Veterinary and Technical Services (VTS)
The Veterinary and Technical Services team includes veterinarians with training and experience in laboratory animal medicine and Animal Health Technicians certified by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to our laboratory animals, and to safeguarding their welfare by ensuring that their humane use complies with all applicable national, provincial, and institutional policies on the care and use of experimental animals in biomedical research and teaching. Our mission is to act as a resource to the research community, to provide our specialized expertise, knowledge, and training in an effort to produce the highest quality science in an atmosphere of collegiality.
Veterinary Clinical Care
A comprehensive veterinary medical program is in effect for all animals maintained at the MNI CNDM. VTS personnel monitor animals daily, including weekends and holidays, for signs of illness, injury, or abnormal behaviour. In cases where such observation will interfere with experimental objectives, prior arrangements must be approved in the Animal Use Protocol and special arrangements must made with VTS to ensure adequate monitoring of animals and environmental systems.
If an animal requires medical attention, VTS Animal Health Technicians and veterinarians determine diagnosis, therapeutic plan, and prognosis. Prior to initiating therapy, the case is discussed with the responsible researcher/research personnel. If the veterinarian is unable to reach the responsible researcher in a timely manner, the veterinarian has the authority to intervene as he/she deems appropriate.
Emergency Care and Contacts
Veterinary care is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Any health problem noted by any animal user at any time, including evenings, weekends and holidays, should be reported immediately to the veterinary staff.
During regular business hours: 514-398-1403
Outside of regular business hours, call the emergency call center number posted in the facility and labs.
Veterinary Technical Support
Veterinary and Technical Services provides technical services to support the research needs of individuals who use animals models, including:
- Surgical models
- Endotracheal intubation
- General anesthesia
- Oral administration
- Parenteral injections
- Collection of biological fluids (blood, serum, urine)
- Placement of intravascular catheters
- Euthanasia
- Other special procedures as requested
For all requests or more information contact cndm-vts.neuro [at] mcgill.ca (Veterinary and Technical Services)
