1. Clinical veterinary services and consultation are provided by the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR). The director of the DLAR serves as the Attending Veterinarian with authority to exercise duties required by ETSU policies, professional standards, and federal agencies to assure adequate veterinary care and ethical and humane use of laboratory animals. The Director of the DLAR is responsible for adequate veterinary care and service both in the clinical and regulatory sense. He/she has administrative authority to make immediate decisions when animal health or humane use is an issue. The veterinarian monitors the animal disease prevention program, provides clinical care for all animals used, and monitors the survival surgery program.
2. Daily health surveillance of the animals is provided by technicians and caretakers according to criteria and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) established by the DLAR according to federal requirements and guidelines and common veterinary practices.
3. Sick or injured animals are reported to the animal health technician or the Assistant Director of the DLAR, who will make an evaluation, provide immediate emergency treatment if necessary, and contact the Attending Veterinarian. The veterinarian will examine the animal as soon as possible, proceed with the diagnosis, inform the investigator, and arrange for treatment of the animal if indicated.
4. The Attending Veterinarian has the authority to make unannounced visits to research laboratories where animals are used, to assure compliance with federal standards and to immediately halt unacceptable procedures if animal health or inhumane use are issues.
5. Investigators who perform surgical procedures or other stress-producing studies involving laboratory animals must consult with the Attending Veterinarian. The veterinarian will review surgical procedures, use of pain-relieving drugs, post-surgical care procedures and records.
6. The Attending Veterinarian is responsible for clinical and preventive medicine programs and assures compliance to campus policies governing animal health and use.
7. The Attending Veterinarian reviews all animal use protocols for humane handling of the animals and compliance with applicable standards.
8. The Attending Veterinarian supervises the procurement, receipt, and quarantine of all experimental animals used at ETSU. All animals used must be purchased from USDA licensed dealers, or received from other approved sources.
9. The Attending Veterinarian gives guidance to students, technical staff, and faculty in the proper handling and treatment of animals.
10. The Attending Veterinarian supervises the training of the animal care staff according to guidelines recommended by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.
11. The Attending Veterinarian participates in planning of the construction or renovation of animal housing and support facilities at ETSU.