Veterinary Services

The primary mission of Veterinary Services (VS) is to safeguard and enhance the health and welfare of experimental animals, ensuring that researchers have access to high-quality animals for their studies. VS collaborates closely with Husbandry Services to ensure all animals are observed daily, with any health concerns evaluated by veterinary technicians. If needed, VS establishes treatment plans in consultation with investigators, and animals showing morbidity or mortality can be submitted to Tufts Comparative Pathology Services for necropsy. This is part of an extensive health and disease monitoring program.

In addition to health care, VS manages enrichment programs tailored to each species, ensuring their physical and mental well-being. They also serve as an institutional resource for matters related to analgesics, anesthetics, and animal anatomy and physiology. Daily and weekly health assessments, particularly for rodents and non-rodent species, are performed to maintain stringent welfare standards.

VS is also committed to staff training, offering a comprehensive program that includes IACUC-mandated new investigator training, specialized wet labs, and hands-on sessions. Investigative staff can receive instruction on animal handling, blood withdrawal, injections, anesthesia, and surgical techniques through courses such as Rodents 101, 102, 103, and 201. Custom training sessions are available upon request, ensuring all staff are equipped with the necessary skills to maintain best practices in animal care.