Objectives
- Understand the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, disinfection, and sterilization.
- Understand how to identify products or techniques used for these different purposes.
Cleaning Primary Enclosures
Cleaning - removes debri, dust, grease, etc..
- Detergent (degreaser for oils from pets, food, etc..)
- Scrub brushes
- Clean water rinse
Sanitization of primary enclosures and food and water receptacles
Sanitize - Reduces bacteria, but does not reduce viruses
- Steam pressure cleaner
- Washing with hot water (at least 180 °F (82.2 °C)) and soap or detergent, as with a mechanical cage washer.
- Washing all soiled surfaces with appropriate detergent solutions and disinfectants, or by using a combination detergent/disinfectant product that accomplishes the same purpose, with a thorough cleaning of the surfaces to remove organic material, so as to remove all organic material and mineral buildup, and to provide sanitization followed by a clean water rinse.
- Dish soap for dishes works by lifting bacteria and viruses off surfaces to be rinsed away (but does not kill).
- Gravel, sand, grass, earth, or absorbent bedding must be sanitized by removing the contaminated material as necessary to prevent odors, diseases, pests, insects, and vermin infestation.
How often?
- Kennel area - when visually dirty or if a dog soiled within kennel, but at least once per week, even with immaculate dogs. Always sanitize (and disinfect), when adding a new dog.
- Food bowls - after each meal.
- Water bowls - at least daily or more if visually dirty.
Disinfection
Disinfection - kills most bacteria and viruses. Good for profound disease control. Sick animals.
| Disinfectant | Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide | Potassium Peroxymono- sulfate | Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) | Calcium Hypochlorite | Regular Household Bleach* (Sodium Hypochlorite) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How to identify | patented - AHP® | also known as MPS, KMPS, potassium monopersulfate, potassium caroate, the trade names Caroat, Oxone, Virkon, Trifectant | active ingredient often ends in ammonium chloride | granular, "pool shock", Wysiwash | trade name "Clorox" |
| Effective against non-enveloped viruses? | Yes, dilute 1:32 | Yes, at 1% | Not according to independent published research | Yes | Yes, dilute 1:32 (1/2 cup per gallon) |
| Effective against ringworm following effective precleaning? | Yes, dilute 1:16 | Yes, at 2% | Yes, if labeled fungicidal against Trichophyton spp. | Not according to independent published research | Yes, dilute 1:32 (1/2 cup per gallon) |
| Inactivated by organic material? | Minimal | Slightly; less inactivation than bleach or quats | Mildly inactivated | Yes | Yes |
| Requires cleaning as separate step? | Some detergent activity, but cleaning beforehand recommended for heavily soiled surfaces | Some detergent activity, but cleaning beforehand recommended for heavily soiled surfaces | Variable detergent activity, requires some cleaning beforehand | No detergent activity, always requires extensive cleaning beforehand | No detergent activity, always requires extensive cleaning beforehand |
| Stability when diluted | 90 days | 7 days | varies | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Recommended contact time | 10 minutes for 1:32 dilution 5 minutes for 1:16 dilution | 10 minutes | 10 minutes | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Rinse required?** | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
** To remove any residual disinfectant, rinsing housing areas and food/water dishes is always recommended regardless of which product is used.
Sterilization
Sterilization - the process of killing ALL microorganisms
Sterilization is not feasible for cleaning kennels. It is generally a requirement for surgical equipment and requires using steam under high pressure, high heat, or specialized chemicals.
Responses