Full Description

1.1This practice describes the terms used in observing and recording cutaneous, gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive, neuromuscular, ocular, and general clinical signs of animals undergoing toxicological testing. This practice also assists in properly observing and assessing laboratory animals for signs of disease or adverse effects of compound administration.

1.2This practice includes codes and descriptions for a wide variety of clinical signs, anatomical locations, and other descriptive qualifiers, and a technique for scoring the extent or severity of clinical signs.

1.3This practice assumes that the reader is knowledgeable in animal toxicology and related pertinent areas and is trained in making clinical observations.

1.4This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.