The best time to monitor for microbial antibodies is when the animals are nursing.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only during lactation
• D. During the late stage of nursing

Answer: (B)

Monitoring microbial antibodies should be timed so that the results reflect the animal’s own immune response, not passively acquired maternal antibodies. During nursing, pups receive antibodies from the dam through colostrum, which can persist and skew serology. This makes it difficult to tell whether a positive antibody result comes from the animal’s exposure or from maternal transfer. The best practice is to test after maternal antibodies have waned, typically after weaning, when the animal’s antibody status more accurately reflects its own exposure history. So, testing while nursing is not the best time.