Veterinary Surgical Services
The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) Veterinary Surgical Services (VSS) offers researchers at Wayne State University expertise and technical support in large animal surgery and model development. VSS offers full service, dedicated surgical suites with a prep room and a recovery room. This unit supports Wayne State's research community through services which aim to maintain health and welfare of large animals on campus. VSS offers a variety of services to investigators and laboratory staff. These services include:
Large animal anesthesia and monitoring
VSS supports large animal anesthesia for investigators by performing sedation, induction, maintenance, monitoring under anesthesia, and recovery in multiple USDA-covered species. Species include pigs, livestock, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, and rabbits. Animals are normally maintained on isoflurane anesthesia. VSS maintains controlled drugs for large animal use for anesthesia and analgesia. A DLAR veterinarian is always available for consultation if issues arise. Surgeries are standardly done Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 3 pm. Technical support is provided by specially trained veterinary technicians. These services are typically in high demand and scheduling may require a few months advanced notice.
Large animal surgeries
The director of VSS, a DLAR veterinarian, can perform and train investigators in a variety of surgeries: spaying/neutering, vascular access port placement, vascular cut downs, laparotomies, biopsies, skin closure, necropsies, etc. VSS offers a variety of standard surgical instruments. Please reach out to DLARVSS@wayne.edu for more information.
Large animal procedural consultations
The director of VSS consults with investigators at all stages of large animal research (prior to and after grant submission, protocol development and refinement, project feasibility, pre-surgical planning, troubleshooting, etc.). The director can advise researchers on anesthetics, analgesics, blood collection, surgical timing, and other aspects of projects. The director can send recommended wording for animal use protocols for anesthetic support provided by VSS. VSS can also generate quotes for planned project support.
Large animal training
The director of VSS provides virtual and in-person large animal training to meet study needs. Completion is required prior to labs conducting large animal work.
Large animal import/export
VSS maintains a list of approved large animal vendors. A DLAR veterinarian performs a physical exam after importation to ensure animals appear healthy. VSS assists labs in obtaining refunds if delivered animals do not meet study needs.
Large animal health surveillance
VSS orders and conducts additional diagnostics if large animals display clinical signs. VSS maintains large animal medical records. Additional diagnostics for research purposes can be ordered by request. Research-related diagnostics must be described on an approved animal use protocol.
Medical equipment rental/maintenance
VSS manages the rental of a patient-side blood analyzer (i-Stat Alinity) from DLAR across campus. A fluoroscopy unit and digital radiography are available for research use. On a limited basis, VSS also rents out large animal heating units, Surgivet monitors, IV infusion pumps, diagnostic ultrasound, syringe pumps, and pulse oximeters.
Specialty Drug Procurement
DLAR VSS staff assists the research community in procuring certain pharmaceuticals or supplies for large animals that may require a medical license to purchase. This can include providing a prescription in certain instances or purchasing the items directly and charging back to the investigator.
Sterilization services
DLAR VSS can prepare sterile supplies. DLAR VSS offers sterilization by ethylene oxide gas or steam/autoclave.
- To request this service, first verify with the manufacturer that items can be sterilized either by gas or steam.
- Package items in a sealed pack with a sterilization method indicator. VSS can provide you with packs for an additional charge. Please contact VSS for supplies if needed.
- Label the pack using the provided stickers in the Sterilization Service “Drop Off” bin located outside the VSS Office.
- Please allow 5 business days to process your request – A RUSH FEE WILL BE ADDED FOR REQUESTS LESS THAN 5 BUSINESS DAYS.
- Once supplies have been sterilized, they are returned to the Sterilization Service “Pick Up” bin located outside the VSS Office, and your lab will be notified that the items are ready.
Assessment of Sterilization
DLAR VSS staff is able to sell to research labs biological indicators to validate autoclave function and sterility. This testing must be performed every 6 months per IACUC policy, at a minimum, and documented for any autoclave used to sterilize instruments for survival surgery in any species. Biological indicators are returned to VSS for analysis. Results are sent to labs.
Contacts
For further information on these services please contact VSS at DLARVSS@wayne.edu.