Disinfection
Table of Contents
1. A Few Words About Disinfection
This post is primarily intended for those running temporary homes and breeders, but it can certainly teach a few things to pet owners as well. The information presented will be particularly useful in the case of parasite invasions or prophylaxis against parasites and bacteria. When buying used accessories or cages/aquariums/habitats, it's always worth thoroughly disinfecting them before reuse. This post is intended for members of the "Mice" group on Facebook, but I'm sure it can also be helpful to caretakers of other rodents, reptiles, birds, and larger mammals.
2. Some Theory
First, it's worth distinguishing a few concepts:
Antiseptics - procedures involving the use of treatments aimed at destroying microorganisms or inhibiting their development.
Asepsis - procedures aimed at preventing infection and protecting the body from disease-causing microorganisms.
Principles of asepsis:
- Proper disinfection and sterilization
- Appropriate storage of accessories
- Use of clean, disinfected accessories in each habitat
- Use of protective gloves
- Maintaining personal hygiene
In the case of asepsis and antiseptics in domestic/breeding conditions, we are not able to perform sterilization. Therefore, in this post, we will focus on disinfection, which, for the average caretaker/breeder, is entirely sufficient to keep animals healthy.
3. What Is Disinfection
Disinfection results in a high level of microbiological cleanliness, destroying vegetative forms of bacteria, including tuberculosis (TB) bacilli, fungi, and viruses. Accessories for animals, cages, and water dispensers should undergo disinfection. Disinfection can be mechanical, physical, or chemical.
Mechanical Disinfection, i.e., Sanitization:
Daily cleaning, vacuuming, sweeping, and airing of rooms. This involves mechanically removing bacteria and viruses from the environment.
Physical Disinfection
It involves the use of thermal and radiation methods. Mainly, it includes steaming or boiling when dealing with animals. For example, the use of steam cleaners, baking wooden elements for habitats, or boiling them.
Chemical Disinfection
Bactericidal chemical agents are used. Preparations are used in various aqueous solutions because only in this form can they penetrate the microorganism's cell and damage its cytoplasm. The mechanism of action of disinfectants varies. Chlorine compounds act as oxidizers, acids and bases coagulate protein in the cell, and alcohols dehydrate it. All disinfectants disrupt or inhibit the vital functions of microorganisms. It is worth using preparations with a broad spectrum of action.
The range of action is appropriately marked on the packaging:
- B - bacteria
- V - viruses
- F - fungi
- S - spores
Depending on the degree of destruction of microorganisms, different types of disinfection are distinguished:
To use chemical disinfection correctly, remember a few rules:
4. Practical Application
Understanding the above principles, you can implement several regular actions in your temporary/breeding spaces. I would recommend that the following activities be carried out regularly:
Additionally: Regular use of a steam cleaner or ozonator in the room where animals are kept to clean surfaces and air. In the case of an ozonator, remove the animals from the disinfected room. Ozone dissipates quickly, so airing the room is quick and easy. Do not stay in the same room where the ozonator is running.
5. Examples of Disinfectants
Low-level disinfection (for everyday use):
Intermediate-level disinfection (for disinfection after a change of occupant, regular preventive disinfections, etc.):
High-level disinfection (when dealing with particularly stubborn or dangerous parasites, viruses, etc.):
5. Dealing with Parasites
As this is a relatively common problem among new pets, I will supplement the above article with steps taken during treatment. It should be noted that appropriate treatment should always be planned by a veterinarian. The right preparations and their doses should be selected according to the species of parasite and the treated animal. EVERY new adopted/purchased animal should go through quarantine and be dewormed or have its feces examined. This way, we can avoid the need to treat the entire herd or all animals in our home.
Animals can be attacked by:
Treatment for both external and internal parasites should be accompanied by high-level disinfection every time the medicine is administered (wood, silicone in aquariums, and exceptionally rough surfaces may require special care and additional steps, as they are difficult to disinfect), as well as low or intermediate-level disinfection during regular cleaning between successive doses of the medicine. It is also recommended to remove excrements regularly if possible.
Sources:
"Handbook for Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists," scientific editor Prof. Dr. hab. n. Med. Zbigniew Jańczuk, 3rd revised and supplemented edition, 2018.
"Principles and Techniques of Work in a Dental Office," Dr. Marta Szymańska-Sowula, Mgr. Katarzyna Chmiel, 2nd edition.
Presentation on disinfection and sterilization by Anna Kaźmierczyk.
Text: Kalina Koriat, Pink Phantom.