Superb Parrot - Nswfmpa.org

Animal Care Studies - Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmondharmful bacteria and microorganisms depend on moist dark areas for their survival. Ifthese areas are eliminated, it will greatly reduce the chances of diseases becomingestablished. Therefore caution should be exercised, especially for occupied enclosures,before hose cleaning a floor area. Check that there is an established drainage system,there is certainty the floor area will dry completely in a relatively short period of timeand/or the climate is conducive to drying.Walls, partitions, wire mesh and perches should be inspected and cleaned/scrubbed daily,where they have been defaced by any faeces, food items and any other debris that mayhave been dropped or splashed on or against them. Similarly any landscape items i.e.water feature, rocks; in an enclosure should also be similarly kept clean.All enclosures should be totally cleaned out and all surfaces disinfected at least beforeand after each breeding season, when the occupants of an enclosure are changed andalways when there is a disease identified in a specific enclosure. The main purpose tomaintaining hygienic conditions and cleaning out enclosures as often as necessary is tominimise vermin infestation and disease hazards, to reduce odours and prevent thepossible ingestion of harmful objects. Parallel to a cleaning program should be a safe,effective and regular program for the control of insects, ectoparasites and vertebratepests, which must be well established and maintained.A procedure to follow if an infectious disease is identified in an individual enclosure andfor the total cleaning of an enclosure would be to:• Remove the occupants to another enclosure and/or isolate, quarantine, and/or treatas directed by a veterinarian.• Remove all enclosure furnishings, food and water containers.• Destroy, discard and/or clean and disinfect the removed items appropriately.• Sanitise the enclosure by washing with hot water (75°C at the source) and soap ordetergent; or washing with a detergent followed by application of a suitabledisinfectant; or applying high-pressure steam.• Veterinary advice on the matter should be obtained and followed.Disinfection and DisinfectantsDisinfectants can be a valuable tool but should always be a secondary consideration to athorough cleaning of all surfaces in an enclosure with water and detergent in the firstinstance. There is no one disinfectant that is suitable for all occasions. The situationwhere it is considered a disinfectant should be used needs to be fully evaluated to selectthe correct disinfectant to suit the required outcome i.e. chlorhexidine can be used tocontrol viruses and Candidiasis.In all cases a disinfectant must be used strictly in accordance with the manufacturersinstructions and for its specified use i.e. disease control. A commonly thought principlethat ‘use it at a stronger concentration so it will be more effective’ is both dangerous tobirds and incorrect. Most disinfectants tend to be less effective at stronger concentrations.Keith Naylor 28/3/2005 Version 3 38