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Sunday, November 3, 2019

Screw-ups lead to deaths and more suffering in Madison, WI labs.

Facsimiles of USDA APHIS inspection reports found on the USDA Animal Care Public Search Tool.
University of Wisconsin Madison

USDA APHIS ROUTINE INSPECTION
09-JUL-2019
2.38(f)(1) CRITICAL REPEAT
MISCELLANEOUS.

-Improper lock placement caused two incidents (3/1/2019 and 4/25/2019) of non-human primates (NHP's) getting out of their enclosure and the uncontrolled interaction with other NHP's in the secure room led to injuries that required surgical repair (suturing, partial digit amputations, and distal tongue loss). Involved animals received veterinary treatment. These incidents were reported to the overseeing ACUC and OLAW and the facility has implemented changes to decrease incidents of NHP's exiting their primary enclosures.

-In relation to an ACUC-approved handling procedure a marmoset sustained a femur fracture that required amputation. The injury was successfully treated resulting in the marmoset being able to ambulate well (observed in inspection). Bone fractures cause pain and the loss of a limb is considered a serious adverse effect to an animal. This incident was reported to USDA, the overseeing ACUC, and OLAW. Corrective actions were implemented to prevent further recurrences.

-On 10/25/18 the facility found a peromyscus mouse was found to have got its head caught between the polypropylene enclosure and the lid. Necropsy findings had signs of rapid hypoxia. It wasn’t clear how the mouse got its head caught, possible warping in enclosure might have contributed to the incident. Increased attention to enclosure warping and the manner in which enclosure lids are closed were corrective actions reported by the lab.

This is the first incident of this type that the lab is aware of and reports no further occurrences of entrapment have happened since. This incident was reported to overseeing ACUC.

Correction: Ensure corrective actions are followed to prevent further occurrences of incidents.

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University of Wisconsin Madison
USDA APHIS ROUTINE INSPECTION
12-JUN-2018

2.38(f)(1) CRITICAL REPEAT
MISCELLANEOUS.

Since the last full inspection of the non-human primate facilities (11/1/2016) there have been five incidents with non-human primates that resulted in the need for wound closure (suturing) and partial digit amputations. Four of these incidents occurred with macaques getting out of their primary enclosures due to human error or enclosure failure. The macaque(s) were able to get out of their enclosure and then either sustained or caused injuries in the course of uncontrolled interactions with other macaques housed in the same secure room. Incidents of primary enclosure exits that caused injuries needing sutures and/or partial digit amputations occurred on 2/13/18 (1 macaque affected), 3/15/18 (1 macaque affected), 3/3/17 (1 macaque affected), and 5/24/17 (2 macaques affected).

One incident involved a marmoset getting its right hind foot closed in an enclosure door on 10/18/17 and 11/6/17. Both incidents caused injuries to its right hind foot and required partial digit amputations of the affected foot. The affected marmoset was observed on the inspection and found to ambulate without problem and adjustments to the enclosures to prevent further incidents were observed.

Note: Affected animals were treated promptly by clinical veterinary staff. The facility previously identified these incidents and reported them to the overseeing ACUC and steps to prevent future occurrences were taken.

This was an inspection of the animals and records maintained under the College of Letters and Sciences and a review of the records pertaining to animals maintained under the WNPRC and the overseeing ACUC's records.

This inspection was conducted on 6/12 - 6/13 and the exit interview was conducted with facility representatives on 6/14/2018.

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USDA APHIS FOCUSED INSPECTION
21-MAY-2019
Covance Laboratories Inc
3301 Kinsman Boulevard
Madison, WI 53704

2.38(f)(1) CRITICAL
MISCELLANEOUS.

Two incidents of non-reparable orthopedic injuries in non-human primates have been identified by the facility since the previous inspection. Handling procedures are attributed to being a factor in causing the injuries. Orthopedic injuries can be painful for animals and handling methods must not cause orthopedic injuries. Handling of animals must be done as carefully as possible to avoid physical harm to the animals.

Note: Clinical veterinarians were promptly notified of these incidents and affected animals were humanely euthanized. These incidents were reported to the attending veterinarian and the facility has taken corrective action to prevent future occurrences. Correction: Ensure corrective actions are followed.