Objectives - Risk Prevention

 


The object of specific hygiene where animals are present is to minimize the risk of contamination from that animal. It is relatively easy to apply simple rules without affecting the bond between animals and people.

Minimizing risks through responsible behaviour
** However adorable, an animal is still an animal. As a result :
- Animals that are capable of biting or scratching such as dogs, cats, rodents, etc., should be handled with caution. This applies even more so to a strange animal. Care should be taken with exotic animals as they sometimes carry germs, which may be unknown in Europe, or very powerful allergens (molecules that cause severe itching).


Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture
(human type of TB).

  

- It is essential to disinfect a scratch or bite with
  an antiseptic.

It is always advisable to show a bite from
a strange or exotic animal to a doctor.

 

** An animal can carry germs without our knowing. As a result :
- Sleeping with an animal in the same room or in the same bed should be avoided.
- It is advisable to prevent animals from entering the kitchen as pathogenic agents could infect food.

- Feeding an animal from your plate or at   the table increases the risk of catching   their germs, which are in abundance in   their saliva. An animal should not be   stroked while you are eating.

- It is also not advisable to let an animal   lick your face, especially if it is a   strange one.

- Finally, a rule for outdoors - if every dog owner cleaned up after their pet, it would prevent the spread of germs that they carry.

 

Minimizing risks with good domestic and pet hygiene
** Pet hygiene
Hygiene rules vary from animal to animal, but basic rules apply to all.

- Animals should be cleaned regularly. Dogs must be washed and brushed. Cats wash themselves but they should be brushed on a regular basis.


Xenopsylla cheopsis : flea (plague bacterium carrier).

The same applies to other furry animals.

- Animals should be regularly vaccinated   against major known diseases such as   rabies where there is a risk, typhus,   coryza, etc. They should be taken to the   vet if there are any signs of fleas, ticks,   mange, etc.

 

** General hygiene around pets
As animals can be carriers of pathogenic micro-organisms, everything they touch needs to be cleaned regularly.

- Litter trays and cages should be cleaned often and disinfected with a specialist product. The same goes for food containers.
- Any fabric around baskets, as well as toys and food bowls, should be cleaned regularly with disinfectant or appropriate cleaner, at temperatures above 60°C to ensure that germs are destroyed. Also, to prevent cross-contamination, pet and owners' laundry should be washed separately.

- Floor areas used by an animal should   also be cleaned, paying particular   attention to allergen traps such as   carpets.

- After touching an animal, hands   should be washed with soap and
  water for at least a minute in order to   eliminate all germs.