S Cleaning and Disinfection 



Cleaning and Disinfecting Pens, Vehicles, etc. 



As an accredited veterinarian, you are required to help prevent the spread of diseases 

 through cleanhness and the use of disinfectants. In situations involving a contagious 

 disease, vehicles, holding pens, and other facilities must be cleaned and disinfected. As 

 an accredited veterinarian, you must be prepared to make recommendations as to the 

 disinfectant and the techniques to be used for cleaning and disinfecting. 



When dealing w^ith certificates of veterinary inspection and the movement of 

 animals, the accredited veterinarian must be prepared to certify that transportation 

 vehicles have been properly cleaned and disinfected before animals can be moved 

 across State or international borders. In 9 CFR part 91.3 (d), it is stipulated that "the 

 origin health certificate accompanying animals shall be accompanied by a statement 

 fi-om the issuing accredited veterinarian or inspector that the means of conveyance 

 or container has been cleaned and disinfected since last used for animals with a 

 disinfectant approved under part 71.10 of this chapter, prior to loading, or that the 

 carrier or container has not previously been used in transporting animals." 



As a member of the professional community, the accredited veterinarian should be 

 prepared to consult on disinfectants to be used for various disease threats. This is 

 especially critical given homeland security concerns. The accredited veterinarian 

 should cultivate a broad knowledge of the general nature of disinfectants and sources 

 fi-om which suitable chemicals can readily be obtained rather than just superficial 

 information about specific commercial brands. 



You need to be clear, before you approach the task, whether you are disinfecting or 

 sterilizing. Disinfecting reduces the number of pathogenic micro-organisms below a 

 harmful level; sterilizing eliminates all micro-organisms (and spores). It is impractical 

 to consider sterilizing a corral, barn, paddock, or truck. 



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