In addition to regular veterinary checks, the animals kept are tested once a quarter for the relevant specific or opportunistic pathogens in accordance with the latest FELASA recommendations1.
This is to ensure both animal welfare and the reproducibility of scientific results.
1. FELASA working group on revision of guidelines for health monitoring of rodents and rabbits; Mähler Convenor M, Berard M, Feinstein R, Gallagher A, Illgen-Wilcke B, Pritchett-Corning K, Raspa M. FELASA recommendations for the health monitoring of mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit colonies in breeding and experimental units. Lab Anim. 2014 Jul;48(3):178-192. doi: 10.1177/0023677213516312 . Epub 2014 Feb 4. Erratum in: Lab Anim. 2015 Jan;49(1):88. PMID: 24496575 .