Biosecurity in Small Animal Units

Question 1

Legislation related to Biosecurity in Small

Animal Units

Answer 1

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
• Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
• 9.—(1) Written procedures must— be in place and implemented covering—
• feeding regimes, cleaning regimes, transportation, the prevention of, and control of the spread of disease, monitoring and ensuring the health and welfare of all the animals, the death or escape of an animal (including the storage of carcasses); be in place covering the care of the animals following the suspension or revocation of the licence or during and following an emergency.

• (2) All people responsible for the care of the animals must be made fully aware of these procedures.
• (3) Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals.• (4) All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread among the animals and people of infectious diseases, pathogens and parasites.
  • (5) All excreta and soiled bedding for disposal must be stored and disposed of in a hygienic manner and in accordance with any relevant legislation.
  8
  • (6) Sick or injured animals must receive prompt attention from a veterinarian or, in the case of fish, an appropriately competent person and the advice of that veterinarian or, in the case of fish, that competent person must be followed.
• (7) Where necessary, animals must receive preventative treatment by an appropriately competent person.• (8) The licence holder must register with a veterinarian with an appropriate level of experience in the health and welfare requirements of any animals specified in the licence and the contact details of that veterinarian must be readily available to all staff on the premises on which the licensable activity is carried on.
  • (9) Prescribed medicines must be stored safely and securely to safeguard against unauthorized access, at the correct temperature, and used in accordance with the instructions of the veterinarian.
• (10) Medicines other than prescribed medicines must be stored, used and disposed of in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer or veterinarian.• (11) Cleaning products must be suitable, safe and effective against pathogens that pose a risk to the animals and must be used, stored and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and used in a way which prevents distress or suffering of the animals.
  12• (12) No person may euthanase an animal except a veterinarian or a person who has been authorised by a veterinarian as competent for such purpose or— in the case of fish, a person who is competent for such purpose; in the case of horses, a person who is competent, and who holds a licence or certificate, for such purpose.
  • (13) All animals must be checked at least once daily and more regularly as necessary to check for any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour and vulnerable animals must be checked more frequently.
• (14) Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a veterinarian (or in the case of fish, of an appropriately competent person) must be sought and followed.

Question 2

Legislation – Guidance relating to kennels and catteries

Answer 2

• Provision must be made for the isolation of sick/injured/infectious animals and those that might reasonably expected to be carrying serious infectious diseases.
• In a kennel environment, isolation facilities for dogs with infectious diseases must be provided. In a domestic environment, it must be demonstrated as to how a dog can be kept an appropriate distance from any litters of puppies or places where the litters go for 14 days.
  • If the isolation facility is at another location, such as a local veterinary practice, a letter must be provided by the practice stating that they are prepared to provide such facilities.
• All staff must understand the procedures to prevent the spread of infectious disease between any infected animals and the other dogs.
  • Where infectious disease is present in the whole premises, barrier nursing procedures, and people trained in these, must be implemented.
• This includes use of protective clothing and footwear (where applicable) changed between enclosures; separate storage of equipment and segregation of waste.
• Dogs showing signs of infectious disease must not be allowed in any shared outside exercise area.
  • Protective clothing and footwear must be worn when handling dogs in the isolation facility, and sanitation protocols adhered to.
• Separate feeding and water bowls, bedding and cleaning utensils must be stored in the isolation unit ready for immediate use.
• Dogs in the isolation facility must be checked at least as frequently as other dogs as a minimum and unless it is a separate person looking after them, after all the other dogs.
  • All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread among animals and people of infectious diseases and parasites.
• An up-to-date veterinary vaccination record must be seen to ensure that dogs have current vaccinations against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine adenovirus/infectious canine hepatitis, leptospirosis. Vaccination against other diseases such as Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) or Canine parainfluenza virus may be required by the establishment.
  • Certification from as veterinarian of a recent protective titre test may be accepted instead of a booster vaccination as required by the establishment. The certificate must state the specific disease it is for and that it is valid for the current period.
• Vaccines used must be licenced for use in the UK. Homoeopathic vaccination is not acceptable.• If there is evidence of external parasites (fleas, ticks, lice) the dog must be treated with a product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and licensed to be used in the UK. Treatment must be discussed with a veterinarian before administration.• Where necessary, animals must receive preventative treatment by an appropriately competent person.
  • Guidance
  • Vaccinations must only be administered by either a veterinarian or registered
  veterinary nurse under the direction of a veterinarian.
  • Routine and documented treatment must in place for internal and external parasites (adult dogs and puppies must be wormed and given flea and tick treatment as appropriate).• All animals must receive appropriate vaccination, as advised by the appointed veterinarian. Veterinary advice must be sought whenever necessary. Vaccination courses must begin at the appropriate age.

Question 3

Legislation –

Guidance relating to other businesses

Answer 3

• Similar to those for kennels and catteries
• Exception:
• Animal collections within colleges and universities
• If open to the public for 7 days within one calendar year, would require Zoo Licence. Again, similar requirements to K&Cs.
• If not open to the public no licence is required. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 would apply, but there is no legislative guidance to adhere to or licence
application required .

Question 4

Practical application of legislation related to

Kennels and catteries

Answer 4

• Vaccination protocols – certificates required • Parasite treatments – if required
• Quarantine – depends on facility.
• Quarantineofanimalscomingintoboardingestablishmentnotpossible. • Rescue and breeding centres quarantine advised.
• Isolation – Sick animals
• Hygiene protocols – must be written SOPs

Question 5

Practical application of legislation related to Pet shops

Answer 5

• Buy in livestock
• Commonly from large scale breeders
• Often not quarantined on arrival
• Staff will have no knowledge of parents or breeding

• Common species-specific diseases seen:
• Coccidiosis, Pasteurella, Cheyletiella, VHD2, GI disorders - rabbits
• Mites (Trixacarus caviae, Chirodiscoides caviae), lice (Gliricola porcelli,
Gyropus ovalis), and rarely Demodex caviae – guinea pigs
• Ringworm – Guinea pigs and chinchillas
• Demodex – rats, mice, hamsters
• Wet tail – hamsters

Reptiles – risk of salmonella
• Cross contamination
• Isolationfacilities‘off-show’
• Issues with reintroducing stock to shop floor • Customers
• Handling, Stress, Noise

• Barrier nursing always between species.
• There must be a cleaning protocol for all species • Separate utensils for all enclosures
• Disinfectantuse,ratio,application
• No vaccination or parasite treatment unless cases seen • Stress must be considered

Question 6

Practical application of legislation related to Educational animal facilities

Answer 6

• Similar to pet shops
• Need to consider the following:
• Student protocols and training • Animal usage
• Supervision

Question 7

Practical application of legislation related to Pet animal breeding facilities

Answer 7

• Dependent on the species bred
• Pre-mating checks need to be carried out to prevent spread of disease
• Weaning protocols
• Disinfectants used for weanling enclosures may be different

Question 8

Disinfectants used in small animal facilities

Answer 8

• Anigene
• Scented, non-scented
• Consideration of animals which utilise scent heavily
• Virkon - Powder or tablet
• F10
• Effective against CV19.
Unless notifiable disease outbreak occurs, there is no need to use DEFRA approved disinfectants

Question 9

PPE in small animal facilities

Answer 9

• Use depends on scenario
• In some circumstances hand washing is sufficient
• E.g. customer, staff or student handling animal.
• Consideration of clothes
• Isolation, quarantine, disease outbreak
• Gloves, apron, shoe covers, full overalls
• Must be changed between each enclosure/animal