OHSU

Services

Animal Husbandry and Care

DCM provides care for common laboratory animal species such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, amphibians, swine, sheep, hamsters, dogs, cats, fish, poultry, monkeys, and chinchillas. Our husbandry program includes feeding and watering, cage cleaning and room sanitation, plus observation and health assessment of laboratory animals.

Overnight housing of living animals in your laboratory is prohibited unless you request and receive IACUC committee approval.

Training

Federal law and University policy mandate training to ensure appropriate care and use of laboratory animals. The Department of Comparative Medicine provides training for new laboratory animal users. Scientists who employ research technicians should have new staff attend our training programs to perfect their skills. In addition, we will provide lectures, workshops or, one-to-one demonstrations to increase the capabilities of scientists or their technical staffs. You should contact the Department of Comparative Medicine to review your expertise and potential needs before planning animal projects.

Service

The Department of Comparative Medicine consists of laboratory animal technicians, technologists, animal health specialists, and veterinarians. Information on animal health, species physiology, animal models, monitoring, restraint/handling techniques, and surgical anesthesia methods are available from the DCM.

DCM provides individualized services to investigators to facilitate animal use programs. Sample collection, radiographic evaluation, breeding program management, transgenic animal development, and special caging are examples of the services available. Our staff can develop technical or veterinary services to meet investigator needs.