1. Small Animal Care and Management
Ch2: Safety
Small Animal Care and Management

2. Objectives
Explain the importance of safety when working and playing with small animals
List ten diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans
Describe how to prevent becoming infected by small animals
List guidelines for safety when handling dangerous chemicals and when working with small animals

3. Zoonoses
Zoonoses or Zoonotic: are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Examples: rabies and roundworms
Parasite: an organism that lives on or within a host (roundworms)
The larval stage is the largest threat to humans (especially children)

4. Common Zoonotic Diseases and Parasites

5. Toxoplasmosis Disease through infection from toxoplasma gondii
Is a parasite
Undercooked meat
Cats play a role in the spread from infected rodents
Pregnant women can becomes infected from an oocyte shed from feces of a n infected cat
Pregnant women should not handle cat litter

6. Ringworm Fungus Causes Skin irritation, rash, and hair loss
Small animal can become infected and pass on the fungus
Tools that come into contact need to be sterilized
Topical and oral antifungal drugs can treat the fungus easily.

7. Psittacosis AKA: Parrot Fever Caused by Bacterium Chlamydophila
Transmitted between birds and humans
Effects large avian species more regularly such as parrots, macaws, turkeys.
Birds can be tested

8. Cat Scratch Fever Bacteria Infection Bartonella henselae
Associated with cat scratches and bites
Affected areas swell and heal slowly, can affect lymph nodes
Properly handling cats in a good preventative measure

9. Salmonellosis Caused by the bacteria salmonella
Carrier animals appear healthy and can pass on to humans
Foods: meat and dairy require proper handling
Sanitation is a must

10. Streptococcal Bacteria
Bacterial infection that cause sore throats
Strep Throat
Can be transmitted by dogs
Children and those who do not wash their hands are most susceptible

11. Rabies Low likelihood of transmission in domestic dogs and cats
Except for mexican border and along the atlantic coast
Vaccination
Bats and feral carnivores are frequently infected

13. Lyme Disease Transmitted by ticks
Decreased appetite, fever, swollen painful joints, lameness
Deer Ticks also transmit (RMSF) Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Symptoms: headache, vomiting, and skin rash
Groom Animals
Use Tick preventative
Avoid breaking off mouthparts during removal

15. Tapeworms Can be carried by cats and dogs
Can cause (AHD) Alveolar Hydatid Disease
Alaska and Canada
Fox, Coyotes, and mice are a typical immediate host
In humans the ingested eggs hatch in the small intestine and cause cysts in the liver

16. Physical Restraint Of Animals Cats
- Nervous Animal
- May bite or scratch when introduced to new people or surroundings
Working around the head
- Wrap the animal in blanket the head
- This controls the legs of the animal
- Can also be placed in a canvas type bag with its head exposed
- Place the palm of hand on the back of the head and grasp the head between the thumb and fingers

17. Cats Transportation: - Small cages or cat carrier
- Can bite if unhappy
- Where Gloves if cat is unhappy,
- Grab cat by scruff of neck and rear legs
Catch Pole - device that consists of a 5-6’ pole with a rope and noose attached.
- Noose must be slipped over head, front legs, and around chest
- Can kill animal if used incorrectly
- Should only be used if all other methods fail

18. Dogs
Sternal Recumbency - Restraint position when the animal is sitting or standing with one arm
under the animal’s neck with the forearm holding the head, and the other arm is placed around the animal’s body and the animal is held close to the handler’s body.
Lateral Recumbency - restraint position where the animal’s body is in a lying position. The
handler’s forearms can be lowered to rest against the animal’s head and
body to restrain the animal.

19. Dogs Muzzles - used to prevent bites - Placed over the dog’s mouth
- Different sizes available. Should fit snug but comfortable
Elizabethan collars
- use to prevent dog/cat from licking or biting its body or scratching at its
head or neck while wounds/injuries heal
- made of plastic
- shaped like cone
- slips over head and fastens around collar

20. Rabbits
- Picked up by grasping scruff of the neck and picking up while placing a hand under the rump
- Can injure their spine if kicking, trying to escape
- Should NOT be placed on smooth surface because they may injure themselves if they hop or move
- Always place on a carpet or a towel

21. Rats and Mice Rats - May bite
- Gloves may be used to place animal on piece of carpet
- Then can be restrained with bare hands
- Grasp tail close to body

22. General Safety Guidelines
-Always wear the proper protective clothing and equipment
- Always wash protective clothing and equipment
- Wash hands and face after completing a job to make sure all chemical residue is removed
- If needed shower after job to make sure all chemical residue is removed
- Wash hands frequently while working with animals to prevent contamination
- Keep hands away from mouth, eyes, and face, when working with chemicals or animals
- Do not consume food or drink in areas where contamination could occur

23. General Safety Guidelines
- Remove uniforms, lab coats, or coveralls before leaving an area
- Never wash uniform or lab coats with regular clothing
- Make sure all containers are correctly labeled
-Dispose of all chemical appropriately
- Know proper handling methods
- First aid kits are kept in work area