02847-A: Assessment of Field Wipe-Down Procedure for Removal of Aerosolized Contaminants on Dogs
Grant Status: Closed
One Health: Yes
Abstract
Working canines are frequently exposed to environmental conditions that contain both known and unknown hazards. Protocols for canine decontamination following work cycles are underrepresented in the veterinary literature, despite evidence of microbiological and chemical contamination in deployment environments. Recent public health concerns have highlighted the need for improved canine decontamination strategies, particularly with respect to aerosolized contaminants. Prior work has established the efficacy of traditional, water-intensive methods on contaminant removal from the coat of the dog; however, it is not known if similar reductions in contaminants can be achieved with simple field expedient methods when resources are limited. The proposed work will incorporate a practical “wipe-down” procedure to effect mechanical reduction of aerosolized water-based particulates from the coat of the dog. The impact of this procedure on microbiota present on the coat of the dog will also be assessed using next-generation sequencing technology; relative abundance of bacterial communities will be characterized prior to and following wipe down. These data will be used to develop models and decontamination strategies for companion and working dogs exposed to aerosolized contaminants and inform procedures to minimize cross-contamination of personnel working with these animals.
Publication(s)
Perry EB, Discepolo DR, Liang SY, Scott M, Williamson K and Bender KS (2023) Biocidal effects of a wipe-down procedure using common veterinary cleansers on microbial burden within working canine exterior coats. Front. Vet. Sci. 10:1219249. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1219249
Discepolo, D., Kelley, R., Jenkins, E. K., Liang, S. Y., & Perry, E. (2022). A Comparison of Canine Decontamination Cleansers: Implications for Water Use, Dermal pH, and Contaminant Reduction. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2022.07.001
Perry, E. B., Discepolo, D. R., Liang, S. Y., & Jenkins, E. K. (2021). Removal of Aerosolized Contaminants from Working Canines via a Field Wipe-Down Procedure. Animals, 11(1), 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010120
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