Cage Labeling

Mouse cage cards should always include the following information:
Initials of the person in the lab responsible for the cage.

Females with litters should always have the date of birth of the litter
on the cage (facility personnel may add this).

There should be a key present in the room listing the names, email
addresses, and telephone numbers for all of the people whose initials
are present on cage cards.

Particularly precious mice/litters should be flagged with a fluorescent
orange dot on the cage card, and an explanation of what to watch for
written on the card. It is a good idea to talk to facility personnel
personally so that they know what to look for.

If the investigator wishes to change a cage themselves of a new litter
of precious animals, write "please don't change" on a piece of lab tape,
and place the piece of tape accross the bonnet/cage joint. The cage
won't be changed for 4 days, but if it is not changed by the
investigator then facility personnel will change it at that time to
ensure cleanliness.

If you anticipate any abnormalities in the mice (e.g. an abnormal
phenotype), or would like for facility personnel to be on the lookout
for such abnormalities, flag the relevant cages in some manner and
contact the personnel with information as to what to watch for. Because
facility personnel handle many mice, they may be able to help notice
subtle behavioral abnormalities in your mice.

If any mice appear sick, injured, etc. in a way that should be examined
by the vet, place a card over the cage card with "Vet Check" written in
large letters. Contact the veterinarian (Dr Al Petkus 2-3411,
apetkus@clipr.colorado.edu) with the room number and rack the cage is
on, and a general description of the condition of the animal.

If facility personnel notice any animals that are sick or injured, they
too will flag the cage, contact the vet and contact the relevant
investigator.  Any animal that is in extremis will be sacrificed and the
carcass frozen and labeled.