hygiene-what comes to mind?





Quarantine


Cleaning regularly 


Fresh water and food


Parasites


Comingling 


PPE


  • Why is quarantine important?

Mitigate/reduce disease spread 

  • For how long? 

Minimum of two weeks

  • How often do I clean?

Everyday!

  • What am I cleaning?

Litter boxes and floor area. Check bedding. Is it clean? Would you sleep in it? What does it smell like? Is it wet? Is there mold? 

  • What do I clean with?

Dawn soap and hot water is acceptable. IF there is a Parvo outbreak, exposure , or suspicion of one, bleach and water are necessary. 

  • How often should I replace water? 

As often as necessary!

  • Parasites 

Good hygiene habits reduce parasites such as worms, flies, ticks. There should NEVER be caked feces on cage bars. This attracts flies that lead to abscesses and infections. Ticks and fleas can also hide in dirt and fecal matter. 

  • URINE BURNS! How serious is it?

Urine burns are incredibly painful and sabotage valuable climbing lessons for wildlife that survive by dwelling in trees. Always be sure to clean urine off bars, perches and anywhere paws land on. This must be a regular routine. 

  • Why must we clean urine regularly?

When the moisture in urine evaporates, the ammonia turns into a gel. This is like acid on the paws. It is also harsh for young lungs. 

  • Commingling; Why is it so bad? 

The premise of wild rehab is to prepare patients for release back into the wild. 

Mixing species not only creates unnatural behavior; it can also spread zoonotic diseases.