If a researcher plans to reuse an animal for multiple major surgeries, what documentation must accompany the plan?

• A. A budget justification
• B. The scientific rationale submitted to the IACUC and approval obtained
• C. Public disclosure
• D. An analgesia protocol

Answer: (B)

The plan to reuse an animal for multiple major surgeries must be accompanied by an IACUC-approved protocol that includes the scientific rationale for reuse. This review protects animal welfare by ensuring that doing multiple major procedures on the same animal is scientifically justified, ethically acceptable, and that safeguards are in place for pain management, recovery, and humane endpoints. The approval confirms that the proposed use has been evaluated for welfare and scientific validity, and the protocol will outline perioperative care and analgesia within the approved plan. While analgesia and care details are part of the protocol, the required documentation is the IACUC-submitted scientific rationale and the approval obtained. Budget justification or public disclosure are not the documentation typically required to accompany this plan.