As discussed in part I, Biosecurity Means Preventing Disease, biosecurity is the responsibility of everyone who handles the animals, or is in the kennel. Biosecurity is a broad term that encompasses maintaining perimeters to keep diseases out by way of direct and indirect contact with other animals, people and materials that can act as fomites; and supporting and encouraging the health of the animals in the facility.
Maintaining a perimeter can be accomplished through a series of applications including an actual barrier, usually a fence, to keep visitors and some animals out, while keeping the incumbent animals in. It is also an intangible aspect of having policy and procedures addressing who and what comes onto the property, and how that is done, such as by limiting the areas where non-resident animals and humans can access. Sometimes a perimeter is a foot-bath blocking the entry of any human without walking through a disinfectant solution to help cut down on pathogenic infectious microorganisms being carried into the facility.
Supporting and encouraging the health of the animals in the facility is a multifaceted effort. Limiting the exposure to new animals, or those returning from trips (shows, breeding, etc), is a very important aspect. Means of maintaining the health of the kennel’s residents takes a precise and well-executed plan. Tools such as vaccination protocols, parasite control, and optimal nutrition, all play a critical role. Staff who can identify quickly when an animal is not feeling well, and isolate it can prevent major disasters when dealing with contagious illnesses.
The daily fight to keep pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites to a minimum, is an absolute necessity. For kennels that breed dogs, less than optimal cleaning and disinfection practices may mean a drop in litter numbers, numbers of puppies per litter, the numbers of puppies born, and puppies weaned, no matter what vaccines are used, or what food is fed. No vaccine can provide 100% protection even in ideal circumstances, and any healthy animal can have its immune system devastated by over-exposure to pathogens.
Not all disinfectants are created equal, as each type has strengths and weaknesses. Some of the least expensive disinfectants can be the best if used correctly. The key phrase there is "used correctly". The correct use incorporates not only the correct dilution and contact time, but what materials it is effective on, what other chemical compounds it may come into contact with such as detergents, the ventilation required, and the storage (where, how long, under what environmental conditions). The most expensive disinfectant will not yield any better results that the least expensive if it is not used appropriately. Any disinfectant can pose a health threat if not used according to label directions.
Correct use starts with the applicator or staff person being knowledgeable about the product and its application. It sounds really basic to train someone on power spraying, or wetting down surfaces and scrubbing, even where in the run or cage they start the cleaning and disinfection procedure. However, to ensure consistent effort, this training needs to take place for every person.
Main types of disinfectants are quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), halogens, potassium peroxymonosulfate, phenols, aldehydes, alcohol, and biquanides. Don’t get stressed by the chemical names. As each family is discussed, familiar products will help identify it.
Quaternary ammonium compounds, frequently referred to as QACs, include trade names such as Roccal, Parvo-sol, Triple-two, and Kennel-sol. That is not a complete list of the trade names possible, just some of the more recognizable. Even though one is called Parvo-sol, it is are not particularly effective against the parvovirus. This family of disinfectants has never been reliable to kill parvovirus. Studies performed in 1980, 1995 and 2002 all found that regardless of label claims, these products are not effective against parvovirus. They can be easily inactivated by organic material (feces, urine, vomit, etc), and should not be mixed with detergent or soap. The mixture can neutralize each component, resulting in both detergent and disinfectant becoming inactive.
Bleach is one compound in the halogen family of disinfectants. Iodine is another. The usual bleach product sold for laundry use is typically a 5% solution. The relatively small amount of half cup bleach to one gallon water completely inactivates parvovirus, assuming there is no organic material present. This is one of the vulnerable disinfectants that can be rendered useless by organic material, necessitating thorough cleaning with a detergent prior to use. Another benefit of bleach is that it can inactivate ringworm fungus at higher concentrations when used repeatedly. It is sensitive to light, and will break-down, losing its effectiveness if not stored in a light-resistant container. Extended storage also will negatively affect its ability to disinfect. Hard water, as well, inactivates bleach. One major draw-back to the use of bleach is that it is corrosive to metals. It also can be an irritant to respiratory tissues if the concentration is too strong, or if there is inadequate ventilation.
In the potassium peroxymonosulfate family of disinfectants contains trade name products, Virkon and Trifectant. This family of compounds is effective against parvovirus, and labeled as effective against ringworm fungus. A benefit to this family of disinfectants is it is less corrosive to metal than bleach. It has moderate ability to kill microbes where organic material is present, due to some detergent activity for lightly soiled surfaces. These compounds come in powder form, and are mixed with water to make a solution. This solution is only stable for up to seven days.
Lysol® is an example of phenolic compounds, as are Pheno-Tek II, One-Stroke Environ, and Tek-Trol. One of the main considerations with phenolic disinfectants is that they may be toxic to animals, especially cats and pigs. On the plus side, it is not corrosive, it retains efficacy with organic material present, and stays stable in storage. However, they are not effective against parvovirus.
Aldehydes include formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. This family of compounds is particularly effective for disinfection, but they are toxic, and should not be used for routine cleaning and disinfection. Use of these compounds requires well-ventilated areas, and they are considered carcinogenic. The cons out-weigh the pros on this family.
Alcohols such as isopropyl and ethyl alcohol should not be used for environmental cleaning, as they are flammable. Additionally, alcohols are not effective against parvovirus, or ringworm. Alcohols are routinely used in hand sanitizers. Since it is not effective against ringworm or parvovirus, use of these hand-sanitizers between cages, or areas within a kennel are not helpful. Good hand-washing with soap and warm water will achieve more.
A more common group of disinfectants by trade names is the biguanides. Products in this family include chlorhexidine, Nolvasan and Virosan. These compounds are actually gentle, with low toxicity, but are not very powerful. They are not effective against parvovirus or ringworm fungus. They are only active in a specific pH range between 5 and 7. They are toxic to fish, so water run off is an important consideration in use. Biguanides are easily inactivated by soaps and detergents. In addition, they are relatively expensive. Basically, they are not meant for general purpose cleaning and disinfection.
Deciding which disinfectant to use depends on the surface to be cleaned (concrete, wood, metal, etc), the harmful microorganisms that are targeted, the cost of the compound, ease of application, shelf-life and storage requirements, safety for animals and people, equipment on hand, and the ability to use the compound according to the requirements for dilution and contact time for efficacy. Most chemical disinfectants that are diluted with water will have greater efficacy in warm or hot water. If you only have cold water available in your kennel, find a disinfectant that is particularly good in cold water, or plan to also use mechanical means such as scrubbing, to increase its efficacy.
Steam can be a good disinfectant, depending on the material being treated. The hand held steamers available now can help kill pathogens in cages, especially corners, kennel-cabs, etc. It can be helpful with fencing if the material has a protective covering. Chain link fence that is untreated will rust if steam is used routinely. One of the benefits of steam is the lack of chemical residue afterwards.
Lysol® is a registered trademark of Reckitt Benckiser.