Animal Usage at The University of Toledo

 

SPECIES
2002
2003
2004
2005
Hamsters
83
72
29
0
Rabbits
15
9
8
9
Non-Human Primates
6
0
0
0
Bats
9
14
12
0
Lab Mice
102
N/A
N/A
N/A
Lab Rats
224
N/A
N/A
N/A

USDA Inspections in 2002 reveals animal care problems for the university.

Aug 29, 2002

The attending veterinarian (AV) signed a monthly veterinary report from 8-01-02 and 8-23-02 that all rabbits are well.

On 8-29-02, rabbit K-4 was found to have a bilateral dilation of the pupils and appears to have a chronic eye problem.

Rabbit H-4 was noted as having bilateral discharge and left eye was completely closed and hair around the eye is matted.

There is no documentation of either rabbit having any eye problem. But then when you only visit the rabbit room twice a week how would you know. It was recommended that both rabbits be evaluated by an outside laboratory veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

October 17, 2002

There are several veterinary medical issues that relate to rabbits K-4 and J-8 (killed for chronic hairball). Rabbits J-8 and H-4 were killed in a tupperware container with CO2.

The eye problems with rabbit K-4 had been going on for a long time and resulted in blindness. A diagnosis of chronic glaucoma was missed by the AV.

Rabbit W-1 was seen on 7-9-02 and it is noted that a tumor on the right rear leg had broken through the skin. The rabbit had not eaten since 7-5-02. USDA writes that the rabbit "did not receive prompt veterinary care and went 3 days without intervention from the AV.

Rabbit J-8

Sometime in September this female rabbit began to have problems. The inspection reports note:

Rabbit J-8 had no physical exam given by the AV at the onset of its appetite loss. She went 9-10 days without veterinary intervention and 7 days without defecation. An enema was given on 9-13-02.

The animals suffering doesn't end. An injectable antibiotic was stopped for 3 days, 9-13-02 to 9-15-02. The inspector records this note - "The Research Animal Manager stated that around Sept 13 & 14, 2002 the AV told him to get a bar of soap and dissolve it in water and drench the rabbit for two days by a tube in the mouth for the potential gastrointestinal problem. This is not documented in the veterinary care records and in not consistent with professional standards. Drenching is contraindicated in cases of suspected hairball due to possible rupture of the stomach. Records indicate that this rabbit had a large hairball." Inspection report

Rabbit J-8 was killed by CO2 on 9-20-02 in a tupperware container. USDA nor IACUC have inspected this death chamber, a tupperware container.

USDA writes: "This is inappropriate and inadequate veterinary care."

The 2004 and 2005 numbers are from the USDA Annual Report that is filed every year by research facilities.