Animal Records Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Acidosis
Acidosis is an increased acidity (decreased pH) of blood plasma. This is something that can occur in both humans and animals and can be caused by stress.
Alopecia
Alopecia means baldness or hair loss which occurs in both humans and animals. In some cases, monkeys may overgroom, like family pets often do, resulting in patches of thinning hair.
Animal numbers
Each monkey is assigned a number, just as a hospital patient is assigned a number upon admission. While many monkeys are also given names by their daily caretakers, numbers are a more efficient way than names of ensuring that the right animal is receiving the right health care.
Auscultation with stethoscope
Auscultation is listening. This means that either the animal's heart or lungs were listened to with a stethoscope.
B
BAR
BAR if a common notation that stands for “bright, alert and responsive.” In other words, the animal is normal.
Baytril
Baytril is an antibiotic.
Birth/death
In almost every case, animals are born at the center and live their entire lives at the center. Importing animals from other countries is rare. At ONPRC, many monkeys are born in breeding corrals and live a healthy life, longer than that of an animal in the wild, due to regular veterinary care and regular care and feeding. While some animals are sacrificed as part of a research protocol, this happens to a small percentage of animals at the center. On average, animals at the center live for approximately 20 years.
Body as a whole
This refers to a full body exam, like a human physical.
Breeders
A breeder monkey means that the animal lives in an outdoor group, in many cases much larger than any zoo enclosure, where it lives and breeds with other monkeys. The majority of animals at ONPRC live outdoors.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is an analgesic (pain reliever).
C
Cages
While most animals live outdoors at the primate center, most of the animals live in groups of two or more. This means that two or more animals share a large cage (two cages joined together) where they can groom one another, an important behavior for monkeys. However in some cases, animals may need to live in cages without partners. For instance, if the animal is outfitted with a catheter (a small vest connected to an IV line), the animal must live singly for safety reasons. In other cases, animals are not compatible with others and live in single cages. However, in no cases, are animals allowed to live in isolation. All animals live in groups in a room and must be in direct sight of other animals, allowing for communication between animals.
Corrals
Corrals are large (1 or 2 acre), outdoor enclosures that have a ground cover of grass and contain several huts as well as play structures. The monkeys in the corrals live in large groups and are able to engage in many normal monkey behaviors such as grooming and foraging.
D
Dehydration
This is a lack of water in the body due to inadequate intake of fluids or excessive loss (through illness). While animals at the primate center have 24/7 access to water, dehydration may be a sign of illness so it is noted in records whenever dehydration is suspected. Unlike humans, animals cannot communicate their day-to-day health. Therefore, many records will note suspicion of dehydration and other possible signs of illness.
Dental care
Unlike animals in the wild, monkeys at ONPRC receive dental care. During their dental work the animals are given a sedative so that they can remain calm.
Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory drug given to both humans and animals.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is relatively common in nonhuman and human primates and one of the reasons why stool samples are frequently noted in animal care records. Diarrhea is frequently noted in zoos and primate centers. It is likely also very common in the wild. This is one reason why animals at ONPRC are proactively given parasite medications to prevent illness.
Diets
A normal monkey diet includes monkey chow, a nutritionally balanced mixture, and various daily treats such as fruit and vegetables. In some cases an animal is on a specialized diet for a study protocol. For instance, an animal may be placed on a high-fat diet for an obesity study.
E
Environmental and social enhancement diagnosis
This section of the record refers to the psychological well being of a monkey in terms of its environment and social enrichment. Enrichment specifically refers to efforts designed to enhance the quality of care for the animals and includes various devices designed to promote foraging and exploration as well as providing social opportunities.
Euthanize
Just like an aging family pet, sometimes animals must be euthanized for humane reasons. Also, sometimes animals are euthanized as part of a research protocol. This is done in a painless way, by giving the animal an IV of an anesthetic, the same measure used to put a pet dog or cat to sleep.
F
G
Geographic origin
This term refers to the original origin of the monkeys. In the late 90's some animals at ONPRC came from China. However for many reasons, most animals are now bred at ONPRC.
H
Herpesvirus
As in humans, monkeys can be lifelong carriers of a herpesvirus similar to the virus that causes cold sores in humans. This virus (herpes B or Cercopithecine Herpesvirus 1) does not generally pose much risk to the health of the monkeys but can be very serious in humans. Therefore testing is frequently conducted to ensure staff safety and herpes tests are frequently noted in animal records.
I
IACUC
IACUC stands for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. These committees are required by the Animal Welfare Act and are made up of researchers, animal care experts veterinarians and a member of the public. IACUCs must approve all research protocols that involve animals prior to their initiation and annually thereafter. Frequently, the IACUC asks for more information or changes to a study plan to ensure the best animal care possible. In addition, if a protocol is changed by the scientist, IACUC approval is required.
Implants
Implants often refer to reproductive studies where a small pump is implanted in an animal to increase hormone levels much like hormone therapy treatment in humans. Implanting a small pump keeps the animal from having to wear a catheter and keeps them from being restricted in any way.
Ivermectin
Ivermectin is a parasite medication given to most animals to proactively prevent lung mites, much like the family dog is given heartworm medication.
J
K
Ketamine
Ketamine is commonly used in veterinary medicine. Most medical records will mention the use of ketamine at some point during an animal's lifetime. Ketamine is an anaesthetic for human and veterinary use. Since it suppresses breathing much less than most other available anesthetics, ketamine is still used in human medicine as an anaesthetic for victims with unknown medical history. In veterinary medicine, ketamine is often used for its anaesthetic effects on cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, and other small animals. For instance, a veterinarian may prescribe ketamine to sedate a monkey during a physical exam.
L
M
Medical DX
This entry, which is very common in animal care records, refers to any health diagnosis or care the animal receives.
N
O
Oophorectomy
An oophorectomy (or ovariectomy) is the surgical removal of the ovaries. In the case of pets, this is also called spaying. Removal of ovaries causes hormonal changes and symptoms equivalent to menopause. This is why animals are sometimes spayed as part of a menopause study.
P
Parasites
Tests and treatments for internal parasites are common to ensure the health of the monkeys. Monkeys do not get flees and tics as in the case of dogs and cats.
Pathology
Pathology is defined as the study of the origin of disease. Whether an animal dies from natural causes or as part of a research project, each and every animal receives a post mortem examination (or necropsy). This is done to ensure that there are no infectious disease outbreaks or parasites present that pose a danger to other animals. The examinations also add to the body of knowledge that helps improve health for animals in captivity.
Pentobarbitol sodium
Pentobarbitol sodium is commonly used for veterinary euthanasia. It is given as an injection and is very humane. Pentobarbital has also been used for physician-assisted suicide in humans in the past.
Pitocin
Pitocin is a medication commonly used to induce contractions of the uterus. It is used to induce labor and to help cause the uterus to shrink down to a pre-pregnant size after delivery of an infant without complications.
Polymoxin B+ Bacitracin
These are antibiotics that are placed on the skin and used for both humans and animals to prevent or treat infection.
Pool assignments
Pool assignments refer to what the animal does at the center. For instance, some monkeys, called breeders, are simply here to breed with other monkeys.
Pyrantel pamoate
This is a parasite medication given to most animals to proactively prevent internal parasites, much like the family dog is given heartworm medication.
Q
R
Radiology
Radiology is a technical term for medical imaging (such as x-rays or MRI). Imaging may be conducted for health reasons or as part of a research protocol. Imaging is non-invasive. However, frequently, animals are given a sedative such as ketamine to ensure that they remain relaxed during the testing.
Reproductive history
The reproductive history page of an animal care record may note births for female monkeys or menstrual cycles for monkeys living indoors. Note: The menstrual cycles for a monkey living outdoors are not be tracked, therefore, reports may be blank.
Rhesus Macaque
One of the most common non-human primate species involved in biomedical research are rhesus macaque monkeys. This is due to many similarities between these animals and humans. There are also many established data on this species which allows for better translation of research findings from animals to humans.
S
Shigellosis/shigella
Shigellosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Shigella. Shigella and other varying forms of bacteria can cause diarrhea. Some of these bacteria tend to be a larger problem in very heavy rain seasons such as during the Oregon floods of 1996.
Sick
Any sign, even a minor sign, that an animal is not feeling well is often designated as “sick” in a report for further investigation by a veterinarian. In many cases, sick can refer to a minor illness, such as loose stool. Otherwise, more details would be noted.
Specimen collection
Occasionally a specimen, such as a swab of saliva or a blood sample, is taken to check on the health of an animal or as part of a research study. A new program at the center allows animals to be trained to present an arm for a blood sample and rewarded with a treat. This limits stress for the animal.
Stool samples
Unlike human health records, animal care records frequently note stool sample results. This is because like weight, stool samples can provide a lot of information about the general health of an animal, especially given the fact that unlike humans, an animal cannot communicate regarding how it feels on a particular day.
Surgery
Animals may receive surgery for health reasons at the center. Some research projects may also involve surgery. In many cases, ONPRC has developed minimally-invasive or endoscopic surgical methods. All procedures take place in specialized surgical rooms using the same technologies that are used in human surgeries. In fact, animals receive equal or greater amounts of pain care than humans because of their inability to communicate their wishes.
T
Tattooing
Just like a patient admitted to the hospital, animals receive numbers at the center for identification purposes. The numbers are tattooed on the monkeys as there is no other system for ensuring that a monkey is identified correctly, especially when the animal lives in a large group. Note: unlike human tattoos, animals are placed under anesthesia and given treatment for pain or discomfort.
Tissues
Tissue is body material made up of large numbers of cells that are similar in function (ex: muscle tissue). Groups of similar tissues make up body organs. Following a pathology examination, tissues may be used for a variety of studies following the animal’s death. One animal can provide data for numerous health studies.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease of the lung. Throughout the records you will see many references to tuberculosis (TB) testing. This is because TB poses a large threat to monkeys so much effort is placed into ensuring that both animals and employees are TB free. A single case could affect hundreds of animals.
Tiletamine and Zolazepam
Tiletamine is an anesthetic chemically-related to ketamine. Like ketamine, it is often used to sedate an animal. Zolazepam is used to reduce stress and is frequently used in combination with Tiletamine.
Transfers
Animals are frequently transferred within the center. Transfers to other primate centers are much less common but can occur when animals are uniquely qualified for a research project. Sometimes animals are transferred between units of the center for research reasons. Other times animals are transferred for the animal's own well-being.
U
V
Virology/serology
Virology is the study of viruses and the diseases caused by them. Serology is the study of blood serum. Animals at ONPRC are regularly tested for a variety of illnesses for the continued health of the animal and for other animals that it lives with.
W
Weight
Weight is tracked closely in all animal care records as it is an overall indication of the animal's health.
