LAR Standard Operating Procedures

Dwarf Hamster Husbandry and Care

Last updated: November 7, 2012

I. Purpose

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines the animal care requirements associated with the daily husbandry of dwarf hamsters to ensure consistent and uniform care. This procedure applies to all personnel involved in the care of dwarf hamsters housed in the Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) facility on the campus of the University of Montana.

II. Policy

It is an LAR policy to meet or exceed all federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines and to comply with all institutional policies and procedures as they apply to the use of animals in research. LAR personnel must pass on-line animal training modules and attend applicable training in animal care and use, occupational health and safety, and equipment operation prior to performing activities outlined in this SOP. Animal housing rooms should be entered using appropriate personal protective gear for the species and disease or hazard containment level.

III. Husbandry and Care Procedures

Morning observation:

• Record room temperature: room temperature should be no higher than 67^oF, preferably ~64^oF (if temperature exceeds 67F, contact Dr. Good or someone in his group immediately and inform the Facility Manager).
• Check for any special feeding or watering instructions.
• Observe animals for signs of disease, illness or injury.
• Check to see if dwarf hamsters are eating and drinking water.
• Light timers are on a 14L-10D light cycle. Do not touch automated light timers. Contact Facility Manager as soon as possible if a light issue arises.

Daily routine

• Observe animals for signs of disease or illness as above.
• Top off all water bottles (if ½ full or less) daily, check that lixits are free from debris before replacing on bottles.
• Wipe down counter surfaces with MB-10.
• Sweep and mop the floor with Quatricide-PV (½ oz : 2 liters water) in mop bucket.
• Empty trash.
• Replenish bedding and feed bin as needed (check for expiration of feed) and fill out index card on bedding and food bins after sanitizing containers and refill.
• Fill out checklist sheet, census sheet and initial daily log.
• Report any animal illness or deaths to Dr. Good or someone in his group and the Facility Manager as soon as possible.

Weekend routine

• Follow daily routine except do not mop floor.

Weekly routine

• To be completed by Dr. Good’s lab personnel.
• Download data from HOBO data logger on day length and temperature.

Every 2 weeks

• Complete cage change.
• Exchange cage with clean dwarf hamster cage.
• Prepare cages with clean autoclaved SaniChip bedding, clean feeders, clean water bottles, and new enrichment devices (sunflower seeds, nestlets, wooden blocks, paper towel rolls or egg carton houses, autoclaved).
• Remove dwarf hamster from dirty cage and gently place into the clean cage and transfer cage card.
• Wash dirty caging unit, bottles, and feeders in cage washer.  Store clean items in HS007.

Monthly

• All Surface Clean (ASC) animal housing rooms, wash walls, feed bins, sinks, counters, light diffusers, floors, and threshold with disinfectant. Let stand 10 minutes and rinse with clean water.  Dry surfaces with paper towels if necessary.
• Initial checklist, ASC sheets and daily log.