will be shipped in pre-sterilized, filtered shipping boxes.
  3. The business office will contact the investigator when the animals arrive.

Quarantine Procedures for Rodents

  1. Healthy rodents approved for shipping will be received and housed in the clean quarantine area of the HSC facility. Please contact a DLAR veterinarian regarding the availability of quarantine space in other DLAR facilities. The minimum quarantine period is two months.
  2. All mice will be treated prophylactically with Fenbendazole® and Mite Arrest®. These medications treat for pinworms and fur mites, respectively.
  3.  A sentinel animal will be placed in the room within one week of arrival. Sentinel animals will be bled once per month.
  4. All rodents must remain in quarantine until two negative sentinel tests have been received. The veterinarian will then approve the release of the animals into the main colony.
  5.  If sentinel animals show positive test results during the quarantine period, or if the received animals become clinically ill, they will remain in quarantine. Each case will be individually evaluated to determine the most appropriate course of containment and elimination of the pathogen.
  6. Investigators may work with their animals while they are in quarantine under the following conditions:
    • Personnel may not be allowed to enter other areas of the facility after working with these animals.
    •  Personnel may not move these animals to other parts of the animal facility or their laboratories for experimental work, including non-survival procedures.
  7. Breeding of animals in quarantine is generally acceptable, although there may be space limitations due to the size of the quarantine rooms. Please check with a DLAR veterinarian if breeding of animals during the quarantine period is required.

Quarantine Procedures for Large Animals

Quarantine procedures, including lab tests and quarantine time required varies for each species of animals. Please contact a DLAR veterinarian to discuss the specific procedures.

Special Restrictions

Please be aware that there may be airline travel restrictions due to extremes in weather. The airlines will not accept animals for travel if the ambient temperatures at the shipping and receiving airports are outside their guidelines (usually <32°F or > 80°F.) These restrictions may delay receipt of animals.


 

Husbandry Related FAQs

Who Should I Contact Concerning Using Hazardous Materials in Animals?

Who Should I Contact Concerning Special Dietary Needs?

How Many Mice Can I House Per Cage?

How Do I Arrange Animal Transport Between Facilities?

Who Do I Contact Concerning Special Housing Needs?

Who Do I Contact For Housing Problems?

Who Should I Contact Concerning Animal Identification?

 

Who Should I Contact Concerning Using Hazardous Materials in Animals?

Research protocols may require the use of hazardous materials (radioisotopes, tumor cells, etc.) or agents (viruses, bacteria, etc.) in animals. The IACUC protocol, which details all aspects of animal use in the project, asks investigators to describe these procedures in detail. During completion of the IACUC protocol, the investigator should contact Mr. Chris Kuhlow (use of biological agents; 632-3717) and/or Mr. Sean Harling (use of radioactive materials; 632- 9674) for classification and requirements for working with biological agent(s), tumor cells and for any required licenses or permits.

All investigators who are working with animals must review the Vertebrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria in the CDC/NIH Biosafety in Medical and Biomedical Laboratories.

To determine what Biosafety level must be used when working with any biological material, review the Risk Group Classification for Infectious Agents in the BMBL.

The investigator should also contact a DLAR Veterinarian to discuss appropriate animal housing and protocols for working with the animals.

 

Who Should I Contact Concerning Special Dietary Needs?

If your animals require special (or restricted) food and/or water, these procedures must have been approved as part of your experimental procedures detailed in your IACUC protocol. If these procedures are new, and are not currently described in your IACUC protocol, an amendment must be sent to the Office of Research Compliance prior to any alteration in supply of food or water. Guidelines to assist investigators in completing an IACUC amendment can be found at the Research Compliance website.

Once an amendment is approved through the IACUC, a 'Special Food/Water Request' form can be filled out and submitted electronically. The request will be forwarded to the DLAR Colony Manager so that the feed and/or water changes can be explained to the animal caretaker assigned to the animal room. Cages/pens housing the animals will receive special tags and the request form will be placed on the animal room door.

 

How many mice can I house per cage?

DLAR Policy for The Maximum Number of Mice Housed Per Cage

The ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has guidelines for the maximum number of animals that can be legally housed per cage. Overcrowding of mice is in violation of these guidelines, and can jeopardize the University's AALAC accreditation status.

To assist investigators and DLAR staff in assuring that mice are not overcrowded, the following protocol must be followed:

  1. Standard mouse cages should house no more than 4 adult mice. Monogamous breeding pairs, or single pregnant females, should be placed in a large mouse breeding cage. Litters should be weaned at approximately 21 days of age.
  2. If a DLAR staff member find cages of mice that are overcrowded, the cage will be labeled and the investigator notified and asked to separate the animals.
  3. The investigator will be given 48 hours to correct the overcrowding problem.
  4. If the overcrowding problem has not been taken care of by the investigator the DLAR staff will separate the animals and transfer information from the old cage card onto a new cage card.
  5. If overcrowding is a recurrent problem with an investigator, the animal caretaker will notify their supervisor and/or a DLAR veterinarian.

 

How Do I Arrange Animal Transport Between Facilities?

The DLAR husbandry and/or veterinary personnel are responsible for transporting all animals between DLAR facilities. If an investigator needs animals transferred between facilities they should complete the “Facility Transfer” form. The forms are available in the main DLAR office or on the FORMS page.

Completed forms should be brought to the DLAR office or faxed to 444-8843.

 

Who Do I Contact Concerning Special Housing Needs?

If you will be receiving animals from a commercial vendor or importing animals from another institution that have special housing needs, please contact a DLAR veterinarian. The veterinarian will work with you regarding availability of space and caging and to determine if special husbandry and/or veterinary protocols for apppropriate housing and care are needed.

 

Who Do I Contact For Housing Problems?

Husbandry-related problems

7. Dr. Thomas Zimmerman (444-6978) is the Facility Director. Please contact him directly if you are having husbandry-related problems with the care being provided for your animals.

Business-related problems

Ms. Angela Wang (444-1165) is the DLAR Business Manager. Please contact her directly if you are having billing problems related to per diem, special recharges or animal orders.

 

Who Should I Contact Concerning Animal Identification?

I need my rodents permanently identified. What methods are available and who is responsible for marking the animals?

Investigators, especially those with rodent breeding colonies within the facility, are reminded of the importance of permanently identify their animals. Permanent identification will provide protection against mis-identification of animals that may occur due to: 1) phenotypic similarities between animals; 2) weaning of litters and segregation of breeding animals between cages; 3) animals from different investigators housed in the same room; and 4) handling of the animals by a variety of personnel.

The DLAR husbandry staff will place cage cards on rodent cages as the means of primary identification. However, if it is imperative to the research project that rodents be identified, either individually or by group, it will be the research investigators’ responsibility to permanently identify their animals. Possible identification methods include ear tagging, ear punching, subcutaneous microchip transponders or tail tattooing. It will also be the investigators responsibility to monitor their colonies to assure that animals are housed, or segregated, by identification number/method, as required, and that the identification (ear tag, ear punch, tattoo) is in place and/or legible.

The DLAR veterinary staff is available (444-2194) to discuss various identification methods and to provide training in identification techniques, if needed.


 

Policy Related FAQs

Who Do I Contact If I Have Animal Welfare Concerns?

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Responsibilities

  • Reviews and investigates all concerns about animal care and use and submits reports of its findings and recommendations to the University President.
  • Takes action to review, require amendments to or suspend protocols as appropriate.
  • Keeps records of the complaint, review and investigation, recommendations, and any action taken.
  • Ensures that information on the whistleblower policy is posted throughout the institution.

The Institutional Official (University President) Responsibilities

  • Receives the recommendations of the IACUC and takes appropriate action.
  • Reports any protocol suspensions, serious or ongoing deficiencies in animal welfare, or deviations from the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide), including minority views, to regulatory agencies.

Institutional Procedures for Animal Welfare Complaints/Concerns

  • Individuals should make every attempt to go through normal reporting channels in addressing their concerns about animal care and use. These include reporting the perceived problem to the attending veterinarian, their supervisor, or the facility manager, etc. If these reporting channels are not effective or are inappropriate, the IACUC acts as an independent review body to address concerns, make recommendations to the University President, or suspend protocols, as appropriate.
  • The individual may report a perceived problem either in writing or verbally, and the complaint may be anonymous.
  • The individual may report directly to any member of the IACUC, or through another person, such as the veterinarian or facility manager. The intermediary then reports the complaint to the IACUC Chair.
  • The IACUC Chair contacts involved personnel, evaluates the complaint and where there is suspected departure from the standards of animal care and use in the Guide or Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, may initiate a review process by calling a convened meeting of the IACUC.
  • If the IACUC determines that a potential threat exists to animal health or welfare, the committee may choose to suspend protocols pending the result of the investigation. All suspensions are also reported to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) and the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) via the University President within 24 hours.
  • Either the Chair, or the committee as a whole, may determine that the alleged complaint contains aspects that are outside of IACUC jurisdiction (i.e. scholarly misconduct). In those cases, the alleged complaint will be forwarded to the appropriate University official.
  • IACUC investigation of the complaint will include, if necessary visiting the site of the problem, interviewing or writing to personnel, reviewing questioned procedures, etc. The investigation will be performed thoroughly but expeditiously so as to minimize the potential for threats to animal welfare, or interruptions to research. A report of the findings is discussed at a convened meeting of the committee and a course of action to be taken is determined, and a vote taken to approve any action to be recommended. The course of action must be approved by a simple majority of the full committee.
  • The written recommendations of the IACUC are communicated to the University President in a timely manner, with any minority opinions attached.
  • Action is then taken according to the recommendations of the IACUC in consultation with the University President. All parties involved in the incident, including the whistleblower if known, are informed of the committee’s decision.
  • Following implementation of the committee actions and resolution of the incident, a final report is generated outlining the complaint, result of the investigation, actions taken and outcome. The final report is voted on at a convened meeting of the IACUC and then sent to OLAW through the University President.
  • The final report is kept on file with the IACUC records for a minimum of 3 years.
  • The Animal Welfare Act provides specific legal protection for those reporting concerns about animal health or welfare. No facility employee, committee member, or laboratory personnel shall be discriminated against or be subject to any reprisals for reporting violations of any regulation or standards under the Animal Welfare Act.


 

Surgery and Technical Service FAQs

What Technical Services Are Available?

Are Facilities Available For Rodent Survival Surgery?

Are Facilities Available For Large Animal Surgery?

 

What Technical Services Are Available?

DLAR Special Technical Services

The DLAR husbandry and/or veterinary staff are available to perform the special technical services listed below. These services are available on a recharge basis and are not included in the standard DLAR per diem charge.

  1. Breeding Colony Management
    • The management of breeding colonies may include: mating of animals, pregnancy checks, weaning of animals, record keeping, investigator contact and additional cage preparation and changing. These services will be provided by either the Rodent Breeding Colony Coordinator.
  2. Technical Assistance
    • Technical assistance may include the following: injections, collection of blood or other tissue samples, involvement in experimental procedures (administering medications, bandage changes, anesthesia support, intra-operative monitoring, post-operative monitoring and treatments) and euthanasia. These technical services will be provided by the Veterinary Technician.
  3. Veterinary Assistance
    • A DLAR veterinarian may participate in experimental procedures that are outside the scope of their normally assigned laboratory animal medicine clinical duties. This research involvement may involve surgery, clinical care or collaboration.
  4. Extended Post-procedural Care
    • Post-procedurally, the DLAR veterinarian staff may be asked to provide care. This care would include twice daily monitoring for health status and pain assessment, TPR, administration of medications and medical record keeping.
  5. Intensive Care Treatment and Monitoring
    • More intensive veterinary care may be required in some projects. Examples of the types of care provided include: 1) Diagnostic tests (X rays, bloodwork, culture and sensitivity); and 2) Clinical interventions (chest evacuation, parenteral nutrition, extensive wound care, IV fluid treatments, sedation for treatments). Additional types of clinical care would be provided based on individual need.

Special Technical Services - Recharge Rates (FY 2017/18)

Breeding Colony Management, Technical Assistance, Veterinary Assistance and Intensive Care Treatment and Monitoring services which are provided during normal working hours, are recharge as shown below. For these special services, we will recharge in a minimum of 1/4 hour increments. All rates include benefits.

Husbandry Supervisor/Breeding Colony Coordinator $60.00/hr
Veterinary Technician $60.00/hr
Veterinarian

$140.00/hr

If these technical services are provided after normal working hours, the recharge rate is 1.5X's the normal hourly rate.

Husbandry Supervisor/Breeding Colony Coordinator $90.00/hr
Veterinary Technician $90.00/hr
Veterinarian

$175.00/hr

The recharge rate for extended post-procedural care that involves a minimum of twice daily monitoring is based on the time required to provide the service.

Veterinary Technician $20.00 per day

 

Are Facilities Available For Rodent Survival Surgery?

General Information

  • OR rooms #2 (Maximum Isolation) and #3 (Conventional) are available, seven days a week, for rodent survival surgery.
  • Investigators must sign up for use of the surgical space. The sign up sheet is located outside the Veterinary Technicians office in the HSC facility. Space is available on a “first come-first serve” basis so it is recommended that investigators sign up one week in advance of the surgery date.
  • The surgery rooms, when not in use, are routinely locked because surgical equipment is stored in these areas. To gain access, please contact a member of the veterinary staff who will unlock the doors.

Weekend and After Hours Use

  • If surgical support supplies are needed (e.g. fluids, sterile instruments, gauze, etc.) the investigator must fill out an Investigator Supply Request Form stating what supplies are needed. These forms are located outside the Veterinary Technician's office (HSC, Rm 229). If supplies are needed for weekend surgeries, the request form must be turned in by Thursday, at noon, so that supplies can be gathered and/or autoclaved.

Investigator Responsibilities—Post-operatively

  • Red bag waste should be removed from the surgery room and placed in a barrel in the dead animal cold box.
  • All animal carcasses should be removed from the surgical suite, bagged and placed in a barrel in the dead animal cold box.
  • Dirty cages should be placed on the dirty side of the cage washer.

 

Are Facilities Available For Large Animal Surgery?

The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources has large animal survival and non-survival surgical suites available for investigator use on a recharge basis. Surgical support includes animal preparation, anesthesia support (gas or injectable anesthesia monitoring, EKG recording and pulse oximetery), and post-procedural monitoring and care.

General Information

  • Two survival surgery suites and one non-survival surgery suite are available, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • For veterinary surgical consultation, contact Dr. Tom Zimmerman (444-2194).
  • To schedule a surgical procedure, please contact Joan Pashinsky (joan.pashinsky@stonybrook.edu) (444-1160) or Jean Rooney (444-1161 or jean.rooney@stonybrook.edu) to get instructions for using the on-line calendar.
  • Investigators performing survival surgical procedures are highly encouraged to schedule surgeries Monday through Wednesday to allow for post-operative recovery time during the standard work week.
  • If surgical support supplies are needed (e.g. fluids, sterile instruments, gauze, etc.) the investigator should fill out an 'DLAR Veterinary Supply Request' form stating what supplies are needed. These forms are located outside the Veterinary Technicians office (HSC Rm 229), or on the FORMS page. Completed forms should be placed in the holder outside the office at least three (3) days before the scheduled surgery to allow time for autoclaving and/or gathering of supplies.

Surgical Services

  1. Animal Preparation - The DLAR veterinary staff will sedate and prep animals for surgery as part of the standard surgical rate.
  2. Anesthesia Support - The DLAR veterinary staff provides anesthesia support, as part of the standard surgical rate, including induction, intubation, gas or injectable anesthesia and intra/postoperative monitoring.
  3. Extended Post-procedural Care - The DLAR veterinarian staff can provide post-procedural care. This care includes twice daily monitoring for health status and pain assessment, TPR, administration of medications and medical record keeping. The recharge rate is $60/hour.
  4. Intensive Care Treatment and Monitoring - More intensive veterinary care may be required in some projects. Examples of the type of care available includes: 1) Diagnostic tests (X-rays, blood work, culture and sensitivity); and 2) Clinical interventions (chest evacuation, parenteral nutrition, extensive wound care, IV fluid treatments, sedation for treatments). Additional types of clinical care would be provided based on individual need. This level of care is provided on a recharge basis, as detailed below.

Surgical Recharge Rates (FY 2017/18)

The standard surgical rate includes:

  • Use of a surgical suite and equipment (sterile surgical packs, anesthesia machines, ventilators, EKG, pulse oximeter, bovie, suction, water blanket, etc.);
  • Isoflurane anesthesia
  • Routine supplies (IV catheters, fluids, endotracheal tubes, towels, drapes, needles, syringes, suture).

Please note - Additional costs may be incurred for extended surgeries or those that require additional or specialized drugs and supplies.

Standard Cost per Surgical Procedure  
Non-surgical procedures (sedation and prep only) $45.00
   
Gas Anesthesia:  
Minor Surgery (<1 hr) $90.00
Major surgery (<2 hr) $130.00
Major Surgery (2-4 hr) $170.00
Major Surgery (>4 hr) $210.00
   
Injectable Anesthesia:  
Minor Surgery (<1 hr) $80.00
Major surgery (<2 hr) $110.00
Major Surgery (2-4 hr) $140.00
Major Surgery (>4 hr) $170.00

 

Surgical Services Recharge Rates:  
Normal Working Hours = Monday-Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm  
Veterinary Technician $60.00/hr
Veterinarian $140.00/hr
   
Outside of Normal Working Hours  
Veterinary Technician $75.00/hr
Veterinarian $175.00/hr


 

Veterinary Service FAQs

Who Do I Contact For Veterinary Advice or Assistance?

Who Do I Contact If I Have A Sick Animal?

What Animal Related Training Is Available?

Is There An Occupational Health Program For Animal Users?

Are Diagnostic, Pathology or Laboratory Services Available?

How Do I Order Veterinary Drugs?

 

Who Do I Contact For Veterinary Advice or Assistance?

Veterinarian

Dr. Tom Zimmerman, DVM, MPVM, DACLAM (Director) is a boarded laboratory animal veterinarian who is available to the research community for consultation and assistance in the following areas:

  • Animal model selection;
  • Pre-review of IACUC protocols;
  • Personnel training in the care and use of laboratory animals;
  • Selection of anesthetics, analgesics and tranquilizing drugs;
  • Anesthesia monitoring;
  • Surgical and post-surgical care;
  • Experimental techniques in animals;
  • Disease detection, preventative medicine programs;
  • Diagnosis and treatment of disease;
  • Monitoring of research animal physical and psychological well-being;
  • Biohazard control procedures relevant to animal care and use program

Veterinary Technicians

Ms. Joan Pashinsky, and Ms. Jean Rooney, AS, BS, RVT, RLAT, are veterinary technicians with experience and training in laboratory animal medicine. They are available to research personnel for assistance with the following:

  • Pre-surgical prep;
  • Anesthesia induction, maintenance and monitoring;
  • Post-procedural care;
  • Injections;
  • Blood and tissue collection;
  • Animal identification (tattooing, ear tags);
  • Dispensing drugs and supplies;
  • Breeding colony management;
  • X-rays

All veterinary personnel can be reached at 444-2194.

 

Who Do I Contact If I Have A Sick Animal?

Research personnel are responsible for monitoring their experimental animals as approved in their IACUC protocols. If you identify animals with either experimentally or non-experimentally induced illness, please use the following procedures to notify the DLAR veterinary staff.

DLAR Contacts During Working Hours

Veterinary Staff (7:30 a.m. - 4:00p.m.; call 4-2194) Facility Pager #
Dr. Tom Zimmerman All Facilities (631) 279-2880
Ms. Joan Pashinsky All Facilities (631) 279-0871
Ms. Jean Rooney All Facilities (631) 279-2145

 

Supervisory Staff (7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; call 4-2194) Facility Pager #
Mr. Nicolas Ortiz HSC (631) 233-0659
Ms. Tami Darvin HSC (631) 279-2573

DLAR Veterinary Contacts After Working Hours (evenings/weekends/holidays)

Contact the veterinary staff by paging using the numbers listed above.

Information Needed About Sick Animals

Be prepared to provide the Veterinary or Supervisory staff with the following information. Label the animals’ cage(s) so they will be easy to locate.

  1. Investigators name/your name;
  2. Species of animal and animal ID number;
  3. Location of the animal (building, room #, rack or cage #);
  4. Signs of illness;
  5. Experimental manipulations the animal may have undergone;
  6. Phone number where you can be reached.

Emergency Situations

If an animal needs immediate veterinary care, either call (or come to) the DLAR office (4-2194). The DLAR main office will send an emergency (911) page to the veterinarian. If it is after hours, call the veterinarian on duty, as described above.

 

What Animal Related Training Is Available?

A. Introduction to the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources

This one hour, interactive presentation provides an overview of the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources and includes:

  • basics of the Stony Brook University animal care and use program;
  • organizational structure of the DLAR;
  • training opportunities available;
  • special housing and environmental enrichment opportunities for animals;
  • how to import and export animals;
  • who to contact within the department for assistance;
  • anesthesia and analgesia guidelines;
  • disease (zoonotic) hazards;
  • reference lists

Pertinent laws, regulations and policies regarding the care and use of laboratory animals, reporting of animal welfare concerns and how to complete an IACUC application are also discussed. This presentation is given quarterly in the DLAR classroom (BST, Level 1, Room 211) and is open to all research personnel. Please call the DLAR office (4-2194) to register, at least one week in advance of the workshop date. You may also email Veralynn Perillo for the current class schedule or for registration.

B. Training Workshops for Research Personnel

DLAR offers monthly hands-on training workshops for research personnel that focuses on basic experimental techniques with common laboratory animal species. These training workshops are available, at no cost, to all SBU research personnel working with laboratory animals. Workshops will be held in the DLAR Training Area (BST, Level 1, Room 221) generally from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. There will be one instructor for every four participants. Sign-ups are on a first-come-first-served basis and will be limited to 12 participants. Please call the DLAR main office (4-2194) to register at least 2 weeks in advance of the workshop date.

Workshops Available:

  • Rodent Survival Surgery
  • Basic Laboratory Techniques — Mice and Rats
  • Basic Laboratory Techniques in Rabbits
  • Humane Methods of Euthanasia in Laboratory Animals

If you have questions about the content of the workshops or have special training needs, please contact the DLAR veterinarian.

 

Is There An Occupational Health Program For Animal Users?

For more information, please visit the Investigator Occupational Medicine Program page.

Are Diagnostic, Pathology or Laboratory Services Available?

Animal diagnostic, necropsy and histopathology services available through DLAR are as follows:

Diagnostic Services

  • Non-experimentally induced diseases – Animals who are ill will be worked-up by the DLAR veterinarian, in consultation with the principle investigator. If diagnostic tests are indicated, samples will be collected and sent to a commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory or performed in-house (total protein, HCT, fecal floats, skin scrapings). The costs for these tests are included as part of the standard per diem.
  • Experimentally induced diseases – animals who are ill secondary to an experimental procedure will be worked–up by the DLAR veterinarian, in consultation with the principle investigator. If the veterinarian determines that diagnostic tests are indicated, samples will be collected and sent to a commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory. The costs for these tests will be recharged to the investigator.
  • Radiographs – DLAR has both stationary and mobile x-ray units and an automatic film processor. These units are used primarily for diagnostic purposes and the cost for diagnostic radiographs is included in the standard per diem. If an IACUC approved research project requires the use of radiographs, the veterinary staff will work with the investigator to take the film(s). The veterinary staff will then process the film(s). Recharges for experimental radiographs, including processing, for each film are: 8” x 10” film ($10.50), 10” x 12” film ($12.50) and 14” x 17” ($14.50).

Necropsy and Histopathology Services

  • Necropsy – Gross necropies will be performed by the DLAR veterinarian upon request by the principle investigator or if the veterinarian determines that a necropsy is warranted. Necropsies are included as part of the standard per diem.
  • Histopathology – Tissues may be collected during gross necropsy for histopathology. Samples will be sent to the University of Missouri – Research Animal Diagnostics and Investigative Laboratory. Histopathology costs for non-experimentally related diseases are included in the standard per diem and costs for experimentally related diseases are recharged to the principle investigator.

 

How Do I Order Veterinary Drugs?

The DLAR provides veterinary drugs for use in approved IACUC protocols. Many standard anesthetic, antibiotic and analgesic drugs are routinely kept in stock. Other drugs will need to be special ordered. DLAR places a 15% recharge on the all drug purchases to recover the cost of ordering, stocking, dispensing and DEA record keeping.

For all drugs, except Class 2 drugs (pentobarbital, oxymorphone):

  1. 1) Contact the DLAR Veterinary Technician (joan.pashinsky@stonybrook.edu or jean.rooney@stonybrook.edu)by e-mail. Complete the Drug Order Form and include the following information:
    • Drug(s) needed (drug, concentration, amount)
    • Principle Investigator
    • Name of person requesting the drugs
    • Date the drugs are needed
    • Lab phone number
    • IACUC protocol #
  2. If you do not have e-mail access, the drug order forms are available outside the Vet Technician’s office (HSC Rm 229). Complete the form and attach it onto the clipboard outside this office.
  3. Drug requests made before 2:00 p.m. will be available for pick – up in the main DLAR office by 10:00 a.m. the next morning. If requests are made after 2:00 p.m., pick-up will be after 2:00 p.m. the next day.
  4. Contact either Jean or Vera in the main DLAR business office to pick up the drugs. If you are picking up Ketamine®, you must return your most recent log sheet before additional drugs will be dispensed.
  5. You will be asked to sign off for the drugs received.

For all Class 2 drugs (pentobarbital, oxymorphone)

  1. Contact the DLAR Veterinary Technician (joan.pashinsky@stonybrook.edu or jean.rooney@stonybrook.edu)by e-mail and set-up an appointment.
  2. Class 2 drugs require the completion of DEA related paperwork and must be properly secured at all times, therefore, it is not possible to pick them up in the DLAR business office.