Veterinary Care

HOW TO OBTAIN VETERINARY CARE

When any person believes an animal is abnormal, sick, in discomfort, or otherwise requires aid, a call requesting veterinary care should be placed to the Laboratory Animal Program (LAP) office. The LAP must be notified of each abnormal animal even if the investigator / instructor is a veterinarian.

The following procedures should be used to obtain veterinary care for abnormal, ill or injured animals:

Normal Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Call the LAP office (494-9163) and tell the individual answering that you would like to request veterinary care. NOTE: Failure to call this number / calling a specific veterinarian or veterinary technician may result in veterinary care delays.

1. When reporting an abnormal animal, please be prepared to provide the following information:
   
• Animal Identification
• Animal Species
• Animal Housing Site & Room Number
• Investigator’s Name
• Your Name & The Phone Number Where The Veterinary Technician / Veterinarian Can Reach You
• Brief Description Of Problem
• Based Upon Your Knowledge Of The Species, Would You Consider the Problem A Medical Emergency?
  
  
2. Make sure a red, LAP Identification Tag (available from your facility manager) is placed on the animal’s enclosure. This will assist the veterinarian or veterinary technician in identifying the animal to be evaluated.
   
   
3. Complete the upper information on the Clinical Activity Report. Blank copies are available from your facility manager.

Evenings, Weekends and Holidays:

Call the LAP office (494-9163) and listen to the recorded message to obtain information on how to contact the veterinarian/veterinary technician on call.

1. 1. Call the veterinarian or veterinary technician listed as the “on call” person and be prepared to provide the following information:
   
   
   • Animal Identification
   • Animal Species
   • Animal Housing Site & Room Number
   • Investigator’s Name
   • Your Name & The Phone Number Where The Veterinary Technician / Veterinarian Can Reach You
   • Brief Description Of Problem
   • Based Upon Your Knowledge Of The Species, Would You Consider the Problem A Medical Emergency?
   
   
   If you do not reach the “on call” person at home, leave a message on the home answering machine providing the same information. After leaving the message, page the “on call” person at the number obtained from the LAP office recording. (Note: enter the 7 digits of the phone number where you can be reached when the paging system gives the “beep” signal).
   
   
2. Make sure a red, LAP Identification Tag (available from your facility manager) is placed on the animal’s enclosure. This will assist the “on call” person in identifying the animal to be evaluated.
   
   
3. Complete the upper information on the Clinical Activity Report (example attached). Blank copies are available from your facility manager.