QUARANTINE: a time period or place for keeping:
- animals suspected of having a transmissible disease or
- animals of unknown health status until their health status is definitively determined
This description pertains to the quarantine program for mice entering the University of Minnesota from non-commercial sources. Importation of other species from non-commercial sources is rare but would be subject to similar requirements and procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I bring in mice from non-commercial sources?
Call the RAR Business Office at 612-624-6169 to start the process. Ask for the Import Shipping Coordinator. You can also download and fill out the Import From Another Institution form, and email or mail that form to the RAR Business Office.
Why is quarantine important?
To prevent new mice from bringing in a parasite or disease, which could infect valuable mouse colonies here.
How much does it cost to bring in my mice through quarantine?
As of January 2010, it cost approximately $400-500 to bring in one box of mice, and about $1400-1900 for five boxes of mice (depending on breeding activity while in quarantine). The precise answer depends on how many boxes of mice you are bringing in, whether your mice will be set up as a breeding colony, how accurately the sending institution tells us what they are shipping, how quickly the commercial vendor can send the exact number of sentinel mice needed for the particular shipment, and how fast the lab can send back test results. Call the Veterinary Services Office (612-624-9100) and ask to speak to the veterinarian in charge of the quarantine program for a more detailed estimate.
Why does an RAR vet have to approve the shipment of these mice, if my protocol is already approved?
The RAR veterinarian's job is to review the health status of these mice and the health status of the facility that they are coming from. This allows the vet to determine whether they can be shipped into SPF quarantine, conventional quarantine, or may not be shipped to the University at all.
What's taking so long to get my order in?
Common causes of delays include the following:
- Errors on the order form (incorrect protocol or CUFS number, inaccurate contact information for the shipping coordinator at the other institution, etc.)
- Problems with the protocol or CUFS account (insufficient mice available, insufficient funds, etc.)
- No reply from sending institution.
- Limited supply of mice (not enough breeding in colony right now, popular strain, mice must be rescued from cryopreservation, etc.)
- Insufficient health information sent (health survey not returned, too little history, institution doesn't routinely test for all of the pathogens of interest, etc.)
- Disease(s) present at the other institution, causing need for additional testing prior to shipment.
- Shipping coordinator(s) failed to receive needed information.
What should I do if it seems that my order is delayed?
Contact the RAR Business Office (4-6169) or the RAR veterinarian in charge of the quarantine program (4-9100) to find out what the delay is and what you may be able to do to assist the order process.
Why can't my non-commercial mice go immediately where I want them to be housed?
Importing parasite-infested mice or mice carrying a disease into the general colony rooms would endanger people's research. Unfortunately, immune-competent mice may not show any signs of disease but can be carriers for parasites or pathogens that devastate immune-compromised mice.
Why is the Quarantine Program about 8-10 weeks long?
It allows the quarantined mice time to show clinical signs of any disease they may be carrying, and time for pathogens to infect the sentinel mice which are housed with them. The sentinel mice are then tested for any disease they may have caught from the quarantine mice. This also gives RAR time to treat the quarantine mice for possible parasites, since parasites may be present at extremely low levels which could not be detected prior to shipment.
Why can't I get an exact answer about the day my mice will leave quarantine?
The precise date depends on how quickly our vendor can send us the exact number of sentinel mice needed for the shipment, how fast the lab can send back final test results, and whether there are any new mothers with newborn pups that need a few extra days of peace and quiet before being moved.
What treatments are mice receiving while they are in quarantine?
Mice are fed Fenbendazole-amended feed to eliminate pinworms. Mice receive Ivermectin in their water to eliminate fur mites.
Are other treatment options available for my mice while they are in quarantine?
Yes. Please call the Veterinary Services Office (612-624-9100) and ask to speak to the veterinarian in charge of the quarantine program if your mice may need additional or different treatments.
How are different shipments housed?
Shipments of mice are housed only with shipments of similar health status, in rooms designated as Tier 1 (very clean) to Tier 4 (highly suspect).
How are mice from a single shipment housed?
Mice are unpacked and put into new cages exactly as they were shipped. Usually mice are shipped to the University separated by gender, or in pre-set breeding pairs. If the investigator requested breeding when the mice were ordered, but the mice arrived separated by sex, RAR staff sets up the mice in breeding pairs.
How can I determine what was shipped?
Cage cards from the sending institution, if any, are placed behind the RAR cage cards. Investigators may also come down to read ear tags or ear punches, or take tail snips (if permitted by protocol). Any information that the sending institution included with the shipment is available from the files in the quarantine area.
I thought I ordered exactly enough mice to fill a certain number of cages. I didn’t ask for any breeding. Why do I have more cages than I thought?
RAR houses mice to the maximum density permitted by our housing policy. In Quarantine, there must also be room for one sentinel mouse in each cage of your mice. For example, if you order the maximum number of females allowed in a single cage (currently we allow 5 adult females per small cage), we will have to split your order into two cages so that there is room in each cage for a sentinel.
Can I visit my mice in quarantine?
Yes, by appointment. Investigators must be escorted to the room by the area vet, area vet tech, or area supervisor. These investigators must not have visited any other mice before coming to Quarantine, and if they wish to see other mice afterwards, they must change clothes.
Why can't I see the quarantined mice whenever I want to?
We don't want people to inadvertently carry pathogens into Quarantine or out to other mouse colonies.
What am I allowed to do in quarantine by appointment?
- be present at the unpacking of the shipments
- ear notch, ear tag, or take tail snips
- watch or perform the breeding/weaning of mice in the shipment
What additional services may I ask for?
- investigators can ask RAR staff to set up specified breeders
- investigators can ask for a call from RAR staff when pups are born or weaned
What am I prevented from doing in quarantine?
- investigators may not visit the mice without escort
- investigators may not perform experiments in the quarantine room
Can mice be bred while they are in quarantine?
Yes. They can be bred to other mice in the same shipment. Investigators can also order mice from commercial vendors to breed with mice in quarantine. Setting up breeders and weaning mice are billed as special services (the cost is the same as would be billed in non-quarantine areas).
Can mice in quarantine be bred to mice that are already at the University of Minnesota?
Yes. To make arrangements, call the Veterinary Services Office (612-624-9100) and ask to speak to the veterinarian in charge of the quarantine program. The Transfer form you will need is located online, and you can send, fax, or email it to the RAR Business Office.
Can mice leave quarantine early?
With prior veterinary approval, investigators may move mice out of quarantine early for acute, terminal studies only. Call the Veterinary Services Office (612-624-9100) and ask to speak to the veterinarian in charge of the quarantine program for more details. Cages must be bagged in autoclave bags and must be returned bagged to the Quarantine Area.
What personal protective equipment (PPE) do I have to wear in a quarantine room?
Each person must put on full PPE before entering.
- Wear gloves, mask, bonnet, gown, & booties.
- Use Tyvek sleeves over the gown when working in the hood.
- If you're working with more than one shipment, handle the earliest shipment first, the latest shipment last, etc.
- Change sleeves & gloves between shipments
- Put dirty sleeves into the box labeled "Dirty Sleeves".
- Discard all other PPE before leaving the room. Do not wear PPE from room to room.
How do I remove dirty cages from quarantine rooms, or return them to the Quarantine Area?
All cages leaving a quarantine room must be bagged, autoclaved, & then washed.
- Empty the water bottles in the sink inside the quarantine room.
- Stack the dirty cages in an autoclave bag and tape it shut.
- Spray the outside of the bag with diluted bleach before taking it out of the room.
- Place the bagged cages in the dirty side of the cage wash area.
How do I remove trash from a quarantine room?
No special procedures are required.
The information contained in this site is intended as a reference for University of Minnesota investigators, and animal husbandry and veterinary staff. Drug information and dosages are derived from a variety of sources and do not necessarily guarantee safety or efficacy. Information obtained through this site should not be relied upon as professional veterinary advice. Any medications administered or procedures performed on animals should only be performed by or under order of a qualified, licensed veterinarian.
