Regular health screening is performed to ensure that animals remain free of clinical and subclinical infections that are known to have an impact on animal health and/ or research. The health screening results are monitored by an in-house veterinarian. In addition any mice that are found to be ill or that die unexpectedly are given a full post mortem.

The health screening is performed by independent laboratories and includes screening for a broad range of viruses, bacteria, parasites and other micro-organisms. The samples collected for health monitoring include blood, faeces and swabs from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract as well as a close examination of the fur. Sentinel mice, mice exposed to dirty bedding from other cages, are used to increase the chance of detecting pathogens (disease causing micro-organisms) in breeding colonies.

Thorough health screening and the strict quarantine of imported mice minimises the risk of introducing disease into the colony.

The latest health screening results are available in the Downloads section.