ABSTRACT
A key component of veterinary care is an effective preventive health program. Each facility should have a preventive health program designed by a veterinarian with experience in caring for nonhuman primates. This section provides a basic overview of some of the common elements of a preventive health program as it pertains to nonhuman primates in both a quarantine and conditioned colony. Additional information on preventive health programs are described elsewhere.46, 92-95
Nonhuman primates can be obtained from a variety of commercial and noncommercial domestic and nondomestic sources, including primary importers, domestic breeding colonies, academic institutions, and industrial corporations. Where animals are obtained will vary depending on the requirements of a facility, the needs of an investigative project, and the availability of animals. Many commercial sources of nonhuman primates can provide specific pathogenfree animals, such as macaques serologically negative for B virus and retroviruses. A list of commercial sources of nonhuman primates can be found in Chapter 6. Regardless of the source, animals should only be obtained from facilities that have in place a well-defined preventive health program, and are in good standing with the appropriate federal regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations.
