Pet Animals a Complete Guide

8/13/2019 Pet Animals a Complete Guide

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First Edition, 2007

ISBN 978 81 89940 18 8

All rights reserved.

Published by:

Global Media1819, Bhagirath Palace,Chandni Chowk, Delhi-110 006Email: [email protected]


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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Education

3. Employment

4. Pet Health

5. Daily Care

6. Reconization of Illness of Pet

7. Laboratory Animal Facilities

8. Environment

9. Farm Animal Facilities and Environment

10.Occupational Health and Safety

11. Care Tips for Dogs

12.Care Tips for Horse


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Animal Caretakers

Overview

Animal caretakers give care to animals at shelters, zoos, kennels, pet shops, stables,

aquariums, and research labs.

The Bronx Zoo features over 4,000 animals. Chicagos Lincoln Park Zoo has over 1,200.

The Baltimore Zoo has 2,700 animals. The San Diego Zoo is so large that it cant be

covered on foot in one day. Thats a lot of wildlife to view! Whats more, all thoseanimals must be taken care of. Their exhibits must be kept clean. The animals must be

fed and monitored to make sure they are healthy and thriving. Who rises to this

challenge?

Animal caretakers feed, water, bathe, groom, and exercise animals. They play with

animals and provide companionship to them. They watch animals, record their condition,

and report any problems. They clean and repair pens, cages, and equipment. Animal

groomers bathe cats and dogs. They trim their hair or nails, care for their skin, and clean

their ears. They treat animals for fleas and other pests. Some animal caretakers work in

animal hospitals as helpers to veterinary technicians. They follow directions of the

veterinarian and veterinary technicians to give basic care to animals. They may also clean

surgical equipment.

In pet stores, animal caretakers sell animals and pet food to customers. They advise

customers on care of animals, teach obedience classes, and help with breeding animals.

They also prepare animals for shipping and delivery.

In animal shelters, caretakers take applications from people who want to adopt animals.

They give shots to newly admitted animals. They may have to put to death seriously ill,

severely injured, or unwanted animals. In wildlife shelters, they may clean birds whose

lives are at risk from oil spills. They may help nurse other injured wildlife back to health,

feeding and comforting them. In stables, they saddle and unsaddle horses, give them

rubdowns, and walk them to cool down after rides. They feed and groom horses andclean heir stalls. They polish saddles, clean and organize tack rooms, and store supplies

and feed.

In zoos, caretakers are called keepers or zookeepers. They prepare diets, clean enclosures,

and monitor animals behavior. They may help in research studies and answer questions

from visitors. Keepers may work with a broad group of animals, such as mammals or

birds. In research labs, jobs range from feeding and cleaning up after animals, to giving

medicine and performing surgery. Lab workers take care of mice, rats, birds, monkeys,

and cats. Some animal caretakers work in livestock yards, where they move farm

animals, groom them, and show them for auction.

Aquarists take care of fish and other water life in aquariums. They prepare food, feed fish


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and other animals, and clean tanks. They monitor water for temperature and cleanliness.

They watch the fish for disease or injury. They report problems and may treat fish.

Farriers take care of horses feet. They take shoes off and examine hooves for bruises and

cracks. They trim and shape hooves. They select aluminum or steel shoes. They fit,shape, and nail shoes to hooves. They also treat hooves that are badly shaped or injured.

They may put on corrective shoes.

Many animal caretakers answer questions about animal behavior, habitat, breeding

habits, or activities. They may answer questions for animal owners or the public.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career. Feed and water animals according to schedules and instructions. Mix food, formulas, and supplements, following instructions and using

knowledge of animal diets.

Order, unload, and store food and supplies. Wash, brush, clip, trim, and groom animals. Exercise animals, play with them, and train them. Observe animals for signs of injury or illness. Record information such as weight, size, physical condition, diet, and food intake. Clean and disinfect pens, stables, cages, yards, and equipment. Move animals between pens for breeding, birthing, shipping, or showing. Monitor and adjust controls to regulate temperature and humidity in animal

quarters, nurseries, or exhibit areas.

Repair fences, cages, or pens. Install equipment such as infrared lights and feeding devices. Answer questions about animal behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or activities at

a facility.

Watch and protect children who are petting and feeding animals at exhibits. Give anesthesia or shots as directed by supervisor or veterinarian. Saddle and shoe animals.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common tomany occupations.

Perform activities that use the whole body. Handle and move objects. Monitor events, materials, and surroundings. Get information needed to do the job. Identify objects, actions, and events. Document and record information. Inspect equipment, structures, or materials. Communicate with people from outside the organization. Analyze data or information. Repair and maintain mechanical equipment.


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Update and use job-related knowledge. Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.

Working ConditionsIn a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

Provide a service to animal owners, animals, and the public. Have a medium level of social interaction with owners and other workers.

Physical Work Conditions

Sometimes work outdoors when exercising, training, or showing animals. Animalgroomers may work outside to wash animals.

Occasionally work indoors when feeding animals and cleaning their pens, stalls,cages, or other shelter. Animal groomers may work inside when drying, fluffing,

or combing animals.

Are sometimes exposed to toxic chemicals in cleansers and medications. Areoften exposed to animal waste.

Are occasionally exposed to hazards such as animal bites, cuts, or needlepunctures. The chances of injury are slight and most injuries are not serious.

Are sometimes exposed to uncomfortable sounds and noises, such as barking,howling, or crying animals.

Occasionally wear protective or safety attire, such as latex or leather gloves andsturdy boots.

Work Performance

Must take care to finish all details and tasks of their job. Leaving steps out mayharm animals or people.

Must remain alert to frequent changes in animal behaviors, and to more rareevents, such as animals escaping from zoos.

Must be exact and accurate with animal diets, controlled temperatures andhumidity, and other features of animal care. Errors can be harmful.

Hours/Travel

May work full time or part time. May work nights or weekends in zoos and animal shelters. They may work all-

night shifts in some shelters and animal hospitals.

May travel to competitions when working with show or sport animals.Physical Demands

People in this career frequently:


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Stand, kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl while taking care of animals and theirshelters.

Use hands to hold animals, mix their food, and operate tools.It is important for people in this career to be able to:

Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls to mix food or prepareformulas.

Speak clearly so listeners can understand.It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects. Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the

arm. Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out. Move arms and legs quickly. React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet. Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes

of moving objects.

Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding todifferent signals.

Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, whilethe body is moving.

Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects, and to support the body forextended periods without getting tired.

Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects. Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath. Focus on one source of sound and ignore others. Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them. Determine from which direction a sound came. Understand the speech of another person. See details of objects that are near and far.

Skills and AbilitiesPeople in this career need to:

Communicate

Express ideas clearly when speaking and writing. Understand spoken and written information.

Reason and Problem Solve

Notice when something is wrong or likely to go wrong. Recognize the nature of a problem.


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Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.KnowledgePeople in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

Biology: Knowledge of plants, animals, and living organisms and how theyfunction.

Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of injuries, illnesses, and defects. Alsoincludes the knowledge of setting up a plan for treatment.

InterestsPeople in this career are people who tend to:

Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly andhave supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained

well.

Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-onproblems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical

materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.


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Preparation

To work as an animal caretaker, you must:

have a high school diploma or GED

complete on-the-job training; and

enjoy working with animals.

Formal Education

No formal education is required beyond high school. However, you can earn an associate

degree in animal health. Both professional technical schools and two-year colleges offer

this degree. Courses in animal grooming, care, and handling are helpful.

Apprenticeship training is also available if you want to handle wild hunting birds. Tocomplete this type of training you need to work with a licensed falconer.

Work Experience

Growing up on a farm provides good work experience. It is also helpful if you join clubs

such as 4-H or Future Farmers of America while in high school. Volunteer experience

working in an animal hospital or clinic is helpful.

On-the-job Training

Animal caretakers usually receive informal, on-the-job training from an experienced

worker. You usually start by feeding and watering animals. As you gain experience youlearn to read and understand animal behavior. Training may last up to three months.

Areas of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Animal Grooming and Training

Equestrian Studies

Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Technology

Helpful High School Courses

A high school degree is almost always required to work in this occupation. You should

take courses in high school that prepare you to earn a high school diploma.This includes

courses in English, math, science, and social studies. You also need to take courses in

physical education, health, and applied art or second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this specific

occupation. While you do not have to take all of them, you should consider them in

planning for high school. Some of these courses are also available at colleges andtechnical schools.


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Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources

Animal Science

Agriculture Work Experience

Health and Safety EducationCommunity Health

Safety and First Aid

Healthcare Sciences

Exploration of Healthcare Careers

Healthcare OccupationsAdvanced Healthcare Occupations

Healthcare Sciences Work Experience

Life and Physical SciencesPhysical Science

Anatomy and Physiology

Biology

Chemistry

Mathematics

General Math

Pre-Algebra

Algebra

Since many animal caretakers are self-employed, you may find it useful to take business,

accounting, and computer courses.

Hiring Practices

Most employers prefer to hire people who have experience taking care of animals. Some

require legible handwriting, clerical skills, and a high school diploma or GED. Many

employers accept hobby knowledge and give some training on the job. Some employers

require a drivers license and a good driving record. They want to hire people who canget along well with their coworkers and customers. Many jobs require that applicants

read and write English, because food labels and instructions are usually written in English

This work takes physical and emotional strength. While loving animals is important,

taking care of animals is hard work. When animals are sick, injured, homeless, or

suffering, animal caretakers need emotional strength.


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Wages

In Minnesota, the median wage for animal caretakers is $8.68 per hour, or $1,505 permonth for a full-time worker. Half of all animal caretakers earn between $7.39 and

$10.37 per hour, or between $1,281 and $1,798 per month.

Nationally, the median wage for animal caretakers is $1,460 per month ($8.40 per hour).Half of all animal caretakers earn between $1,230 and $1,830 per month ($7.10 and$10.57 per hour).

Wages vary with the type of employer and the cost of living in the area. Pay is oftenhigher in local government agencies, where workers enforce leash laws and operateanimal shelters.

Animal caretakers who work full time usually receive benefits. Common benefits includesick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Those who are self-employed mustprovide their own insurance.

For more current and specific wage data, refer to the following Regional WageComparison Chart(s) produced by the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey:Nonfarm Animal Caretakers

Employment

In Minnesota, about 2,436 nonfarm animal caretakers work in this small occupation.

Nationally, about 125,000 animal caretakers work in this small occupation.

Major employers:

Grooming shopsBoarding kennelsAnimal shelters and humane societies

Stables and pet supply storesResearch labs

About 27 percent of animal caretakers are self-employed.


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Pet Health

Signs of Ill Health

Only a healthy pet is a happy companion. Assuring your pets daily well-being requires

regular care and close attention to any hint of ill health. The American Veterinary

Medical Association therefore suggests that you consult your veterinarian if your pet

shows any of the following signs:

Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings Loss of appetite, marked weight losses or gains, or excessive water consumption Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness, or lethargy Abnormal lumps, limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores, and a ragged or dull coat. Foul breath or

excessive tarter deposits on teeth

Cancer

How Common is Cancer?

Cancer is common in pet animals, and the rate increases with age. Dogs get cancer at

roughly the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers. Cancer accounts for

almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age.

How is it Diagnosed?

Strong circumstantial evidence of cancer can be attained from x-rays, blood tests, the

physical appearance of the cancer, or the physical signs caused by the cancer. Most

cancers, however, will require a biopsy (removal of a piece of tissue) for confirmation.

Is Cancer Preventable?

Some cancer, such as breast cancer, is largely preventable with early spaying.

Unfortunately, the cause of most cancers is not known and therefore prevention is

difficult.

Common Signs of Cancer in Pets

Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow Sores that do not heal


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Weight loss Loss of appetite Bleeding or discharge from any body opening Offensive odor Difficulty eating or swallowing Hesitance to exercise or loss of stamina Persistent lameness or stiffness Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

Many of the above signs are also seen with noncancerous conditions but still warrant

prompt attention by your veterinarian to determine the cause. Cancer is frequently

treatable, and early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care

possible.

Common Types of Cancer in Pets

Skin - Skin tumors are very common in older dogs, but much less common in cats.

Most skin tumors in cats are malignant, but in dogs they are often benign. All skin

tumors should be examined by your veterinarian.

Breast - Fifty percent of all breast tumors in dogs and 85% of all breast

tumors in cats are malignant. Spaying your pet between 6 and 12 monthsof age will greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer. Surgery is the

treatment of choice for this type of cancer.

Head & Neck - Cancer of the mouth is common in dogs and less common

in cats. A mass on the gums, bleeding, odor, or difficult eating are signs to

watch for. Many swellings are malignant, so early aggressive treatment is

essential. Cancer may develop inside the nose of both cats and dogs.

Bleeding from the nose, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling may occur.

Lymphoma - Lymphoma is a common form of cancer in dogs and cats. It

is characterized by enlargement of one or many lymph nodes in the body.

A virus causes most of these cancers in cats. Chemotherapy is frequently

effective in controlling this type of cancer.

Feline Leukemia Complex - The feline leukemia virus is contagious

among cats and will occasionally cause true cancer. There is no proof that

it is contagious to humans. While a great deal of research is ongoing, no


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consistently effective treatment is presently available for virus-positive

cats.

Testicles - Testicular tumors are rare in cats and common in dogs,especially those with retained testes. Most of these cancers are curable

with surgery.

Abdominal Tumors - Tumors inside the abdomen are common. It is

difficult to make an early diagnosis. Weight loss and abdominal

enlargement are common signs of these tumors.

Bone - Bone tumors are most commonly seen in large breed dogs andrarely in cats. The leg bones, near joints, are the most common sites.

Persistent lameness and swelling of the leg is an early sign of disease.

How is it Treated?

Each cancer requires individual care. Your veterinarian may use surgery, chemotherapy,

radiation, cryosurgery (freezing), hyperthermia (heating) or immunotherapy to effectively

treat cancers. Combination therapy is commonly employed.

What is the Success Rate?

This depends strongly on the type and extent of the cancer as well as the aggressiveness

of therapy. Some cancers can be cured, and almost all patients can be helped to some

degree. Your veterinarian will have a better chance to control or cure your pets cancer if

it is detected early.

Lyme Disease

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is an infectious disease syndrome spread primarily by a tick no larger than

the head of a pin. It is caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called a spirochete that is

transmitted to animals and humans by the bite of the tick. In people, Lyme disease can

appear similar to other diseases such as flu or Alzheimers disease. If untreated, it can

lead to joint damage and heart and neurologic complications. In animals, the disease can


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mimic flu-like symptoms and can lead to joint damage, heart complications and kidney

problems.

What Are The Symptoms?Lyme disease is not easy to detect for there are a variety of symptoms. Clinical signs may

not appear for a long period after initial infection.

Animals seldom develop the rash that commonly occurs in people with Lyme disease.

The common clinical signs in animals are fever, inappetence, acute onset of lameness

with no history of trauma, and arthralgia. These can develop within weeks of initial

infection. Recurring lameness, lymphadenopathy, glomerulonephritis, or myocarditis can

develop weeks to months later. In addition to these signs, cows and horses may have

chronic weight loss, abortions, and laminitis-like signs.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is based primarily on recognition of the typical symptoms of Lyme disease and

by blood testing. It should be noted that early in the disease, the blood test can be

negative even though the disease is present. Only with later disease does the test become

reliably positive.

What Is The Treatment?

Antibiotics tetracycline, penicillin and erythromycin have been shown to be

effective in treating the disease in both animals and humans in the early stages. If

detected early enough, there is almost complete relief of pain and lameness within 24

hours of initial treatment in animals. Chronic cases of the disease respond much slower

and require longer periods of treatment.

How Can It Be Prevented?

Knowledge of where these ticks are found, avoidance of such areas, and, if bitten, prompt

removal of the tick are the primary preventive measures. Vaccines are available to protect

dogs. Consult with your veterinarian for advice regarding vaccination of your animal.

Parasites

Internal


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Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms can

make a home inside your pet and rob your animal of vital nutrients, leading to poor

appetite, loss of energy, serious anemia, and even death. Puppies and kittens are

especially susceptible. Parasite infestation can be controlled and prevented. Your

veterinarian can tell you about the extent of the parasite problem in your area. Simple

diagnostic procedures can be performed.

Toxoplasmosis is a related disease.

External Parasites

From time to time most pets have parasites such as fleas, ticks, lice, or mites. Its simplyin the nature of things, parasites being parasites. The pests abound everywhere; therefore,

their presence is not a disgraceful reflection on ones living habits. It is, of course, not

necessary simply to accept such a state of affairs. Because external parasites can be

extremely irritating to a pet and cause serious skin disorders or even disease, you have an

obligation to rid your pet of these unwelcome guests if they are infested with them.

Yet external parasites, like squatters, are tenacious and difficult to evict. They are not

always discernible to the unpracticed eye and are therefore sometimes present in great

numbers before you become aware of them. If you find your pet scratching frequently, or

if you discover bald spots or inflammation of his skin, chances are your pet is playing

host to an army of non-paying boarders. And its high time for you to take him to the

veterinarian.

The Adaptable Flea

The flea is an acrobatic pest that is adept at finding a warm place to live, jumping readily

from dogs to cats or even human beings. The life cycle of the flea is about 30 days. The

eggs are dormant in cool weather, but, with the advent of milder days, they hatch into

worm-like larvae which eventually become fleas. The best way to rid your pet of fleas is

to see a veterinarianfor advice. They may recommend powders, sprays, dips, specially

treated collars, or even tablets to be taken internally whatever the veterinarians

prescription, you should take care to follow their instructions exactly.

It will do little good to rid the pets body of fleas if you dont simultaneously cleansetheir sleeping quarters and other equipment. Aerosol sprays can be used for this purpose

with excellent results. Regular and thorough vacuum cleaning of the pets living area also


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helps to remove eggs, larvae, and pupae. Getting rid of fleas not only makes your pet

more comfortable, it also reduces their chances of acquiring tapeworms since many fleas

harbor tapeworm eggs.

Lice Not Nice

Lice are not just aesthetically unpleasant, and therefore, not nice but, they can become

a source of danger for your pet especially to puppies. Often dogs with just a few lice

are very itchy, while those harboring thousands of lice may not scratch themselves at

all. So small they escape notice, some lice penetrate the pets skin and suck the blood.

The females will lay eggs which in just three weeks will hatch and develop into adult

lice.

The constant blood-sucking, if extensive, can cause severe anemia in puppies and greatly

weaken mature dogs, particularly females with nursing puppies. The pest can also be a

source of irritation to cats and kittens.

Your veterinarian is your best resource to detect and eventually eliminate this dangerous

parasite.

Mites and Manges

Mange is caused by another type of external parasite the mite. Fortunately, mange is

rare in the well-fed, well-kept cat.

In dogs, two types of mange are the most common: DEMODECTIC mange or red

mange, and SARCOPTIC mange or scabies. They may be present at any time of the

year.

Dogs suffering from demodectic mange usually do not scratch. This mange is most

common in young short-haired animals and is marked in the early stages by small areas

of hairlessness, accompanied by a red, irritated appearance. In sarcoptic mange, a severe

itching is usually observed, with consequent skin irritation and loss of hair. This type of

mange is contagious to people as well as to other dogs and therefore should be checked as

soon as possible.

It should be remembered that mange is more serious than a simple skin irritation or

abrasion or a source of discomfort to your dog though it certainly is that. Both of these

manges are serious skin diseases that can lead to complications such as severe skin


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infections. Veterinarians usually treat mange by clipping, medicated baths or sprays, as

well as oral medication or injections.

The Tenacious TickThe hardiest and perhaps the most pesky of the external parasites is the tick which has

the innocent appearance of a small wart or seed. Hosting the tick is the price the dog or

the cat must pay for investigating the mysteries of the shrubbery or wild undergrowth, for

that is where your pet most likely acquires these pests.

Be sure and look for ticks during the daily grooming of your pet and pick off any you see

a trick that can be mastered with a little practice. Ticks are most apt to bed down in the

neck area, between the toes, in the ears, and in the folds between the legs and the body.

To remove a tick, use small tweezers to firmly grip the ticks mouth parts as close to the

skin as possible and pull it straight outward. Apply an antiseptic to the bitten area. After

removing, destroy the tick by immersing it in alcohol. Save the tick, marking the date it

was found on the body, in the event that symptoms arise and identification of the tick

becomes necessary.

If your dog has been in an area where the tick is found, or if you have found a tick on its

body and it develops any of the symptoms mentioned above, make an appointment with

your veterinarian for an examination, blood test and possible treatment. The blood test

may have to be repeated several months later. It would be wise, whether or not you have

found a tick on your dog, to have it tested in the spring and fall to assure yourself that

your pet does not have Lyme Disease.

It is not as easy to detect ticks on horses and cows, particularly in herds, but horse ownersand farmers should be alert to any sudden onset of fever, lameness, abortions, laminitis-

like signs or chronic weight loss in their animals and should consult with their

veterinarian for evaluation.

If you have been in an area where the tick is found, or if you have found a tick on your

body and develop any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should see your physician

for evaluation and treatment.


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Enlist the aid of your veterinarian in your tick eradication campaign. Dipping your pet at

frequent intervals in a medicated compound is the most common method of getting rid of

ticks.

Spraying the grass and bushes with a chemical solution recommended by your

veterinarian is often very effective in eliminating ticks, as is a frequent cleaning of your

pets belongings and sleeping quarters. Ticks as well as fleas may infest the home and

become a major nuisance.

Allowed to thrive unchecked, ticks may cause serious skin infections or paralysis. Some

ticks serve as carriers of serious diseases to pets and humans.

Ear Mites

Ear mites can be a source of severe annoyance and disease. They are common in dogs

and cats. These mites spend most of their life in the ears. Often an animal can be severely

infested with the pests before there is any outward sign of their presence. It is a good idea

to have your veterinarian regularly examine your pets ears.

If an ear mite infestation is ignored it will almost always be followed by a bacterial

infection because the bacteria find easy access to living tissue through the holes left by

the mites. Such an infection can spread deep into the ear and eventually penetrate the

brain causing convulsions and death.

Ear mites are very irritating. They often cause the animal to scratch to the point where it

tears out all of the hair and creates bleeding sores around the ears. Scratching can result

in reinfestation with mites from the paw or tail. Consult your veterinarian about methods

for treating infested animals.

Rabies

Facts About Rabies

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is

usually transmitted by a bite from a rabid animal.

Prompt and appropriate treatment, after being bitten and before the disease develops, can

stop the infection and prevent the disease in people.


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Human rabies cases in the United States have occurred after close exposure to a bat

without an obvious sign or recollection of a bite.

Not all rabid animals foam at the mouth and appear mad. Infected animals can be verycalm and tame.

Only mammals get rabies. Birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians do not.

Rabies and Humans

Improved rabies vaccination and animal control programs and better treatment for people

who have been bitten have dramatically reduced the number of human rabies cases in this

country. The majority of recent human cases acquired in the United States have resultedfrom exposures to bats.

Dogs are still a significant source of rabies in other countries. Be aware of this risk when

traveling outside of the United States.

Most cases of rabies occur in wild animals, mainly skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes.

Remember, wildlife is a part of our natural heritage. Enjoy it and respect it from a

distance for the benefit of all concerned.

What You Can Do To Help Control Rabies

Have your veterinarian vaccinate your cats, dogs, ferrets, and selected livestock.Keep the vaccinations up-to-date. Your veterinarian will advise you on the

recommended or required frequency of vaccination in your locality.

Reduce the possibility of exposure to rabies by keeping your animals on yourproperty. Dont let pets roam free. Dont leave garbage or pet food outside

because it may attract wild or stray animals. Wild animals should not be kept as pets. They are a potential rabies threat to their

owners and to others. Observe all wild animals from a distance, even if they seem

friendly.

A rabid wild animal may act tame. Dont go near it. If you see a wild animalacting strangely, report it to the city or county animal control department.

If You Have Been Bitten

Dont panic but dont ignore the bite either. Wash the wound thoroughly and

vigorously with soap and lots of water.


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If possible, capture the animal under a large box or can, or at least try to identify it before

it runs away. Dont try to pick the animal up. Call the local animal control authorities to

come and get the animal.

If it is a wild animal, try to capture it if you can do so safely without being bitten again. If

the animal cannot be captured and it must be killed to prevent its escape, dont damage

the head. The brain will be needed to test for rabies.

Call your physician immediately. Explain how you were bitten and follow the physicians

advice.

Report the bite to the local health department.

If Your Pet Has Been Bitten

Immediately consult your veterinarian. Report the bite to the local animal control authorities. Dogs, cats and ferrets that are currently vaccinated should be revaccinated

immediately, kept under the owners control, and observed for a period as

specified by state law or local ordinances (normally 45 days or more).

Animals with expired vaccinations will need to be evaluated on a case-by-casebasis.

Unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal may need to beeuthanatized immediately. Alternatively, the animal should be checked andimmediately placed in strict isolation for 6 months and vaccinated 1 month before

being released.

If bitten by a rabid animal, other animals should be euthanatized immediately.If Your Pet Has Bitten Someone

Urge the victim to see a physician immediately and to follow the physicians

recommendations.

Report the bite to the local health department and animal control authorities. If your pet is

a cat, dog or ferret, the officials will confine the animal and watch it closely for 10 days.

Home confinement may be allowed. Immediately report any illness or unusual behavior

with your pet to your local health department and veterinarian. Dont let your pet stray,

and dont give your pet away. The animal must be available for observation by public

health authorities or a veterinarian.

Check with your veterinarian to be sure your pets vaccinations are up-to-date.


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After the recommended observation period, have your pet vaccinated for rabies if it does

not have a current rabies vaccination.

Your Family PhysicianIts extremely important that you notify your family physician immediately after an

animal bites you. Your physician can find out if the animal has been captured. Capture

and observation of the animal can affect the treatment decisions of your physician. If

necessary, your physician will give you the anti-rabies treatment recommended by the

United States Public Health Service; and if necessary, will also treat you for other

possible infections that could result from the bite.

For more information on rabies, contact your veterinarian or your local health

department.

Toxoplasmosis

What You Should Know About Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a microscopic parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It

is not a new disease, having first been discovered in 1908. Since its discovery,

toxoplasmosis has been found in virtually all warm-blooded animals including most pets,

livestock, and human beings. Nearly one-third of all adults in the U.S. and in Europe

have antibodies to Toxoplasma, which means they have been exposed to this parasite.

How do people become infected with Toxoplasmosis?

There are 3 principal ways Toxoplasma is transmitted:

1. Directly from pregnant mother to unborn child when the mother becomes infectedwith Toxoplasma during pregnancy.2. Consumption and handling of undercooked or raw meat from infected animals.3. Ingestion of food or water or inhalation of dust contaminated with a very resistant

form of Toxoplasma called the oocyst (pronounced o-o-cyst) during a period

called Stage F.

Pigs, sheep, goats, and poultry are sources of meat commonly infected with Toxoplasma.

Toxoplasma in meat can be killed by cooking at 152F (66C) or higher or freezing for a

day in a household freezer. Of all the infected animals tested, only cats are the perfect

hosts for the production of the infectious and resistant Toxoplasma oocysts. The oocyst,

released from the intestine of cats in their feces, is very hardy and can survive sleet,


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freezing, and even several months of extreme heat and dehydration. Moreover, oocysts

can be carried long distances by wind and water. Thus the threat of toxoplasmosis can be

greatly reduced when Toxoplasma oocysts are destroyed.

Dangers of toxoplasmosis in human beings

There are two populations at high risk for infection with Toxoplasma; pregnant women

and immunodeficient individuals. In the United States it is estimated that approximately

3,000 children are born infected with toxoplasmosis every year. Although the majority of

infected infants show no symptoms of toxoplasmosis at birth, many are likely to develop

signs of infection later in life. Loss of vision, mental retardation, loss of hearing, and

death in severe cases, are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis in congenitally infected

children. Ideally, women who are in frequent contact with cats should be serologically

tested for Toxoplasma gondii before becoming pregnant, because, if they are already

seropositive, they are not at risk of acquiring a primary, acute infection during pregnancy.

The epidemic of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by the human

immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has created an expanding population of susceptible

individuals. Usually, people suffering from both AIDS and toxoplasmosis have been

exposed to the Toxoplasma parasite earlier in life and the HIV infection simply allowedthe Toxoplasma parasite to grow unchecked. These patients develop neurologic diseases

and can experience convulsions, paralysis, coma or even die from toxoplasmosis even

after treatment is administered. Pets can be companions for AIDS patients suffering from

toxoplasmosis and usually pose no additional threat from further transmission of

Toxoplasma parasites. Since cats usually shed Toxoplasma in their feces for only one to

two weeks in their lives and because oocysts are not infectious immediately after passage

from the cat, the risk of human Toxoplasma infection from pet cats can be greatly

reduced with minimal prevention.

To prevent exposure to Toxoplasma:

Follow these steps, especially during pregnancy, to prevent exposure to Toxoplasma:

Change litter daily before any Toxoplasma oocysts can ripen and becomeinfectious (Stage F). Dispose of used litter safely, preferably in a sealed plastic

bag. If pregnant, avoid changing the litter box if possible (or use rubber gloves).

Wash vegetables thoroughly before eating, especially those grown in backyardgardens. Boil water from ponds or streams before drinking when camping orhiking.

Cover sand boxes when not in use to discourage cats defecating in them.


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Wash hands with soap and water after working with soil or after handling raw orundercooked meat.

Cutting boards, knives, and the sink and counters should be washed well aftercutting meat.

When cooking, avoid tasting meat before it is fully cooked. Cook meat thoroughly until the internal temperature reaches 152F (66C) in a

conventional oven. Microwaving is not a sure way to kill Toxoplasma in meat.

How do cats become infected with Toxoplasma?

Although cats can be infected by the same means as humans, the most likely sources of

toxoplasmosis in cats is from eating mice, birds, and other small animals that are infected

with the Toxoplasma parasite. For indoor cats, the most likely source is uncooked meat

scraps. When a cat is exposed to Toxoplasma parasites through the consumption ofinfected meat or tissues, the cat can eventually excrete millions of Toxoplasma oocysts in

its feces each day. This release of oocysts can continue for up to two weeks. Oocysts in

feces become infectious (reach Stage F) after one to two days. Since most cats do not

leave feces on their fur for two days, it is unlikely that humans become infected from

direct contact with cats themselves. Because cats usually exhibit no signs of illness while

passing oocysts, it is difficult to determine when a particular cats feces may be infectious

to people or other mammals. Most adult cats will not pass oocysts eve year. Although the

majority of infected infants show no symptoms of toxoplasmosis at birth, many are likely

to develop signs of infection later in life. Loss of vision, mental retardation, loss of

hearing, and death in severe cases, are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis in congenitally

infected children. Ideally, women who are in frequent contact with cats should be

serologically tested for Toxoplasma gondii before becoming pregnant, because, if they

are already seropositive, they are not at risk of asymptoms of toxoplasmosis, there have

been cases in cats associating toxoplasmosis with pneumonia, liver damage, and loss of

vision. Why some cats show symptoms and other cats do not is not known. Concurrentinfection with other diseases (feline leukemia, feline AIDS) can aggravate toxoplasmosis

in cats. Treatment can be effective if the disease is diagnosed early. A blood test for

Toxoplasma antibodies helps in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in sick cats.

To help prevent Toxoplasma infection in cats, follow these steps:

Keep cats indoors and do not allow them to hunt rodents and birds. Feed cats only cooked meat or processed food from commercial sources.


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At present there is no vaccine for toxoplasmosis in cats. Efforts are, however, underway

to market a vaccine to prevent Toxoplasma oocyst shedding by cats.


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Daily Care

Grooming

Dogs

Regular brushing, bathing, and nail care are essential. Protect your puppys eyes and ears

when bathing, and dont allow the puppy to become chilled after bathing. Your

veterinarian may recommend that you do not bathe your puppy when it is younger than

10 to 12 weeks unless absolutely necessary (especially if your puppy is one of the smaller

breeds).

CatsCats do a good job of grooming themselves, but regular brushing to prevent matting of

hair is important. Cats rarely need a bath, but one can be given if necessary. Cats object

to bathing in slippery tubs, so give your kitten something to cling to, such as a wood

platform or a wire screen. Use a shampoo designed for cats and kittens, as some dog

shampoos may be irritating. Place cotton balls in the kittens ears to keep out water and

use an ophthalmic ointment (obtain one that is safe for kittens from your veterinarian) in

its eyes to prevent burning from shampoo. Towel dry the kitten completely and gentlycomb out any mats. Kittens teeth should be carefully brushed on a regular basis. Your

veterinarian can provide you with an appropriate toothbrush, dentifrice, and instruction

on how to perform this task so that your kitten learns to accept this as part of its daily

care.

MealtimePuppies

Feed a high quality diet designed for puppies. A wide variety of diets and formulations

are available and your veterinarian should be your primary source of information as to the

best choice for your puppy. The amount fed will vary with the type of food and the

individual dog, but in general, should only be as much as the puppy can consume in 5 to

10 minutes at a given meal. Puppies are usually fed 3 times daily when between 6 and 12

weeks old, 2 times daily when 12 weeks to 6 months old, and may be fed 1 or 2 timesdaily when older than 6 months. For certain large breeds of dogs, your veterinarian may

recommend that several smaller meals be fed rather than 1 large meal (even when your


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dog becomes an adult) because an association has been suggested between the

consumption of large meals and a serious medical condition called gastric

dilatation/volvulus or bloat.

Kittens

Feed a high quality diet designed for kittens. Your veterinarian is your best source for

information regarding an appropriate diet for your kitten. Dry foods are usually most

economical and have the advantage of providing a rough surface that will help reduce

plaque and tartar buildup on your kittens teeth, but canned foods can be

fed/supplemented if desired. Amount fed will depend on the diet, as well as the age, size,

and activity level of your kitten. Kittens can be fed free-choice or at set mealtimes;

however, many veterinarians recommend feeding all pets at set mealtimes because intake

can be more easily monitored. Canned foods should always be fed at set times, because if

left unrefrigerated, they can spoil. I recommend use of stainless steel bowls because

plastic and ceramic bowls can scratch, leaving crevices for bacteria to hide. The latter

types of bowls (and resultant resident bacteria) have been associated with feline acne

and skin irritation.


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Recognizing Illness

Only a healthy pet is a happy companion. Assuring your pets daily well-being requires

regular care and close attention to any hint of ill health. The American Veterinary

Medical Association therefore suggests that you consult your veterinarian if your pet

shows any of the following signs:

Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings. Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness, or lethargy. Abnormal lumps, limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down. Loss of appetite, marked weight losses or gains, or excessive water consumption. Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination. Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body. Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores, or a ragged or dull coat. Foul breath or excessive tarter deposits on teeth.

RECOMMENDED TERMS OF REFERENCE AND GUIDELINES

FOR INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEES

The CCACs Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals requires that every

institution in Canada conducting animal-based research, teaching or testing establish an

Animal Care Committee (ACC), and that it be functionally active. The committeesfunctions are indicated by the following Terms of Reference, but not limited to them.

Institutional ACCs (also referred to as animal research ethics boards, institutional

committees on bioethics, and institutional animal care and welfare committees) should be

responsible directly to senior levels within the institution (president, vice-president,

rector, director, etc.). Faculty or departmental ACCs should report directly to the most

senior person within the faculty or department, and should be represented on the

institutional committee.

1. Membership

The complement of the committees will vary and should be determined by the needs of

each institution, but should include:

a) senior scientists and investigators experienced in research animal care and use;

b) a veterinarian, preferably experienced in research animal care and use;

c) a non-animal user;

d) at least one person representing the community interests and concerns.

Provision should be made to co-opt other persons as the need arises, especially forprotocol review.


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2. Authority

The ACC should have the authority, on behalf of the head of the institution to:

a) stop any objectionable procedure if it considers that unnecessary pain is beingexperienced by the animal;

b) terminate immediately any use of animals which deviates from the approved

proposal, causing pain and distress to such animals;

c) humanely kill an animal if pain or distress caused to the animal cannot be alleviated.

3. Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the institutional ACC to:

a) ensure that no research or testing project or teaching program, (including field

studies), involving animals be commenced without prior ACC approval of a written

animal use protocol; further to this, that no animals be acquired before such approval.

This includes internally funded projects;

b) The animal use protocol must include the following information:

1. project title;2. project leader(s);

3. principal investigators and other authorized personnel;

4. departmental affiliation;

5. proposed start date, proposed end date;

6. funding agency;

7. course number, if a teaching program;

8. an indication of funding approval;

9. an indication of the use of biohazardous, infectious, biological or

chemical agents;

10. an indication of biohazard committee approval;11. an indication of radioisotope use;

12. an indication of the categories of invasiveness and the classification

of research based on primary use;

13. anesthesia and analgesia, including dosages and methods of use;

14. the method of euthanasia, if necessary;

15. a description detailing the procedures that are carried out in the

animals;

16. species and numbers of animals to be used;

17. any other information considered important or necessary and

pertinent.


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All information must be presented in a form that all members of the ACC can readily

understand. They must:

c) be cognizant of all modifications to protocols. When these involve major changes in

animal utilization, new protocols must be submitted;

d) review all protocols annually, i.e., within a year of commencement of the project;

e) review and assess all animal use protocols, with particular emphasis on the CCACs

Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals and Ethics of Animal Investigation

and, where necessary, require further supportive information from the investigator or

meet with the investigator to assure that all members of the committee understand the

procedures to be used on the animal. It must also assure that all procedures comply with

CCAC guidelines, and if at variance with those guidelines, require justification for the

variance on scientific grounds;

f) assure that all animal users have the opportunity to become familiar with CCACs

Guide and Ethics statement, federal, provincial or municipal statutes that may apply, as

well as institutional requirements;

g) ensure appropriate care of animals in all stages of their life. Veterinary care must be

available. If such a trained individual is not readily available in the institution,

arrangements should be made to obtain, at least on a consultative basis, the services of a

veterinarian;

h) establish procedures to ensure that:

unnecessary pain or distress is avoided;- anesthesia and analgesia are properly and effectively used where indicated; the

only exception to this may be

when agents must be withheld as a requirement of the study;

- painful studies requiring exemption from the use of either anesthetics or

analgesia are subject to particular

scrutiny, not only prior to approval, but during the experiment;

- post-operative care commensurate with current veterinary concepts isprovided.

i) establish and implement policies which will provide for a system of animal care that

will meet the needs of the institution and include:

the requirement that all animal care and animal experimentation are conductedwithin the guidelines as set out in

CCACs Guide, and any federal, provincial and institutional regulations that

may be in effect;

- the employment of animal care personnel;

- the training and qualification of animal users and animal care personnel;

- standards of husbandry, facility and equipment;

- all activities and procedures that involve animals;

- procedures for euthanasia.


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4. Meetings

ACCs should meet at least annually (most institutions in Canada have programs which

would require more frequent meetings) and as often as necessary to fulfil their terms ofreference and be satisfied that all animal use within their jurisdiction is in compliance

with institutional, municipal, federal and provincial regulations, and the CCAC Guide.

The committee as a whole should undertake site visits within its institution, of all animal

care facilities and experimental laboratories as a committee from time to time, but at least

once a year.

5. General

a) The animal care committee should regularly:

review its Terms of Reference to meet changing needs within the institution, thescientific community, and society

as a whole, and expand on these Terms of Reference to meet the requirements

of each institution;

- review the concerns of animal welfare organizations particularly within their

own community;

- review the security of the animals and research facilities;

- review standard operating procedures;

- review policies and procedures for monitoring animal care and experimental

procedures within the institution.b) maintain liaison with the CCAC secretariat and with provincial authorities where

applicable;

c) develop and maintain liaison with bona fide animal welfare organizations,

particularly those recognized by and affiliated with the Canadian Federation of Humane

Societies (CFHS), and try to foster an open door policy with such groups;

d) sponsor from time to time seminars or workshops on research animal science and the

ethics of animal experimentation;

e) try to achieve and maintain a high profile within the institution and in the community

in order to allay some of the public concerns regarding animal experimentation;

f) be prepared to cope with criticism which may develop from time to time.

In most instances, it should only be necessary for the local or institutional ACC to review

protocols from the viewpoint of the ethical aspects of the procedures and the acceptability

of the methodologies proposed. However, for those projects that have not been subject to

external peer review for scientific merit, the ACC may require that such be obtained, oralternately be prepared to assess the protocol for scientific merit as well as ethical merit.

In such cases it may be prudent to co-opt scientists knowledgeable in the field of research

indicated by the protocol.


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As noted, no project should be commenced without prior approval of the ACC. An ACC

may wish to delegate the responsibility of giving interim approval to the director of

animal care and the chairman or a subcommittee of the ACC; however, such interim

approvals must be subject to final approval by the whole committee.

2. The Veterinarian

The availability of professional assistance from a veterinarian with interest and

experience in laboratory animal science is of prime importance in achieving and

maintaining optimal conditions of laboratory animal care. In addition to the formal

practice of laboratory animal medicine, the veterinarian should be a major contributor to

the development of each institutions animal care policies and procedures.

Adequate veterinary care, as defined by the Canadian Association for Laboratory

Animal Medicine (CALAM), [based originally on guidelines prepared by the American

College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM)], is the basis upon which CCAC

policy is being developed. It includes: the establishment of Standard Operating

Procedures (SOP) for health monitoring and disease control of laboratory animals; the

prevention of zoonoses; and the responsibility for ensuring that proper precautions are

followed for containment and disease control in specialized colonies such as transgenic

animals, Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) animals, biohazard studies, and

the personnel working with them.

Veterinarians associated with facilities involved in the practice and evaluation of

livestock intensive management production methods face an especially challenging

situation which includes ensuring that the subject of stress associated with restricted

space, as it may relate to animal behaviour and well-being, is treated objectively (Mench,

Mayer and Krulisch, 1992; Spira, 1986) (see also Social and Behavioural Requirements

of Experimental Animals).

a) General Responsibilities

i) Disease prevention

The veterinarians duties will include responsibility for a disease prevention program for

all animals maintained within the institution, treatment of ill or injured animals,

maintenance of appropriate health records, provision of advice on anesthesia and

analgesia regimes, antibiotics, anxiolytics, and other therapeutic agents for humane

animal care. The veterinarian should ensure that only approved euthanasia procedures are

conducted and that these are properly carried out (see also Euthanasia). The veterinarian

should also be available for consultation and provide assistance on technical and surgical

procedures.

ii) Education


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It will often prove valuable in educational institutions if the veterinarian is involved in the

teaching of surgical principles and other aspects of experimental animal care and

handling in courses for senior undergraduates, graduate students, technicians, and

investigators.

iii) Quarantine/conditioning

Serological testing is important in determining and monitoring the epidemiological

characteristics of colony infections (Richter, Lehner and Henrickson, 1984). In addition

to determining if an animal is infected with a disease that may pose a threat to the colony,

the quarantine period also serves as a conditioning period.

A veterinarian or a technician with appropriate training and experience should examine

all animals on their arrival for overt signs of disease which may have been exacerbatedby stress caused by travel (Love, 1980; Reinhardt, 1992). Depending on the species,

source, etc., the quarantine/conditioning period should include routine treatment for

external and internal parasites (Owen, 1992), grooming, cleaning, and providing the

animal with clean food and water (see also Laboratory Animal Care; General Practices).

The veterinarian is responsible for ensuring that animals appearing ill on arrival or

suspected of having been exposed to infection are placed in isolation, examined and

treated. If this is not economically feasible, animals should be humanely euthanized.

Small rodents obtained from reliable sources generally require only a physical

examination on arrival. This need not, on a routine basis, necessarily involve the

veterinarian directly; however, s/he should be advised of any health or other problem

involving the well-being of the shipment noted by either the technician or researchers

involved in receipt of the animals.

Information on method of transportation, the suppliers quality control profile, and the

animals former environment should be available and, if not provided, should be

requested of each supplier.

Dogs, cats, non-human primates, and large domestic animals obtained from random

sources will usually be accompanied by only very limited information on their genetic

and medical history. Examination and quarantine procedures for these animals must be

stringent; specific diagnostic testing and immunization procedures should be established

and carried out following institutional SOPs for each specific species.

Federal government quarantine regulations, where applicable, will vary with the species,

the source, and the condition of the animal. These regulations may be obtained from the

nearest district veterinary officer, Food Production and Inspection Branch, Agriculture

Canada.

3. Animal Care Personnel


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We are morally responsible for any living thing that we cause to be dependent upon us,

including animals used in research, teaching and testing. Exemplary standards of humane

care and treatment must be exercised by each person associated with captive animals.

Satisfactory buildings and equipment are, of course, necessary; however, of even greaterimportance is the common sense and concern of all levels of personnel involved in the

care and use of experimental animals. Only the general responsibilities of such persons

can be outlined here; detail will vary with the institution and programs involved.

In every institution utilizing animals, a competent professional staff member must be

clearly designated with overall responsibility for care of experimental animals.

a) Chief or Director

The Chief or Director of animal care in large institutions is responsible for administrationof the animal care facility and should be directly responsible to a senior administrative

official; and should also be an ex-officio member of the ACC. This individual should be

qualified in an appropriate scientific discipline, possess considerable experience with a

variety of species, understand the requirements of research and be a competent

administrator.

This individual should be responsible for establishing or promoting participation in

educational programs which will, at the technical level, improve the quality and

efficiency of animal care and, at the professional level, assist in the proper training of

prospective investigators in the use of laboratory animals.

The responsibility to ensure that animals used for research, teaching and testing are of a

high quality, appropriate to the requirements of the investigator or teacher should also

rest with this individual.

In small institutions, the duties of Director of Animal Care may be assigned on a part-

time basis.

b) The Scientist-Teacher

The scientist-teacher should have knowledge of the characteristics, care and handling of

the species being utilized, and be committed to comply with the guidelines for care and

ethical use of animals as contained in this Guide.

The primary responsibility for the prevention of pain and discomfort in the experimental

situation lies with the investigator.

c) Animal Care Staff

It is the responsibility of the institution, through its ACC, to assure that its technicians

have the opportunity to become as well-qualified as possible. As in any field, opportunity


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for continuing education should be provided, and all personnel should be encouraged to

participate.

Support staff are in a prime position to ensure both high quality animal care and the

success of an experiment through their diligence and daily observation of their charges. Itis noteworthy that distress in animals is not limited to the experimental situation, but may

result from improper housing and handling. Animals respond in a positive manner to

gentleness and considerate attention from their attendants.

Staff working with experimental animals may be involved either in their daily

maintenance or in the performance of primary experimental procedures or a combination

of these roles.


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LABORATORY ANIMAL FACILITIES

A. INTRODUCTION

A laboratory animal facility must facilitate research by minimizing undesirable

experimental variables while providing for the physiological, social and behavioural

requirements of the animal. Different research projects and/or different species of animals

often require differing facilities and environments. To accommodate such needs, an

animal facility must have separate areas for carrying out different functions, specialized

rooms and equipment, and closely controlled environments.

Animal facilities providing the appropriate environment are expensive to build. It is,

therefore, imperative that every effort be made to ensure that any proposed new facility is

programmed, designed, and built to meet the size and scope of current animal use, andyet to be versatile enough to allow flexibility in the years to come.

A number of alternative design approaches to achieve any given functional need are

available. For example, the Handbook of Facilities Planning, Volume 2: Laboratory

Animal Facilities (Ruys, 1991), is a useful reference for the planning phase. Other

references and assistance may be obtained from the Canadian Council on Animal Care

(CCAC). It is strongly recommended that the CCAC be involved at an early stage in the

planning phase and that plans be evaluated by the Council before the start of

construction.

B. LOCATION

Animal facilities should be located so as to minimize public access or through-traffic, as

well as the movement of animals, cages, waste, etc., through public corridors and

elevators. The facilities should be readily accessible by animal users yet easily secured.

Direct access to the outside for deliveries and disposal is desirable. Facilities located on

higher floors should be accessed by a minimum of two elevators, one for clean and one

for dirty materials, unless appropriate measures are taken to clean and sanitize a single

elevator following the transport of dirty materials. For very small and/or satellite

facilities, alternative precautions to minimize contamination may be acceptable.

C. MECHANICAL SERVICES

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for animal facilities are usually quite

sophisticated and costly (see also The Environment). Placement of these systems should

allow servicing to proceed with a minimum of disturbance to the animals and the work

patterns in the facilities. This may be accomplished by placing mechanical services on a

separate service floor immediately above the animal facilities so that maintenance doesnot require entry into the animal facilities. It is, however, more common to locate the

mechanical systems in the ceiling space between floors. In this location all access to the

mechanical systems should be from the corridors, and not from the animal rooms or


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restricted zones such as biohazard areas.

D. DESIGN

The size of animal rooms should be based on the species to be maintained, and a multiple

of the size of pens, cages or cage racks to be contained, allowing for adequate ventilation

and servicing. Animal rooms should be designed for ease of sanitation and hence should

have a minimum of built-in equipment. In many cases, a single, small sink for hand

washing may be all that is required. The placement of the animal rooms and ancillary

rooms will depend on the species, experimental use and microbial quality. The design

should facilitate traffic flow from cleaner to dirtier areas. Rooms requiring frequent

access by investigators should be located near the entry to the facilities to minimize

traffic.

E. MAJOR FUNCTIONAL DIVISIONS

The design of an experimental animal facility should take into consideration the needs of

the experimental animal and the requirements and convenience of the scientists and

technical staff. Good animal care facilities must provide for several separate functions

and sometimes highly specialized areas (Clough, 1986; Home Office, 1986). Animal

holding rooms should be separate from experimental rooms. Important aspects of good

design are provision for efficient and effective sanitation, efficient work traffic patterns

and orderly expansion. The following identifies the major functional areas in an ideal

animal facility.

1. Animal Reception Area

The reception area should be situated so that animals entering it do not pass through

holding or experimental areas. Similarly, waste material should not pass through the

receiving area. It should provide sufficient space for the uncrating and initial examination

of animals as well as for holding them under appropriate environmental conditions until

they are relocated either in the conditioning area or one of the animal rooms.

2. Conditioning Rooms

Conditioning rooms are ones in which animals may be maintained for detailed health

examination, observation and conditioning in preparation for experimentation. The

availability of a proper conditioning room(s) is particularly important where random-

source animals are being acquired (e.g., some dogs, cats, non-human primates, and

animals from the wild). Under certain circumstances, where space permits, it may be

possible and even desirable to immediately house animals in an experimental room,

provided the animals are derived from a single source and contact with other animals canbe avoided.


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3. Holding Rooms

Separate animal holding rooms should be available for each species, from each source,

and for each investigators project. Consequently, it is usually better to have many small

rooms rather than a few large ones. Exceptions can be made where investigators are usingthe same species from the same source for different projects (e.g., antibody production in

rabbits). Mixing should be limited to compatible social and health status groups within a

single species. Where mixing of species is necessary, some degree of isolation may be

achieved by specialized room design, equipment and/or cage selection. Cross-

contamination can be minimized when controlled airflow cubicles, portable laminar

airflow units, and various forms of isolator cages are used. The use of radioisotopes,

infectious agents and highly toxic substances requires special holding rooms. Rooms

suitable for special purposes may also be required (e.g., breeding colonies, controlled

environmental studies and for the housing of both farm and wild animals).

It is important, when designing holding rooms to consider possible future uses of these

facilities. Where animal use has been consistent over the years, it may be acceptable to

design all animal rooms for specific species use. However, in many facilities, animal use

fluctuates considerably, making flexibility extremely important. A flexible holding room

is one which meets the acceptable requirements for housing different species.

4. Quarantine/Isolation Rooms

Within the facility, but apart from the conditioning area, quarantine/isolation rooms may

be required to separate sick animals or those animals returned to the facility after use in

an investigators laboratory.

5. Experimental and Treatment Facilities

Experimental manipulations should not be carried out in animal holding rooms, unless

mandated by experimental design or containment needs and approved by the Animal

Care Committee (ACC). Separate facilities should be available to allow for surgery,

euthanasia, etc.; however, not all need to be located within the animal facilities. The

animal holding rooms should therefore be located as conveniently as possible to theresearch and teaching laboratories.

Animal facilities may include rooms for some or all of the following: pre-surgical

preparation, surgery, post-operative recovery (see also Standards for Experimental

Animal Surgery), radiology, necropsy, diagnostic services, special diet preparation,

dispensary, etc. The design and organization of special facilities will depend on their

intended scope and use; however, even very modest facilities will usually need to provide

a special area or procedures room for minor surgery and/or treatments, and a separate

necropsy room.

Separate diagnostic areas for laboratory animal diseases may not be feasible for smaller

institutions. In such cases, arrangements for provision of such services should be made.


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6. Support Facilities

a) Facilities for Washing and Sterilizing Equipment

Facilities for washing and sterilizing equipment and supplies should be designed for this

purpose and be located so as to minimize disturbance to animals, staff, and neighbours.

Ventilation should be sufficient to prevent odours, excess heat and steam from affecting

the rest of the facility. Sinks for hand-washing and for cleaning specialized pieces of

equipment are useful. Large, deep sinks are useful. Autoclaves and other special

equipment may be located in this area. Ideally, the wash-up area should provide for the

separation of clean and dirty equipment. If spray washing of either cages or racks is to be

used, provision of a walled-off bay with hot and cold water and disinfectant dispenser is

recommended.

b) Waste Disposal

The waste disposal area should provide for proper storage of animal material, excrement,

soiled bedding, etc. Waste awaiting collection should be placed in a dedicated

refrigerated container or cold room. Waste stored outside the facility should be in secure

covered containers. Facilities must comply with local bylaws governing waste storage

and disposal. Toxic, infectious or radioactive waste handling must comply with

institutional, federal (HWC/MRC, 1990) and other regulations (see also Occupational

Health and Safety).

c) Food and Bedding Storage

Small quantities of food and bedding may be stored in an animal room in suitable,

covered containers. Separate cool (


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These functional areas may or may not be combined. It is preferable to have these

adjoining, but not within the animal facilities. Enough office space is required to

accommodate all administrative staff, occasionally technicians, and the extensive records

that must be maintained.

8. Facilities for Personnel

Personnel facilities should encourage high standards of personal hygiene by providing

staff with easily accessible changing rooms with lockers, showers, sinks and toilets.

Depending on the design of the facility, these may have to be replicated in different

zones. Suitable protective clothing should be supplied.

Facilities should be provided for staff rest periods, lunch, and for meetings. It is

preferable that these areas are adjoining, but not within the animal holding areas. An

information centre for staff (which could include books, journals, newsletters, catalogues,

and other related materials) would be helpful.

F. SECURITY

Access to experimental animal facilities must be restricted in order to assure consistent

environmental control and to minimize interferences which might alter experimental

results. Entry and exit should be limited and the facilities maintained secure at all times.

Access should be allowed only to those who have a recognized need to enter. Where a

large number of investigators are using the same facilities, it is often advisable to have

individual room locks. Electronic access control systems are available.

G. CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES FOR ANIMAL ROOMS

1. Floors and Drains

Floors should be seamless, durable, non-slippery, impervious to water and easy to

disinfect. They should be coved to the walls to eliminate any sharp corners. They should

slope towards any floor drain(s) and the proper level of this slope should be verified in allnew construction. Recommended minimum pitch of sloped floors is 2.1 cm/m (0.25/ft).

Special attention should be given to ensuring that this critical component of floor

construction is properly carried out.

It is recommended that drains be provided with a flush mechanism so that a clean water

seal (i.e., clean water in the trap) can be maintained. However, care should be taken to

assure that the location of the flush mechanism does not interfere with cage or pen

placement. Drains should be provided with an adequate cover and pitch basket trap.

Drain and sewage lines should be at least 10.5 cm (4) in diameter. Where dog excreta is

washed down the drain, the diameter should be 15.0 cm (6). Floor drains used for wastedisposal should be placed at the end of the main drainage line. Drains should be checked

regularly to ensure proper functioning, an effective water seal, and absence of insects.


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When not in use, they should be capped and sealed.

Floor drains may not be required in rooms designed solely to house small species. Instead

wet vacuum devices which permit sweeping and mopping with disinfectants or a cleaning

compound may be used.

2. Walls and Ceilings

Walls should be of an impervious material, free of cracks, damage resistant, and easily

cleaned and disinfected. With these kinds of surfaces, noise reduction is difficult. Walls

need not be as resistant as the floor, provided that they are protected by a cove or bumper

guard. Pipe and service sleeves should be adequately closed off and sealed so as to

exclude vermin.

Ceilings within all rooms should be seamless and free of cracks, with ceiling-wall jointswell sealed. In some corridors, it may be necessary to use ceiling tiles in order to allow

access to the mechanical systems. These tiles should be of a type which can be easily

sanitized and which prevent the entry of vermin into the ceiling space.

3. Doors

Animal room doors should be designed and built to exclude vermin. Self-closing, metal

or metal-covered doors with obscurable viewing windows and kick plates are preferred.

A replaceable sweeper pad should be installed along the bottom if clearance exceeds 0.32

cm (1/8). Recommended minimum door sizes are 107 cm (42) wide and 213 cm (84)

high to allow free passage of equipment.

4. Windows

Exterior windows interfere with temperature control due to radiation and conduction

which may jeopardize animal health and research results. They also interfere with

photoperiod control. If windows are already present these should be designed or altered

to minimize the above effects and to maximize cleanliness.

5. Corridors

Corridors should be strategically located to facilitate traffic flow for the desired work

patterns. It may be more efficient to divide the animal facilities into zones with single

corridors than to use a double corridor (clean/dirty; supply/return) system.

Design standards for corridor floors, walls, drains, coving, bumper guards, etc., should

duplicate those for animal rooms. Traffic corridors should be at least 1.82 m (6) wide.

Other corridors should be wide enough to allow free movement of personnel and

equipment. Walls should be free of any projecting fixtures up to a height of 213 cm(84); alternatively, these fixtures should be adequately protected with guards. Exposed

corners should be protected with steel plates or similar durable material. All guards and


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fixtures should be sealed to exclude vermin. Corridors leading to noisy areas should have

double doors or similar noise-trapping devices.

6. Services

Service lines should be located on the floor above the animal facilities or in the ceiling

space above the corridors so as to eliminate in-room maintenance. Separate hot and cold

water lines should be supplied to each animal room for hand washing, cleaning, and

automatic watering. Every animal room should have at least one electrical outlet; these

should be water, insect and explosion-proof. Switches and thermostats should be

similarly designed. An emergency power source should be available in case of a power

failure.

H. CAGING

The size of caging chosen to house each species should be appropriate for that species

(see Appendix I).

Cages and pens must not only confine the animals securely, but also ensure their comfort

and safety by permitting normal postural and behavioural adjustments, and provide for

environmental enrichment. Animals which are social by nature should not be singly

housed unless this is a necessary requirement of the research protocol, and approved by

the ACC (see also Social and Behavioural Requirements of Experimental Animals).

Cages must provide for adequate ventilation, satisfactory viewing and easy access to the

animal. Food and water delivery systems should be designed and located so as to allow

the animal ready access, but prevent contamination with excrement. Cage design should

facilitate cleaning and disinfection.

The intensity of light perceived by the animal, the level of noise to which it is exposed,

the ventilation and temperature of its microenvironment are affected by cage design and

material. Considerable care should be used when choosing the appropriate caging for a

particular species and usage. Caging for animals other than the conventional laboratoryspecies requires special consideration.

Unless contra-indicated by the nature of the research (e.g., nutritional studies) solid

bottom cages should be chosen (over suspended wire caging) for rodents and guinea pigs

in that they permit creation of microenvironments and facilitate provision of

environmental enrichment (see also Social and Behavioural Requirements of

Experimental Animals).

1. Shoebox Cages

The shoebox cages used mainly for small rodents are particularly suited for breeding

purposes. They are usually made of plastics such as polycarbonate, polystyrene, and


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polypropylene. Polycarbonate is clear, autoclavable, and resistant to most disinfectants.

Polystyrene and polypropylene do not withstand high temperatures well. Polypropylene

cages are translucent and offer animals more privacy, which may be beneficial for some

breeds or wild species. However, opaque cages should not be placed on shelves above

eye level since the animals within cannot be readily observed.

A contact bedding (e.g., woodchip, ground corncob, etc.) is used in the bottom of

shoebox cages, allowing an animal to form its own microenvironment. These cages are

considered comfortable for the animal, and the cage of choice for breeding. However,

animals in these cages are in contact with their own excreta and airflow is restricted.

Therefore, it is important to clean the cages frequently. Filter caps restrict the airflow

even more if cages are not individually ventilated. Faster buildup of ammonia, carbon

dioxide and moisture necessitates more frequent cleaning (up to three times per week

may be required). Shoebox cages can be fitted with wire grid floors for certain projects

which require that there be no contact with excreta.

2. Larger Solid Bottom Caging

Large plastic tubs have been used quite successfully for group housing guinea pigs and

rabbits. These tubs must be strong enough to support the weight of the animals contained,

have rounded corners to facilitate cleaning and be resistant to disinfectants. These are

used with a contact bedding.

3. Suspended Cages

Suspended cages may be top or front opening. Most top opening suspended cages use the

rack shelves as the top for the cage. The top opening cages are used primarily for smaller

rodents, whereas the front opening cages are better suited to guinea pigs, cats, dogs,

rabbits and non-human primates (NHP).

Most suspended cages have a floor of wire mesh, steel rod, perforated metal or plastic,

above a collection tray or solid floor. It is extremely important that the size of the floor

perforations be appropriate for the species housed. They should be large enough to permit

excreta to freely pass through, but sm

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Pet Animals a Complete Guide