IACUC Policy 018: Veterinary Verification & Consultation (VVC) Eligibility
- Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to define the criteria and process by which certain significant changes to approved IACUC protocols may be administratively reviewed and verified through Veterinary Verification and Consultation (VVC). This mechanism ensures that modifications (i.e. Amendments) are scientifically and ethically sound while maintaining compliance with federal regulations and institutional standards.
- Scope: This policy applies to all animal research activities conducted under the oversight of the OHIO IACUC. It specifically governs the use of VVC for reviewing eligible significant changes to approved protocols, including modifications related to anesthesia, analgesia, sedation, experimental substances, euthanasia methods, and procedural parameters. It also outlines the limitations of VVC.
- Policy: Any changes to an already approved IACUC protocol must be approved by the IACUC prior to implementation. The significant changes described in this IACUC reviewed and approved VVC policy may be handled administratively in consultation with the Attending Veterinarian (AV). The AV is serving as a subject matter expert to verify that compliance with this policy is appropriate for the animals in this circumstance. This review will be submitted, processed and documented in Cayuse. The AV may refer any request to the IACUC for review for any reason and must refer any request that does not meet the parameters of this IACUC policy.
3.1 What is Eligible for VVC? These significant changes may include:
| a. | Changes to: Anesthesia, analgesia, or sedation to referenced drugs and dosages for the species as long as anesthesia, analgesia, or sedation are already approved in the protocol. The VVC process cannot add anesthesia, analgesia, or sedation to a study. |
| b. | Changes to: Euthanasia to any method that is approved in the current American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. |
3.2 Consultation with Veterinary Specialists: In cases where researchers propose the use of rare species or veterinary drugs not commonly used in standard laboratory animal medicine, additional veterinary consultation is required to ensure animal welfare and scientific validity.
3.3 When a protocol involves:
- A rare or exotic species not commonly used in research, or
- A drug or anesthetic agent not widely referenced in veterinary literature,
3.4 The Attending Veterinarian (AV) may:
- Consult with board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists or
- Consult with other board-certified specialists, such as zoo or wildlife veterinarians with expertise in the relevant species.
3.5 Documentation of the consultation will be included in the protocol file and referenced in the Vet Drugs/Medications section.
3.6 If no peer-reviewed references are available to support the proposed methods, the protocol is not eligible for VVC and must undergo another review mechanism
3.7 Euthanasia Methods for Rare or Wild Species- All euthanasia methods must align with recognized guidelines to ensure humane treatment of animals, particularly when involving wild or non-traditional species.
3.8 The AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals 2020 Edition will serve as the primary reference for all euthanasia methods.
3.9 In cases involving wild mammals or field studies, researchers may reference the Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research and Education. Protocols requesting a change in euthanasia method citing this reference must be submitted for review by the Designated Member Review (DMR) or Full Committee Review (FCR)and are not eligible for Veterinary Verification and Consultation (VVC) review.
4. Process:
4.1 Initial Screening by IACUC Administrator- The IACUC Administrator reviews the amendment to determine if the proposed changes appear eligible for VVC under this policy.
4.2 Routing for Veterinary Review- If the amendment appears eligible, the IACUC Administrator routes the submission to the AV for review.
4.3 The AV reviews the proposed changes to:
- Confirm eligibility under the VVC policy,
- Verify that the changes do not increase pain, distress, or invasiveness,
- Ensure compliance with veterinary standards and institutional guidelines.
4.4 Documentation and Approval- If the AV concurs that the changes are eligible and appropriate: The AV completes the review in Cayuse. If deemed ineligible, the AV contacts the IACUC Administrator, and the submission is routed for the most appropriate review mechanism.
4.5 Administrative Recording and Reporting- The IACUC Administrator reports all protocol amendments reviewed and approved via VVC on the IACUC’s monthly meeting agenda.
5. IACUC Approved Vet Drug Formularies: The AV will use IACUC-approved drug formularies listed below to verify that proposed substances and dosages are appropriate for the species and consistent with veterinary standards during VVC review.
- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Formulary
- Veterinary Anesthesia: Muir
- Formulary for Laboratory Animals: Hawk
- Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs
- Carpenters Exotic Animal Formulary
- Other Species Specific References with drug guidelines:
- Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery
- Sheep, Goat, and Cervid Medicine and Surgery
- Mader’s Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery
6. Definitions & Acronyms:
- Significant Change – A modification to an approved animal activity that may: 1) Have a negative impact on animal welfare, or 2) Involve administrative or procedural changes that require IACUC oversight.
- Designated Member Review (DMR)-A review process where one or more IACUC members are assigned to evaluate and approve a protocol outside of a full committee meeting. For more information see IACUC Policy 002: Designated Member Review Eligibility.
- Full Commitee Review (FCR)- A protocol review conducted during a convened meeting of the IACUC, where a quorum (i.e. greater than 50%) of members discusses and votes on the protocol.
7. References & Resources:
- NIH-OLAW Significant Changes- https://olaw.nih.gov/guidance/significant-changes.htm
- IACUC Policy 002: Designated Member Review Eligibility: https://www.ohio.edu/research/compliance/iacuc/policies-procedures/iacu…;
8. Change History:
Version Number | Details of Change | Approval Date |
1.0 | This is a new IACUC policy. | 08/04/2025 |