Animal Program: Sedatives, Analgesics, and Anesthetics

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Policy Number:
UW-4088
Old Policy Number:
1999-010-v
Responsible Office:
Research Animal Resources and Compliance

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy details the responsibility and use of sedatives, analgesics, and anesthetics to prevent and alleviate pain and distress in animals used in research, teaching, or agriculture at the UW-Madison.

Policy:
  1. In accordance with U.S. Government Principles for the Care and Use of Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training IV and V, procedures that cause pain or distress in humans should be considered to cause similar effects in animals, including late-term fetuses, unless the contrary is established.  The avoidance or minimization of discomfort, distress, and pain when consistent with sound scientific practices, is imperative.  Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress should be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia.
  2. The Attending Veterinarian and research animal veterinarians have the authority to ensure the provision of adequate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia.
  3. Methods or agents to prevent or alleviate pain or distress in research animals must meet the approval of the research animal veterinary staff. Consultation with a research animal veterinarian concerning appropriate management of potential pain and distress is a critical component of protocol development.
  4. Methods or agents to prevent or alleviate pain or distress in research animals must be described in detail in the animal care and use protocol. The withholding of analgesics or anesthetics, or deviation from the recommendations of the veterinary staff, must be strongly justified in the animal use protocol.
  5. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) has the ultimate responsibility for approving pain management methods and agents in protocols to ensure that pain and distress in research animals is limited to that which is necessary for the conduct of animal activities. The IACUC will consult research animal veterinarians during review of protocols that contain painful or distressful procedures to ascertain that control of pain and distress is provided while still achieving research objectives.
  6. Use of ether as an anesthetic agent is not permitted under any circumstances due to animal welfare and human safety concerns. 

 

 

Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Attending Veterinarian
Policy Manager:
Attending Veterinarian
Contact:
IACUC Administrator -- Gayle Orner, orner@rarc.wisc.edu, (608) 262-5363
Effective Date:
12-14-1999
Date Issued:
12-14-1999
Revised Dates:

06-01-2008, 07-01-2015, 05-01-2019, 03-04-2025

Reviewed Dates:

9/1/2017

Retrieved:
10-11-2025 00:44:45