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.

Not only are certain parasites endemic to the UK expanding their demographic range, but as a result of increasing numbers of animals travelling abroad and many being imported into the UK, more exotic parasites are gaining a foothold. Ian Wright of Mount Vets and Head of ESCCAP UK & Ireland, offers advice on what to look out for in first-opinion practice to try and arrest this parasitic spread.

This chapter covers all of the vital stages of emergency evaluation in the critically ill patient: telephone triage; waiting room triage; primary survey and initial treatment; and secondary survey and the emergency plan. The chapter highlights methods for blood sampling and analysis, acid-base and electrolyte monitoring and cage-side ultrasonography.

Simon Tappin presents notes on Ehrlichiosis.

Reports of Babesia canis being diagnosed in the UK sometimes relate to dogs that have not travelled outside the UK. This is a reminder of the need to be alert to the presence of vector-borne diseases not only in pets which have been abroad but also those with no history of travel. BSAVA has produced key information for the profession about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of babesiosis. Last reviewed 2023.

The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are found worldwide and can cause clinical disease in most mammals. Dogs, and less commonly cats, can become infected with Leptospira, which can cause a variety of clinical signs, ranging from mild and non-specific to severe, multi-systemic, fulminant disease that can lead to death. Both species can also be asymptomatic shedders of this potential zoonosis in the urine, so awareness and control of the disease is important from a public health perspective. . Owners, vets and laboratory personnel may be at greatest risk of zoonotic transmission from dogs, and it is thought that pet rat owners may be most at risk of pet-associated leptospirosis as rats are the main reservoir for L. icterohaemorrhagiae, the serovar most pathogenic to humans. Last reviewed 2023.

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria are of great concern in both human and veterinary healthcare. Animals could be at risk of colonisation or infection in veterinary premises and/or act as reservoirs for colonisation or infection of in-contact humans. High standards of clinical practice and hygiene are vital to prevent the spread of these organisms. Responsible antimicrobial use will help slow the development of resistance and help preserve the efficacy of antimicrobial drugs for the future. This resource includes the BSAVA Practice Guidelines on Reducing the risk from MRSA and MRSP. Last reviewed 2016.

Clinical signs, treatment, systemic treatment options, and more.

Catherine Bovens from the Veterinary Referral Hospital in Melbourne presents notes on leptospirosis.

Clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of ringworm infection.

The clinical signs, diagnosis treatment and prevention of tetanus.