The Small Animal Care Industry- Part III

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

http://www.dr-dan.com/tapeworm.htm

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.

THE END