Introduction

As you start to build your experience within the animal care industry, you will add skills, knowledge, and key terms to your animal care toolbox. Of course, you are not expected to speak the veterinary medical language fluently as soon as you begin, but you will need to know and understand some key terms. This is particularly important around safety, animal behaviour and infectious diseases.

Throughout this module, you will learn some of the important terms and what they mean concerning handling animal companions and infectious diseases.

Let us look at these terms and what they mean.

It is a good idea to keep yourself a glossary to refer to at any time when you are unsure of what specific terms may mean. The following table outlines the common key terms that you will need to help you establish your understanding of transmissible infections.

This is Suzie and Pixie…

Suzie is a veterinarian working at the Animal Specialist Hospital (ASH) in the isolation ward. Suzie is part of a highly trained team that works directly with companion animals that have been admitted to the isolation ward with infectious disease diagnoses.

What makes the isolation ward different from the rest of the animal hospital?

Suzie responds:

This area of the hospital is kept separate from the general ward because of the level of contagious infections we deal with. We need to limit the number of people who pass through or work in this part of the hospital to minimise any possible transmission. There are specific procedures and practises that are in place that require training to attend to these animals and ensure they are getting the best possible care that we can offer.

What are your duties?

Suzie responds:

This part of the hospital requires you to be on your guard all the time, no room for complacency here! As part of the role, I must monitor and check patients presenting various signs or symptoms of illness. Some animals require more attention than others, especially if they are critically ill or require intensive care from the infectious disease they have contracted. Part of this role includes thorough regular cleaning and hygiene practices, in addition to communicating with other veterinary staff and the animals’ owners and updating records.

What is the hardest part of your job?

Suzie responds:

The high demand for working in the isolation ward can take its toll when animals become ill past the point of being able to help them and require euthanasia. It is never easy to need to break the news to a pet owner and this can be a very emotional time. Keeping up to date with the paperwork is also demanding because there are several hygiene checks in addition to the records of monitored patients. It is a huge responsibility to work in this part of the hospital, ensuring safety for the team (and yourself) is always paramount because there are more in-depth procedures that need to be considered on top of existing safety measures.

How do you maintain safety in the isolation ward?

Suzie responds:

PPE and good hygiene are at the top of the list for safety in the isolation ward! We are virtually suited up at all times during our shift but need to change the PPE between patients. We have standard operating procedures that outline the safety practices we need to carry out on a daily basis. Effective communication between staff also helps to keep us all safe and where necessary we make reports on any changes to conditions of animals or if there is an additional safety risk that arises. The staff have all been properly trained to work in this ward and we keep up to date with any changes in our role through professional development.

This is Mandy (and Phoenix)

Mandy works for the local council in their animal welfare shelter as an animal control officer. This shelter is responsible for housing animals who have been surrendered, found wandering stray, or have been rescued from unfit homes. The ultimate goal of the shelter is to return the animals to good health and then find new homes for them. Occasionally, they do have to euthanise animals, particularly if they are very ill, injured, or old. The majority of the animals that Mandy looks after are dogs and cats. 

Why is good hygiene important in an animal shelter?

We have lots and lots of animals in our facility, and because they are housed quite close together, there is a very big risk of contamination and illness if we don't maintain good hygiene. Certain diseases like Bordetella, otherwise known as canine cough and feline influenza, are very common here, and we must observe the animals and quarantine the sick ones immediately.

Also, many of the animals arrive at our facility in terrible condition; their coats will be dirty and matter, and their claws need to be trimmed. Pet hygiene involves grooming, and we spend time ensuring they are brushed and clipped regularly. This also helps with adoption prospects.

What are your main hygiene-related duties?

Cleaning the cages and outdoor enclosures several times a day, animals tend to poop a lot! They also make a mess with the food and spill their water, which needs to be cleaned up.

Every morning, we complete a full cleaning routine whereby we remove any soiled bedding, wipe, mop or hose out the cages or enclosures and clean all the food and water dishes. Then, the animals are fed and watered. We have to monitor each animal to ensure they are eating and drinking adequately as it can be a sign of stress or illness if they are off their food.

Any new arrivals are given a medical examination by our veterinarian which I might assist with. During this examination, we take note of any pre-existing conditions that may require treatment or quarantine. After the examination, I will usually groom and bathe the animal if its coat is in poor condition and treat any minor conditions such as fleas.

If we are doing any medical or surgical procedures, there are other hygiene-related tasks, mainly regarding preparing the treatment area. Equipment needs to be sterilised, and the animal may need to be clipped in preparation for the procedure.

What are the main challenges you face?

Mainly a lack of time and low staff numbers. Due to the size of the shelter and the number of animals, there is always something that needs to be attended to. There is no time for dawdling or for extended one-on-one time with any animal, which means that some of the animals get a bit lonely and restless, especially the dogs.

When we have adoption viewing times, we have to ensure that members of the public are safe and that they don't potentially contaminate any of the animals. This means a lot of handwashing for us and the visitors, it always amazes me that people don't know how to wash and sanitise their hands properly.

Another challenge is ensuring that contagious illness doesn't spread through the facility, this usually involves a period of quarantine for any affected animals and strict adherence to medical treatments and hygiene routines. It also means that those animals can't be adopted during that time, so we really work to keep illness to a minimum to avoid overcrowding in the shelter.

What is the best part of your job?

Definitely when an animal is adopted by a caring person or family. Especially if that animal arrived at our shelter in a very poor condition and we all worked hard to improve its health and hygiene to the point where someone chose to adopt. We sometimes take before and after photos of some of the worst cases, and the transformations can be amazing. It's amazing what good nutrition, regular hygiene and grooming can achieve, oh and a bit of love and cuddles as well.