Vivarium Facility Information

The Vivarium houses the University's in vivo infectious disease research. The facility supports BSL1, BSL2 and BSL 2+ conditions. Various types of housing are available for rodents, rabbits, swine, and other large animal species. Support areas include a large animal surgical suite, an in vivo imager and necropsy room. Light cycles, temperature, ventilation, and humidity (select rooms) are adjustable and monitored daily. Room air is exchanged approximately 20 times per hour and no air is recirculated.  Several rooms have High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) systems.  Building and room access are restricted to users via individual access badges. Lockers and showers are available. Personal protective equipment is available and distributed as needed.

The Vivarium's Cage wash area is equipped with 2 Steris Autoclaves, a Steris Basil 4600 Cage washer, and a Bedding Disposal Unit. The facility autoclaves and launders all its own clothing, coveralls, lab coats and towels using their in-house laundry facilities.

Animal Housing

The Vivarium has BSL1 (small animals only), 2 and 2+ housing for multiple species. The Large Animal Research Barn has BSL1 large animal facilities. Various equipment is available, from gnotobiotic units to farrowing crates. All small animal infectious work must be completed in the BSL2 areas. Special housing needs may be available through the Facility Manager.

The Vivarium Animal Care Staff provide many services that are included in the daily per diem rates. These services include but are not limited to:

• Cage changing and washing
• Providing feed and water
• Daily food, water and health checks
• Monitoring of environmental conditions
• Cleaning and maintenance of animal rooms, equipment and facilities
• Receiving animal shipments and transferring animals to assigned cages or rooms

The Vivarium also offers full service rodent breeding colony management for investigators who do not wish to manage their own colonies. Typical services offered: setting up breeding pairs at the direction of the PI, weaning litters and separating litters by sex. 

The Vivarium unpacks animals or unloads animals at arrival. All animals are examined and the University Veterinarian is notified if there are any health concerns. The researcher is also notified of animal arrival. Although the Vivarium is responsible for checking and delivering the animals to their assigned housing room, investigators are strongly encouraged to conduct their own examinations upon arrival to ensure that the animal order is correct. 

Environmental conditions for each species are maintained as specified by the Guide and USDA. Temperature, humidity and light cycles may be modified if required by experimental design. However, the SDSU IACUC must approve modifications that fall outside recommended environmental conditions. Animals may not be held overnight in areas other than IACUC approved laboratory animal facilities.

More information about facilities access can be found on the Training and Access Page. Details about fee-for-service research support services, including our large animal gnotobiotic program and animal surgery operating rooms, are available on the Vivarium Rates and Fees page.

Working with Hazardous Materials

Should the research involve hazardous materials, the Principle Investigator may be required to provide their own animal care under facility oversight. All animal caretakers must receive IACUC and facility mandated training. Additional safety training is also required for personnel working with hazardous materials. Training requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the individual's animal handling details as outlined in the protocol, the species of animal, and the type of chemical and/or hazard(s) that may be encountered throughout the course of the study.

Veterinary Care Program

Dedicated animal care technicians conduct daily observations of all vivarium housed animals.  Animal health concerns are reported to the veterinary staff for assessment.

Except in cases of emergency, the diagnosis, prognosis, possible impact of the condition, and possible treatment/management options will be reviewed with the Principal Investigator or designated laboratory contact prior to initiating treatment.

Principle Investigators that have rodent breeding colonies are required to test their colonies through a surveillance program on a yearly basis at their own expense.

Oversight

Researchers can expect that their area of research will be inspected twice a year by the IACUC and once a year by the USDA. They will look for the following items:

• Ensure training of individuals in the facility is appropriate.
• Ensure proper storage and adherence to expiration dates of pharmaceuticals is maintained.
• Address any personnel and animal safety issues.
• Ensure appropriate record keeping procedures are in place. 
• Ensure general laboratory maintenance.