STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

1. Performance Standard: Rodents are adequately hydrated. "Auto Water Transition" card is filled out.

2. Procedure

Provide a water bottle for the first 2 weeks.
Check the water bottle at 1 week. If the water bottle has been used, continue with the water bottle. Toggle the water valve stem daily for 1 week. If dealing with more than 1 cage, disinfect your gloves with Quatricide PV-15 between water valve stems. After 1 week, proceed to the step listed next.

Remove the water bottle and place an "Auto Water Transition" card on the cage. Fill in the Start (bottle removed) date.
For the next 7 days, check the animals daily (pull cage out, examine each animal). Initial the Daily Check line on the "Auto Water Transition" card. (NOTE: Day 1 is the day after the bottle was removed.) Toggle the water valve stem each time you pull the cage out. Leave a drop of water below the valve stem when you replace the cage. If dealing with more than 1 cage, disinfect your gloves with Quatricide PV-15 between water valve stems.
If the auto water transition was successful after 7 days, remove the "Auto Water Transition" card, fill in the End date and file the "Auto Water Transition" card in the break room.
If at any time the animals appear dehydrated (balled up, isolated, hunched, sluggish in movement):
Replace the water bottle and leave it on the cage for 2 days.
Fill out a CIF and contact the Laboratory Animal Technologist and ARC veterinarian if the animals do not move readily.
On the third day, remove the water bottle, indicate the Second attempt date on the "Auto Water Transition" card, and repeat the steps indicated above for if the water bottle is not used.
If animals do not transition, place a blue water bottle sticker on the permanent cage card and maintain the animals on a water bottle. File the "Auto Water Transition" card in the break room.