Does farm and home biosecurity have a practical use to you ?
It does if you mix livestock and your dogs together
or
if you have the daily combination of dogs and the very young and/or the elderly people
or
if your dogs live with you in your home.
Examples: Some viruses like coccidiosis are species specific. If a new chicken or goat brings it onto your farm, you don't have to worry about your dogs. However, rabies is all around us in squirrels, raccoons, and wild dogs and cats, and this is a danger to your dogs and your family. Ringworm is a fungus that is transmittable to humans.
Biosecurity is basic cleanliness and preventation of disease. We should constantly be on the lookout when we bring our dogs out "in public" or bring other animals into our property for the introduction of a new disease or parasite. It doesn't take long for various diseases or parasites to spread, causing pain, discomfort, and cost of treatment.
Example: A 6-10 week old puppy does not have the proper immunity to easily fight off parvo. A pup can pick up parvo on the grass at the gas station, on the lawn of a hotel, or on the floor in a pet store. If you move into a new house, be sure to find out what animals were there before you got there.
Other areas of the introduction of problems can come from used equipment, feed, on the bottom of visitor's footwear, and on their hands as they pet your animals. It may sound like we're talking extremes here, but a little watchfulness and educated common sense goes a long way.
Example: Things that other's animals may be used to may be a pathogen for yours. There is a pretty potent Clostridial diarrhea that circulates among dogs and some livestock. Many breeders with young animals and children ask that visitors don't wear their farm clothes or shoes; park away from the barn and our path of travel, and wash hands before and after their visit.
Your animals depend on your watchful eye to prevent problems by maintaining cleanliness of their surroundings. Also, monthly preventatives such as a flea/tick topical and prescription heartworm medicine and not only protect from the obvious but also closes the door to other complications.
Don't hesitate to go to your vet, your breeder, or extension agents to help you set up a workable biosecurity system and schedule today !
Farm and Home Biosecurity
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