982 
ANIMAL DISEASES 
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Figure 1. — Floor Plan of Kennel Complex at the NIHAC where Random Source Dogs and Cats are held for con- 
ditioning. 
sources. Dogs and cats are provided space 
which meets or exceeds the specifications of the 
USDA. 
Random Source Dog Quarantine and Conditioning 
All random source dogs undergo 45 days of 
quarantine and conditioning prior to their re- 
lease to NIH laboratories. Before January 1970 
this was done entirely at NIH facilities. Since 
then, dogs which are purchased have been pre- 
conditioned by the vendor for 30 days. This pro- 
gram change reduced the size of the random 
source dog colony by about 65 percent, releasing 
space to permit the expansion of the canine 
breeding program. 
During the 30-day conditioning period at the 
vendor's facility, the dogs receive immuniza- 
tions against rabies, canine distemper and hep- 
atitis. They are treated for endo- and ectopara- 
sites, and are fed a diet similar to that used for 
the NIH dog colony. One to three samples of 
blood from each dog are examined for the pres- 
ence of microfilariae. 
Upon receipt from the vendor, each dog is 
given a physical examination by a veterinarian, 
and a blood sample is examined for the presence 
of microfilariae. Sick and microfilaria positive 
animals are rejected; accepted animals are re- 
immunized against canine distemper and hepa- 
titis, and are identified by both neck tag and ta- 
