Small Animal Dermatology, 3rd edition

CHAPTER 7 ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP AND EMERGING RESISTANT BACTERIAL INFECTIONS 149

TABLE 7.1.

Characteristics of Selected Disinfectants (Modified from Linton et al 1987 and Block 2001). In the public domain from the Canadian

Committee on Antibiotic Research (2008)

Infection Control and Best Practices for Small Animal Veterinary Clinics

, November 2008

DisinfectantCategory

Activity in Presenceof Organic Matter

Advantages

Disadvantages

Precautions

Comments

Alcohols:Ethyl alcoholIsopropyl alcohol

Rapidly inactivated

Fast-actingNo residueRelatively nontoxic

Rapid evaporation

Flammable

Not appropriate forenvironmental disinfectionPrimarily used as antiseptics

Aldehydes:FormaldehydeGutaraldehyde

Good

Broad spectrumRelatively noncorrosive

Highly toxic

Irritant CarcinogenicRequires ventilation

Used as an aqueous solutionor as a gas (fumigation)

Alkalis:Ammonia

Unpleasant odorIrritating

Do not mix with bleach Not recommended for

general use

Biguanides:Chlorhexidine

Rapidly inactivated

Nontoxic

Incompatible with anionicdetergents

Not appropriate forenvironmental disinfectionPrimarily used as antiseptics

Halogens:Hypochlorites (Bleach)

Rapidly inactivated

Broad spectrum, includingsporesInexpensiveCanbeusedonfoodpreparation surfaces

Inactivated by cationicsoaps/detergents andsunlightFrequent application required

CorrosiveIrritantMixing with otherchemicals may producetoxic gas

Used to disinfect cleanenvironmental surfacesCommonly availablesporicidal disinfectant

Oxidizing Agents

Good

Broad spectrumEnvironmentally friendly

Break down with time

Corrosive

Excellent choice forenvironmental disinfection

Phenols

Good

Broad spectrumNoncorrosiveStable in storage

Toxic to catsUnpleasant odorIncompatible with cationicand nonionic detergents

Irritant

Some residual activity afterdrying

QuaternaryAmmoniumCompounds (QACs)

Moderate

Stable in storageNonirritating to skinLow toxicityCanbeusedonfoodpreparation surfacesEffective at hightemperatures and pH

Incompatible with anionicdetergents

Commonly used primaryenvironmental disinfectantSome residual activity afterdrying