The Small Animal Care Industry- Part III
Jan 01, 2016
Animal Rights Movement Not the same as Animal Welfare– Should not be used as if means the same as
animal welfare– Media may wrongly use the two terms
interchangeably
Modern Animal Rights Movement
Over 400 animal rights groups exist todayCame into prominence in the 1960s and 1970sInitially made up of urban people, many of whom were vegetarians
Beliefs of Animal Rights Movement
Humanize animals to have the same rights as humans (humans are also animals)To use animals for human purposes is morally and ethically wrong and reflects a bias that humans are superior to animals
Beliefs of Animal Rights Movement
Animals should never be used for food, clothing, medical research, and/or product testingAnimals should not be used for entertainmentBelieve in using ecoterrorism to prevent people from using animals if necessary
Major Animal Rights Group
PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals)Largest animal rights group in the world. It has over 800,000 membersSince 1980, it has been dedicated to establishing and protecting rights of animals. Against eating, wearing, experimenting, and using for entertainment
Animal Welfare Movement
Rooted in any several schools of thought– History of animal domestication dating
back to Chinese and Egyptians– Early US use of animals for food,
clothing, shelter, transportation, and horsepower to perform tasks
Animal Welfare Schools of Thought
Creation view that God gave man domination over animals which includes use and care (Genesis 1:26)Various religions that use animal sacrifice and include great detail as to how to humanely slaughter the animal
Animal Welfare Movement
Animal welfare influenced by early laws (Laws protecting animals were present before the animal rights movement)
Animal Welfare Beliefs
Animals should be treated humanely regardless of how they are usedAnimals should receive proper housing and nutritionAnimals should receive proper care for disease prevention and treatment for injuriesEuthanasia or slaughter should be done in a humane way
Safety: Zoonotic diseases
Rabies- a viral disease that affects the nervous system and is contracted by bites and scratches of infected animals such as dogs and cats– Immunization is recommended if there is
doubt about whether the animal is infected with rabies
Rabies
Children 5-9 years of age make up less than 9% of the population but receive almost 30% of animal bites
Rabies
Most domestic animals are not likely to be infected with rabies as long as they are vaccinated on a regular basisNinety-three percent (93%) of the reported rabies cases were in wild animals
Toxoplasmosis
Disease produced by infection of Toxoplasma gondii parasite and spread through contaminated litter or cat feces
Toxoplasmosis
Does not show up as long as the human immune system is working properlyParticularly of concern for pregnant women, as it may result in miscarriage, babies born prematurely or blind
Toxoplasmosis
Prevent by wearing rubber, disposable gloves to daily clean litter boxes and thoroughly wash hands after cleaning litter box
Ringworm
Fungal disease that shows up as round, scaly, encrusted lesions on the skin and a loss of hair where lesions occur
Psittacosis
Also known as parrot fever, contracted by caged birds such as parrots, budgerigars, and related birds– Humans are infected through bird’s
contaminated feces or fecal dust; wear dust mask and a face shield for cleaning cages if danger of infection
Psittacosis
Parrot fever can be prevented by eliminating lice and mites by spraying disinfectants on the feathers of birds
Cat-scratch fever
Non-serious disease associated with cat bites and scratches that results in swelling and soreness around the bite or scratch
Salmonellosis
Disease that results from an infection of Salmonella bacteria and may be transmitted to humans and animals– Children and elderly are most at risk– Pet turtles and reptiles are a common source of
infection in humans
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Causes coagulation of the bloodSymptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, skin rash and death if not treated with proper antibodies– Caused by bite of American dog tick and 6
other tick species
Lyme Disease
Tick transmitted bacterial disease that results in a rash, distinctive skin lesion, hives and flu-like symptoms such as aching muscles, stiff neck, fatigue, fever, chills, painful joints, etc
http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/faculty/rbkimsey/tickbio.html
Leptospirosis
Disease that humans contract by water, food, or soil that has been contaminated by urine from small animals
Parasites
Organisms that live on or within a host organismGain their sustenance (nourishment) from the host organismChildren are most at risk because they play with dogs and cats and in the area where animals have been.
Ticks
Seven species carry Rocky Mountain Spotted FeverFive species most often carry Zysore diseaseDaily personal hygiene is especially important for those working with pets to remove small larvae that may go undetected by visual inspection
Internal Parasites
Ascarids (Toxocara species) and hookworms (Ancylostoma species and Uncinaria stenocephala) affect dogs and cats– May be passed on to humans causing
fever, headache, cough and poor appetite
Ascarids
Children who play with dogs and cats are most at riskDeworming of cats and dogs is the most effective prevention measureKeep areas clean from feces
http://www.cvm.okstate.edu/~users/jcfox/htdocs/clinpara/Toxocara.htm
Tapeworms
Echinococus species carried by dogs and catsMay cause Alveolar Hydatid Disease (AHD) which can be fatalProduce parasitic tumors or cysts in the liver of humans that may go unnoticed for years
Safe Work Habits
Avoiding contamination in clinics and when working with multiple animals– Avoid contamination by frequent washing of hands
and protective clothing– Separate sick animals and treat in separate areas– Do not eat or drink or store food and drink in
treatment areas or where contamination can occur– Never wash lab coats and protective clothing with
regular clothes
Safe Work Habits
Protective clothing for working with small animals– Wear protective clothing and equipment
when the job performed with a small animal requires it
Safe Work Habits
Rubber unlined gloves, rubber boots, and face shield or goggles with anti fog lenses should be worn when handling chemicals or applying pesticidesLeather gloves help protect from bites and scratches
Safe Work Habits
Coveralls and lab coats offer some additional protection from minor bites and scratchesRespirators should be worn when there is a danger of inhaling toxic dust and other substances
Safe Work Habits
Chemical safety when working with small animals– Use chemicals according to label
instructions– Store chemicals in the original container
whenever possible
Safe Work Habits
Avoid over mixing and storing chemicals, but if chemicals must be stored, make certain they are in 1- a locked location and 2- clearly labeledDispose of all chemicals and their containers according to label instructionsFrequently wash hands and exposed area after using chemicals
Safe Work Habits
Proper handling techniques for small animals– Learn proper and safe handling
techniques that prevent injury to the animal and handler
– Keep a first aid kit available for workers who do suffer bites or scratches
Safe Work Habits
Briefly restrain animals when needed for examination or treatmentTo work around the head of a cat, the animal can be wrapped in a blanket and placed in a zippered canvas bag so that the handler can grasp the back of the head and hold the head between the thumb and fingers
Safe Work Habits
Dogs are briefly restrained by placing one arm under the dog’s neck with the forearm holding the head while the other arm is placed around the animal’s body to pull it close to the handler
Safe Work Habits
Muzzles for dogs prevent biting and can be a simple narrow strip of gauze or cloth made by making a loop in the material. Rabbits can be picked up by grabbing the scruff of the neck with one hand and lifting up while placing the other hand under the rump for support. To hold, simply use the same technique but the hand under the rump is moved to support the abdomen.
Safe Work Habits
Rabbits seldom bite but may cause injury with their hind legs or may be injured if placed on a smooth surface. A rabbit’s foot pads are covered with fur which may cause a lack of traction if they are placed on a smooth or slick surface and may result in dislocation of their hip or spine when they try to move or hop
Safe Work Habits
Rats and mice that are used to being handled, can be picked up by grasping the tail close to the body with one hand and using the other hand to grasp loose skin in the neck and shoulder area.