1 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

2 CHAPTER Safety 2

3 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risks with Small Animals Number of risks is growing –Risks are real –Precautions are needed Zoonoses: Diseases transmitted from animals to humans

4 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Examples of Zoonoses Rabies Ascarids and hookworms Toxoplasmosis Ringworm Psittacosis Cat-scratch fever Salmonellosis Streptococcal infections

5 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risk of Rabies Long history –Dog bites in Ancient Greece –Bubonic plague via rats in the 1400s More detail later

6 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risk of Ascarids and Hookworms Common roundworms of dogs and cats Transmission –Contact with feces-contaminated surfaces Symptoms –Fever, cough, headache, poor appetite Prevention –Cover play areas and sand boxes –Wash hands after animal or feces handling

7 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risk of Toxoplasmosis Caused by Toxoplasma gondii (parasite) Transmission –Mouth contact after handling raw meat or materials contaminated by cat feces Symptoms –With immune system defects include fever, headache, swollen lymph glands, cough, sore throat Prevention –Clean litter box daily (unless pregnant) –Use litter box properly (clean daily, wash hands)

8 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risk of Ringworm Caused by fungus, not parasitic worm Transmission –Direct contact with infected person or animal Symptoms –Round, scaly, or encrusted skin lesions Prevention –Avoid contact with infected subjects –Change clothing and wash right after contact

9 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risk of Psittacosis Caused by Chlamydophilia psittaci (bacterium) Transmission –Contact with feces or fecal dust of contaminated birds Symptoms –Coughing, chest pains, fever, chills, weakness, vomiting, muscular pain Prevention –Purchase birds from reliable sources –Wear protective clothing while cleaning birds’ cages

10 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risk of Cat-Scratch Fever Caused by Bartonella henselae (bacterium) Transmission –Scratch or bite from infected cat Symptoms –Swollen, slow-healing wound site; swollen, tender lymph nodes Prevention –Handle cats properly

11 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risk of Salmonellosis Caused by Salmonella (bacterium) Transmission –Contact with infected animal, improper handling or consumption of raw meat or dairy Symptoms –Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain Prevention –Practice proper sanitation and husbandry

12 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risk of Streptococcal Infection Caused by Streptococcus (bacterium) Transmission –Contact with infected animals (e.g., dogs) Symptoms –Sore throat, mild skin infection, tiny blisters Prevention –Wash hands properly –Take other sanitary measures

13 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Injuries from Small Animals Major health problem in America –~4.7 million dog bites annually (most minor) –~386,000 bites need emergency treatment Primary victims: Children aged 5 to 9 Infection potential varies –Low risk for tetanus –Rabies most important consideration

14 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Overview of Rabies Especially prevalent along Atlantic Coast Bats and feral carnivores most common sources Decreasing in domestic animals, increasing in wild ones Appears most common in the summer Human deaths average 1 to 2 annually

15 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Criteria for Rabies Treatment Species of biting animal Rabies frequency in the community Bite circumstances (animal provoked?) Behavior of biting animal Potential for animal quarantine and observation Ability to send wild animal’s brain for lab exam

16 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Prevention of Human Rabies Avoid feeding, touching, or adopting wild or stray animals. Contact local animal control authorities when animals behave oddly. Stay up to date on pet vaccinations. Keep pets indoors at night and attended outside. Leave no food outside or accessible. Secure attics, basements, porches, and garages.

17 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Procedure for Pet Bites Wear gloves during pet handling. Isolate the pet from other animals and people. Call a veterinarian. — Obtain a booster shot, if needed. Report the bite to local animal control authorities.

18 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Risk of Ticks Cause human and animal illness –Rocky Mountain spotted fever –Lyme disease Brought inside by outdoor dogs and cats –Pets owners/shelter workers at greatest risk Prevention –Hygiene, long clothing, pet grooming, insect repellent

19 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Physical Restraint of Animals Avoid prolonged restraint Wrap or bag cats and use carriers Use a catch pole carefully, as last resort Restrain dogs using forearms on head Apply muzzles for bite prevention Place Elizabethan collar during healing Grasp rabbits by scruff of neck and rump Take special care with rats and mice

20 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Other Risks to Safety Many disinfectants and some insecticides Use, storage, and disposal of chemicals and containers Clothing for chemical handling Eye and ear exposure Sick animals Potentially toxic substances

21 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. General Safety Guidelines Always wear protective clothing and equipment, and wash it after use. Wash hands and face after job completion. –If needed, shower after job completion. Wash hands often, especially when working with different species and in different areas. Keep hands from the mouth, eyes, and face when working with chemicals and animals. Neither consume nor store food or drinks where contamination could occur.

22 Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. General Safety Guidelines (cont’d) Remove lab/work clothing when leaving possible contamination area. Never wash lab/work clothing with regular clothing. Ensure all chemical containers are correctly labeled. Properly dispose of all chemicals and their containers. Provide instruction in proper small animal handling. Keep first-aid kits in work or instructional areas. Communicate locations of first aid kits.