Are multiple major survival surgeries permitted by animal welfare laws?
Use of one animal in multiple major survival surgeries is allowed only when such procedures are related components of a protocol; they must be scientifically justified in the protocol and approved by the IACUC. Cost savings is not an acceptable justification for multiple major survival surgeries on any animal. Determination that a procedure constitutes major surgery is usually made during the IACUC review process. However, development of “permanent physical or physiologic impairment” may not be recognized until after the procedure is performed. If such impairment develops after a surgery, that animal cannot be used for another recovery procedure. If the second major procedure is non-survival, this is not considered to be multiple major survival surgery.
