eRAM: V2 Identification of Pain or Distress

Overview

Humane endpoints, which contribute to refinement, are the earliest point at which pain or distress in an experimental animal can be prevented, terminated, or relieved. When pain or distress is a potential or expected consequence of any animal activity, humane endpoints must be established. Appropriate monitoring of all animals is required to address animal health and well-being before they reach their humane endpoints.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Click Update.

2. Select Yes/No if death as an endpoint will be employed.
   Note If Yes is selected, scientific justification as to why an earlier endpoint is not acceptable must be provided.

3. Select Yes/No if any animals are expected to experience more than momentary pain and distress during their life as a research animal.
   Note The questions in steps 4-8 only display if the second question is answered Yes. If No was selected, then go to step 9.

4. Select Yes/No to provide assurance that alternatives to procedures that cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress have been considered.
   Notes

• If Yes is selected, for USDA species or protocol external funding (PAFs) that have a DOD sponsor, an extra question will display to enter the written narrative description of the methods and sources used to determine that alternatives were not available.
• If No is selected, provide scientific rationale.

5. Select Yes/No to provide assurance that expected pain and/or distress be alleviated with pain management drugs and/or other interventions.
   Note If No is selected, provide scientific reason(s).

6. Enter the expected adverse consequences that an animal may experience that do NOT reach the threshold for euthanasia.

7. Select Yes/No to provide assurance that standard humane endpoints will be followed for all animals that show signs of illness.
   Note If No is selected, provide humane endpoint(s) reason(s).

8. Enter the minimum frequency by which animals will be monitored for the defined humane endpoints.

9. Select Yes/No to provide assurance that any unforeseen or unintended adverse events or outcome(s) will be reported to a veterinarian if clinical care is required or to the IACUC.
   Notes

• If No is selected, provide rationale.
• For non-USDA species, the Protocol Animal Numbers by Category and Total Authorized are displayed at the bottom of the page. For USDA species, extra questions will display to be completed regarding the USDA Categories.

10. Click OK.

11. Click Save.