Vet Care and Services

If an animal is showing any of the following life-threatening signs, it requires immediate veterinary attention. Do not wait or attempt to treat the animal yourself. Call the On-Call Veterinarian immediately: 301-458-5047.

Examples of Medical Emergencies

• Moribund Condition
  The animal appears near death, unresponsive, unable to stand, or failing to respond to stimuli. May present with severe weakness, collapse, or inability to maintain posture.

• Trouble Breathing (Respiratory Distress)
  Open-mouth breathing, gasping, wheezing, blue or pale mucous membranes, or labored/rapid breathing.

• Seizures or Neurologic Events
  Shaking, twitching, full-body convulsions, repeated episodes of falling over, abnormal eye movements, or sudden loss of coordination.

• Severe Dehydration
  Skin tents and does not return to normal when pinched, sunken eyes, lethargy, or refusal to eat/drink.

• Rapid Decline or Acute Distress
  Sudden severe weight loss, profuse bleeding, extreme pain, inability to move, or any unexpected condition that worsens quickly.

If you find a sick animal in a DLAR-managed animal facility: 

• For issues such as skin lesions, tumors, abnormal behavior, or other non-critical findings:

• Complete a Health Alert Card

• Place it on the animal’s cage

• DLAR staff will assess the animal within 24 hours

• If an abnormal finding is present, staff will complete an Animal Health Report (AHR) and notify the PI/lab

For non-emergency concerns such as skin conditions, tumors, abnormal behavior, or mild illness:

• Complete the Health Alert Form
• Submissions are reviewed by DLAR veterinarians, who will respond within 48 business hours with next steps.

• The technician will complete an AHR and email it to the PI/lab and DLAR

• If the animal requires immediate clinical attention, they will:

  • Contact the on-call veterinarian

  • Attempt to reach the PI/lab by phone

• The AHR will be finalized once the animal’s condition has been addressed

• The Attending Veterinarian (or designee) makes the final determination regarding treatment or humane endpoints

Please email vets@umd.edu to request assistance. In your message, include a brief description of the planned animal research, the species requiring a housing location, and your department.

Please email IACUC@umd.edu to request assistance or visit the IACUC website for additional information.

Please email vets@umd.edu to request assistance.

In your message, include:

• A brief description of the support needed
• The species involved in the proposed project
• The Principal Investigator’s (PI) name (if the email is not sent directly by the PI).