Evaluation of Commonly Used Products for Disinfecting Clipper Blades in Veterinary Practices: A Pilot Study

Microbes on Clipper Blades after Use and Disinfection in Small Animal- and Equine Practice

Clipping hair on animals can produce microtraumas of the skin and the dislodgement of microorganisms to the clipper blade. This study evaluates if clipper blades in animal hospitals in Sweden are contaminated with bacteria and/or dermatophytes after disinfection. Eleven clipper blades from three veterinary referral hospitals, including one with a small animal department and an equine department, were sampled for bacteria and dermatophytes. All the hospitals had disinfection routines in accordance with the national recommendations for hygiene in veterinary medicine. The sampled clipper blades were supposed to be disinfected and they were considered to be ready for use by staff. Five sterilized clipper blades were used as controls. The results showed that 64-100% of the disinfected clipper blades, from all three hospitals, were contaminated with bacteria, whereas all the sterilized clipper blades were negative for bacterial growth (p < 0.05). One clipper blade from the equine department was contaminated with dermatophytes. The results indicate that the disinfection routines were not sufficient for removing bacteria from used clipper blades, and that sterilization would be a more reliable way to minimize the risk of contamination.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF ANIMAL BREEDING PREMISES DISINFECTION BY MODERN DISINFECTANTS

The technological complex of veterinary-sanitary and organization-economic arrangements, conducted for prophylaxis and fight against infectious diseases inevitably includes disinfection, directed on inactivation of pathogenic agents in the environment. At applying new disinfectants in practice in the whole structure of the technological process of animal husbandry products, it is necessary to determine their sensitivity to the circulating microflora. The aim of the study was to establish the effectiveness of using new disinfecting preparations of different chemical groups and to determine regimes of their application in the whole complex of anti-epizootic prophylactic arrangements. Disinfecting preparations “Hermicidan FF plus”, “Peroxan forte”, “Viro-xal” were used in experiments. The quality of the conducted disinfection was controlled by separation of sanitary-representative microorganisms – bacteria of the colon bacillus group. It has been established, that the disinfecting preparations “Hermicidan FF plus”, “Peroxan forte”, “Viro-xal” have bactericidal properties relative to the sanitary-representative microorganisms and can be used in the general complex of sanitary-hygienic arrangements. The disinfectant “Hermicidan FF plus” has bactericidal properties in concentration 0,5 % at exposition 1 hour, preparation “Peroxan Forte” is effective at using in concentration 1,0 % at exposition 1 hour, and the disinfecting means “Viro xal” acts bactericidially in concentration 1,0 % at exposition 3 hours. For today the question of search for new technological, high-effective disinfecting preparations that correspond to existent requirements of biological safety and protection remains urgent.