Читать книгу Infectious Disease Management in Animal Shelters - Группа авторов - Страница 17

As with any subject, the understanding of infectious disease management has evolved in the decade since the publication of the first edition. Ongoing research has refined the profession's knowledge of complex and emerging diseases such as feline leukemia and canine influenza, leading to updated recommendations for diagnostic testing and management in shelter animals. Practical field experience has also honed understanding of the best ways to manage long‐standing problems. For instance, at the time of publication of the first text, the use of antibody titers and RT‐PCR (reverse transcription‐ polymerase chain reaction) testing for the management of canine distemper outbreaks was relatively new. These methods have now been proven effective in managing many shelter outbreaks, leading to expanded opportunities for non‐lethal responses to this potentially devastating illness.

Alongside these advances in understanding disease management, new products have also led to expanded opportunities to preserve shelter animal health. For instance, accelerated hydrogen peroxide (Rescue™) has become a widely used disinfectant in shelters over the last 10 years. This product's reliability against viruses, safety, rapid action, multiple uses and relatively good penetration into organic matter have allowed more efficient sanitation strategies as well as more flexible use of housing materials. Another example is the development of “portals” to conjoin two cages into one more spacious double‐compartment unit, allowing segregation of eating and resting areas from those used for elimination. The reduced handling and disease transmission associated with double‐compartment housing, along with reduced stress, have led to reported reductions in feline upper respiratory infections (URI) of 70% or more at some shelters (CFHS 2018; Karsten et al. 2017).

The second example above highlights the impact of a growing body of shelter‐specific research that extends well beyond the traditional arsenal of infectious disease management tools. The development of the portal was based on the finding that the risk for feline URI was dramatically lessened by the provision of >8 ft² floor space in cage housing during the first week of care (Wagner et al. 2018). Another study documented improved immunity and decreased feline URI risk associated with consistent, gentle human interaction with cats (Gourkow and Phillips 2015). The importance of such non‐traditional approaches to disease management is reflected in Chapter 2 on Wellness and elsewhere throughout this text.