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INFECT IOUS HORSE
Nursing the
infectious
horse
Veterinary nurse
Marie Rippingale
XLVets Equine practice
Scarsdale Veterinary
Group
Creates a barrier between the infectious
animal and the owner, nursing staff and
other animals (e.g. wearing protective
clothing, using separate equipment).
NURSING FEATURE...
Isolation facilities
Veterinary isolation facilities tend to be
built at least 50 metres away from the
main hospital and stables. Maintaining
a safe distance is very important as
diseases such as the influenza virus have
been reported to be propelled in excess
of 31 metres in droplets from a coughing
animal. On a yard, a stable as far away
as possible from other horses should be
used, even if this means emptying out a
barn and using it just for the one horse.
A completely separate set of feeding,
watering, tools, grooming and veterinary
equipment should be used. This helps to
prevent the transmission of pathogens on
inanimate objects or 'fomites'. Barrier
clothing is also very important; disposable
protective overalls, boot covers, hats and
latex gloves should be used every time
someone comes into contact with the
isolated patient (Figure 1). Hands should
be washed thoroughly after contact with
the horse even though gloves are worn.
Foot dips and mats filled with disinfectant
should be situated outside the stable to
help prevent the spread of disease.
The area surrounding the stable should
be roped or taped off to keep other
people a safe distance away (Figure 2).
Signs should also be put up detailing the
area is subject to restricted access.
There are different types
of isolation
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EQUINE MATTERS
Marie Rippingale BSc(Hons) DipHE CVN DipAVN(Equine) REVN
Scarsdale Veterinary Group
There are occasions when a patient may need to be isolated
for treatment of an infectious disease. The term isolation
describes the physical separation of an animal suspected of
having or proved to have a transmissible infectious disease.
l
Barrier nursing
Provides isolation of very susceptible
animals (e.g. very young or very old,
after surgery, or with compromised
immunity) in an attempt to protect them
from potential sources of infection.
l
Protective isolation
Is often employed with neonatal foals
suffering from failure of passive transfer
(failure of transfer of immunity from the
mare). In this case the foal is being
protected from outside sources of
contamination e.g. owners, nurses
and other patients rather than the other
way around.
l
Reverse barrier nursing
Figure 1
Figure 2