Module 5: The Case of the Snotty Cats

More than Housing

Let’s return to the DuGood shelter with the high incidence of feline URI. As the shelter veterinarian was evaluating cat housing, she observed the morning sanitation procedures for the cat rooms.

Watch This (1 min)

Watch this short video on Cat Sanitation practices in the General Cat Room at Du-Good shelter.

This video contains no relevant audio.

 

 

 

A cat enclosed in a cat nabber placed on the floor
A cat enclosed in a cat nabber placed on the floor

 

Three cats enclosed in cat nabbers placed on the floor
Three cats enclosed in cat nabbers placed on the floor

In the Cat Isolation Room, she saw this:

 

Cats placed in wire traps on the floor
Cats placed in wire traps on the floor

Here is the shelter’s protocol for daily sanitation of cat housing. Remember that the cat housing in this shelter is a single compartment cage with 4 sq feet of floor space.

  • Remove the cat from the cage and put it in a cat nabber or wire trap
  • Remove the litter box, bedding, and food/water dishes
  • Wipe the cage down with Trifectant disinfectant
  • Put new bedding, food/water bowls, and litter box in the cage
  • Put the cat back in the cage.

The cat nabbers and wire traps are not disinfected between cats.

According to the ASV Guidelines, it is UNACCEPTABLE to house animals in an enclosure requiring use of forceful animal handling equipment such as control poles or cat nabbers for daily cleaning and care

 

Test Your Knowledge

Think about this protocol and answer the following questions:

 

The DuGood shelter veterinarian calls you for advice on the best practices for sanitation of cat cages. Before making recommendations, review the sanitation best practices.

 

 

Test Your Knowledge

Examine the following protocols for daily sanitation of single compartment cages occupied by the same cats.

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