BSAVA Foundation Collection

In the context of shelters, biosecurity refers to all the efforts made to control the incursion and spread of infectious disease. This chapter covers external and internal influences on biosecurity, principles of outbreak management, staff and volunteer training in biosecurity, the relationship between stress and disease, and management of specific populations. Quick reference guide: A brief overview of disinfectants.

Diarrhoea is a frequent presenting or developing problem in cats at shelters, especially on or soon after arrival. This chapter covers: normal faecal patterns and diarrhoea, diarrhoea in context of the shelter environment, history taking, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention, and approach to an outbreak of diarrhoea.

This chapter introduces specific welfare and ethical issues that are faced in shelter medicine and outlines the factors that give rise to them. It focuses on two key issues that are the source of many welfare and ethical concerns: the challenges of resource distribution and euthanasia. Quick reference guide: Using ethical reasoning to make decisions.

Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus are important causes of disease in cats. There are important differences between the two infectious agents, particularly in relation to the multi-cat environment. This chapter discusses similarities and differences, and epidemiology of infection, and considers testing in depth, including designing a testing strategy.

Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is the name given to the capture, neutering and returning to home of groups of feral and free-roaming cats and dogs. This chapter describes a set of procedures and practices that are common to control of free-roaming dog and cat populations worldwide. Quick reference guides: Trap/catch, neuter, release (TNR/CNR) checklist; Euthanasia.

This chapter focuses on the control of infectious and parasitic diseases using vaccines and pharmaceutical products, with particular attention paid to flea control and the rational approach to endoparasites. These forms of disease control are vital to the reduction of morbidity and mortality due to infectious pathogens. Quick reference guide: Intake assessment for animals entering shelters.

It is important for veterinary surgeons to have a good understanding of feline infectious respiratory disease, since it represents a continual challenge in the shelter environment. This chapter covers: the challenge of the shelter environment, history taking, differential diagnosis, treatment, potential sequelae, prevention, outbreak management and FCV-associated virulent systemic disease. Quick reference guide: Rehoming a snotty cat.

Skin disease is common in cats and dogs, and can be a reason for relinquishment, abandonment, or even consideration for euthanasia. However, many dermatological conditions are very amenable to diagnosis and effective treatment within the shelter without marked expense. This chapter will describe dermatological problems of particular relevance in the shelter setting. Quick reference guides: Zoonotic diseases in shelters; Dealing with the itchy dog: is it atopic dermatitis?; Exotic diseases in shelters.

Consistent, up-to-date training can help improve animal welfare, staff morale and public perception, as well as reduce the incidence of costly disease outbreaks. This chapter covers the importance of training and education in the shelter environment, planning an educational programme, training delivery examples and why veterinary surgeons should get involved.

Shelter medicine is a newly emerging discipline of veterinary medicine, which involves working closely with charitable organizations. This chapter covers: clinical approach to herd health in companion animals, the decision-making process, challenges of shelter medicine, principles and skills needed to meet the challenges. Quick reference guide: Top 10 tips for shelter medicine vets.