Staff
The polyclonal unit has qualified licensees to carry out procedures and to cover husbandry and animal care.

APS Ltd also has qualified immunologists working in the laboratories who offer advise and expertise on protocols etc.


Plan of Work
Before any work is started a scientific justification must be completed and COSSH forms for the antigen supplied.

The justification is assessed as part of the ethical review process. All requests are forwarded to the Home Office for approval.

The project is logged onto a database and animals are allocated to the project.

A protocol is generated and sent for customer approval.

The protocol is carried out according to the schedule. Any changes to the protocol need to be confirmed in writing. A new protocol is generated and sent to the customer for signing.

Termination of the project is not performed without written confirmation from the customer.


Health checks
Animals are checked at least once daily and more frequently if required.

Weights are monitored weekly.

Teeth, claws, eyes and ears are inspected weekly.

Rabbits are regularly inspected for the first 30 minutes following blood sampling.


Housing
Rabbits need to be at least 2.5 kg before being placed on procedure.

Males and females are housed individually in 5600cm2 x 45cm cages, according to Home Office code of practice. Female rabbits are also kept in floor pens.


Husbandry
Rabbits are watered daily and fed on Specialised Rabbit Diet.

Cages are cleaned at least once weekly. Floor pens are cleaned twice weekly.

Animals are supplied with fresh sawdust and hay after cleaning.

Environmental enrichment is provided by supplying cardboard tubes and aspen blocks.