Guideline #7

Multiple Major Survival Surgical Procedures

1. References: USDA Animal Welfare Act Regulations & Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition.

2. A major survival surgery is defined as a surgery that penetrates and exposes a body cavity, involves orthopedic surgery, or produces significant impairment of body function. Based on the USDA Animal Welfare Act Regulations (Ref: 2.31(d)(1)(x)(A) and (B), and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th ed. p.30, the K-State IACUC discourages multiple major survival surgical procedures on a single animal.

3. The need for multiple major survival surgeries must be scientifically justified and approved by the IACUC, and in some instances, the IO must request approval from USDA/APHIS to allow a regulated animal to undergo multiple major survival surgical procedures.

4. Animals may undergo multiple major survival surgeries only when justified in the protocol and approved by IACUC, or necessary as an emergency or for veterinary medical reasons. If a protocol involves USDA regulated animals, multiple major survival surgeries may also require USDA permission, and this must be communicated via IACUC to the IO, who will contact the USDA.

LAST REVIEWED AND ADOPTED BY THE IACUC: July 21, 2022