Veterinary care and surveillance are an essential part of the animal care program. The health of new animals is to be carefully ascertained with appropriate physical examination and observation. Laboratory services of the North Dakota State University veterinary diagnostic laboratory may be utilized for surveillance and quality control of new animals. Disease investigation may include parasitic, bacteriological or viral screening. These procedures are appropriately performed during conditioning or quarantine periods prior to the initiation of the experimental use of the animal.
Animals are to be observed daily to assess their health and welfare.
It is sound policy to separate animals by species, source and health status. This does not necessarily mean that rodents such as mice and rats may not be housed in the same room. Where space permits, separation by shipment and vendor are practices strongly recommended. Most vendors of laboratory rodents will provide data detailing their own health surveillance on colonies of production animals. Maintaining good animal health is dependent on the quality of facilities and care.