Laboratory Animal Veterinarian and the 3Rs concept

Nikolaos Kostomitsopoulos, DVM, PhD

ESLAV-ECLAM expert

• To represent Veterinarians working in the field of Laboratory Animal Science and Medicine in Europe and also to organize training, certification and continuing education for veterinarians in this field.

• ESLAV (European Society of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians) has more than 330 members across Europe,

• ECLAM (European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine) has a growing number of Diplomates certified to the highest specialist level (now over 80).

• Together with members of national laboratory animal veterinary associations in Member States, there are thus more than 500 veterinarians with “expertise” in laboratory animal medicine and science across Europe.

www.eslav.org

www.eclam.org

The role of a LAV

VETERINARY CARE

• Preventive medicine, including source of animals (procurement, transportation, documentation, animal health status, risk to biosecurity)

• Veterinary medical records

• Zoonotic risks and notifiable diseases

• Surgery and postoperative care

• Anesthesia, analgesia and euthanasia

• Humane end points (training of people on observations of normal and abnormal animal behaviour and clinical signs)

The role of LAV (2)

MEMBER/PARTNER OF SCIENTIFIC TEAM

• Choice of the proper animal model (including search for possible alternatives)

• Choice of experimental technique(s):

– Medication (anesthetics, analgesics etc)

– Techniques & Methods (e.g. imaging, blood sampling, tissue harvesting, surgery etc…)

The role of LAV (3)

ETHICS AND ANIMAL WELFARE

• Member of Animal Welfare Body

• Ethical Justification of the projects

• Education and training of personnel (scientific and technical)

The role of the LAV within the new Directive

• Introduction point (30)

– To ensure the ongoing monitoring of animal welfare needs, appropriate veterinary care should be available at all times and a staff member should be made responsible for the care and welfare of animals in each establishment

• article 16: Reuse

– 1.d: veterinary advice

– 2: veterinary examination

• article 17: end of the procedure

– 2: a decision... shall be taken by a veterinarian…

• article 38:Project evaluation

– 3: the competent authority carrying out the project evaluation shall consider expertise

in particular in...c) veterinary practice in laboratory animal science...(as shown in slide 7)

Article 25 Designated veterinarian

“Member States shall ensure that each breeder, supplier and user has a designated veterinarian with expertise in laboratory animal medicine, or a suitably qualified expert where more appropriate, charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being and treatment of the animals.”

Need for Veterinarians with expertise

ESLAV and ECLAM: participation in the EWG on Education and Training (meeting focusing on Veterinarians)

Are LAV ready to contribute?

ESLAV-ECLAM Survey on Vets in New Directive (Apr-Jun 2012)

Ethical Committee 87% are participating

Facility Management 85% are participating

Health Monitoring 94% are participating, whereas 60% are responsible

Research Projects 52% involved and 15% responsible

OHS 68% involved or responsible

Compliance with Legislation 56% responsible and 33% involved

Training of Animal Users 88% involved or responsible (50/50)

Many and vary varied roles & responsibilities

Expected responsibilities

- 96%: Responsible for overseeing the welfare and care of animals

- 91%: Ensuring that animal care staff have access to information

- 78%: Responsible for education and training of staff

Project Approval

77% would like to be in the loop as responsible for ensuring conformity with the Directive

ESLAV-ECLAM Survey on Vets in New Directive

Thanks for your attention !