Recent reports over the past six months have highlighted a worrying surge in cases of canine parvovirus (parvo) and feline panleukopenia (panleuk), creating serious concerns about potential outbreaks for veterinary clinics, pet boarding facilities, and animal rehoming centres.
Both diseases are highly contagious and costly to manage, making outbreak prevention essential to protecting your facility and the animals in your care. This is where effective disinfection becomes critical.
Key steps to effective disinfection
Standard cleaning alone is not sufficient to eliminate parvo or panleuk viruses. These pathogens are resilient and can survive on surfaces despite routine cleaning. Effective disinfection reduces the risk of transmission by destroying viral particles on contact.
- Choose the right disinfectant: Use a product proven to be effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including parvo and panleuk.
- Follow proper dilution protocols: Over-diluted disinfectants may not work effectively. It’s important to follow the instructions provided on your product packaging. When using Safe4 veterinary disinfectant, we recommend a dilution strength of 1:100. For a contact kill when you have known cases of parvovirus, the Safe4 dilution protocol is 1:50.
- Ensure adequate contact time: Disinfectants must remain on surfaces for the specified contact time to be effective. For Safe4, At a 1:100 dilution protocol, the contact time is 30 minutes, but the actual kill time is under 15 minutes. For a contact kill when you have known cases of parvovirus, the dilution protocol is 1:50, with a contact time of under 5 minutes.
- Apply regularly: High-risk areas, such as treatment tables, kennels, and floors, should be disinfected multiple times a day, and always between animals. Pay special attention to communal spaces like waiting rooms and exercise areas.
Why Safe4 disinfectant stands out as a smart choice
Safe4 disinfectant is a trusted choice for veterinary clinics and animal care facilities due to its proven efficacy and safety profile:
- Proven effectiveness: Independently tested and verified to kill canine parvovirus and other pathogens.
- Safe for animals and staff alike: Unlike bleach (which people often recommend online to kill parvovirus), Safe4 does not produce harmful fumes or require rinsing after application.
- Cost-effective: At a dilution rate of 1:100, Safe4 provides a cost-effective solution, with a diluted cost of just $0.34 per litre compared to $0.627 per litre for another leading veterinary disinfectant.
- Environmentally friendly: Non-toxic and biodegradable, making it suitable for frequent use in sensitive environments.
Want to know more?
Parvovirus and panleukopenia pose significant threats to animal welfare and operational efficiency in veterinary and animal care facilities. Effective hygiene practices, centered around the use of proven disinfectants like Safe4, are essential to preventing outbreaks and protecting the animals in your care. By choosing the right disinfection product, having clear and repeatable disinfection protocols and training your team, you can create a safer, healthier environment for all.
For more information about Safe4 veterinary disinfectant or to place an order, you can contact our team on 1300 661 851.