Veterinary Practice Management: Vet Disinfectants 101

So, your practice knows animal health, veterinary staff safety, and regulatory health and safety standards. How closely have you examined your vet disinfectants, though? What do vets use to sanitize these spaces effectively without causing more harm?

Weave’s veterinary practice experts describe more below about disinfectants vs. antiseptics, kennel-safe options, and how veterinary clinics can keep things sparkling clean.

What is Veterinary Disinfectant?

Veterinary or kennel disinfectant products are specialized cleaning agents. Your preferred vet disinfectant should eliminate harmful microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses, which ensures a hygienic environment for animals and humans relying on your busy practice. 

However, while both disinfectant products and antiseptics tackle microorganisms, their applications differ.

Disinfectants vs. Antiseptics

Antiseptics are milder and prevent skin infections in wound care treatment or surgical preparation. On the other hand, kennel disinfectant products for vet facilities sanitize non-living surfaces, such as: 

• Floors.
• Feeding and watering equipment.
• Walls.
• Sink tops.
• Operating tables.

What is veterinary disinfectant? Disinfecting agents destroy harmful microorganisms, remove pet odors, and offer long-lasting freshness. Zoos, animal cages, animal shelters, animal hospitals, pet shops, animal laboratories, kennels, and other animal care facilities benefit from this robust hygiene solution.

Key Features of Effective Vet Disinfectants

Disinfectant products specifically designed for veterinary clinics can provide numerous benefits. Many animal care facilities, pet shops, animal laboratories, zoos, animal hospitals, or any other pet animal quarters rely on this day-to-day. 

Broad-Spectrum Efficacy

Kennel disinfectant products provide broad-spectrum sterilization of pathogens in animal feces, sink tops, operating tables, dirty floors, cages, feeding and watering equipment, and more. Vets use them to disinfect surfaces and remove:

• Ringworm.
• Influenza.
• Parvovirus.
• Mildew.
• Fungi.

Rapid Action and Contact Time

Kennel disinfectant products disinfect in seconds, saving veterinary clinics time. For example, wipes might kill broad-range microbes in under 60 seconds, effectively preventing outbreaks.

Safety for Animals and Humans

Is your chosen disinfectant specifically designed for pet animal quarters, animal hospitals, pet shops, animal laboratories, animal care facilities, zoos, vet cages, or operating tables? Is it non-toxic? Quality kennel disinfectant cleaner solutions are also biodegradable.

Common Types of Vet Disinfectant Products

What are 3 common disinfectant cleaner options that vets use? Bactericidal (and virucidal), fungicidal, and sporicidal are primary choices. However, veterinarian and kennel disinfectant cleaner products generally cover these two major categories:

Chemical-Based Disinfectant Products

Common chemical-based kennel disinfectant options include:

• Accelerated hydrogen peroxide: AHP gives powerful, multi-purpose germicidal effects without the harmful odor or symptoms caused by bleach.
• Quaternary ammonium compounds: Antimicrobial QACs are effective against viral illnesses and mold.
• Chlorhexidine: You can disinfect with chlorhexidine to prevent disease transmission. Clean inanimate nonporous surfaces like vet floors, sink tops, or feeding and watering equipment.

Natural and Biodegradable Options

How is your vet practice’s eco-friendliness? Natural vet disinfectants reduce exposure to toxic chemicals and allergies with a biodegradable disinfectant cleaner. Some are specifically designed for kennels and other animal facilities.

Best Practices for Using Vet Disinfectant Products

What are the six disinfectant options used in hospitals and vets by the gallon? You may come across hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, iodophors, peracetic acid, o-Phthalaldehyde, QACs, or even phenolics. Still, even an EPA-registered disinfectant needs best practices for proper sanitation.

Proper Dilution and Application Along Pet Animal Quarters

Vets must follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper dilution per gallon to prevent bacterial resistance and toxicity concerns. For long-lasting freshness and proper sanitation of nonporous surfaces, always follow the label.

Routine Cleaning Protocols

A kennel disinfectant cleaner works only if vet clinics use it routinely. How strict is your disinfection schedule when you clean inanimate objects or nonporous surfaces?  Are your vet staff trained up in all hygienic standards and aseptic techniques?

Facility Design for Optimal Disinfection

Your facility design impacts cleaning effectiveness. Elements like rounded corners offer more effective cleaning.

Selecting the Right Disinfectant for Your Practice

How do vets select the right kennel disinfectant cleaner?

Factors To Consider

Weave’s veterinary practice management experts recommend choosing a disinfectant cleaner that does the following:

• Target your pathogen concerns.
• Ensure compatibility with facility surfaces and equipment.
• Eliminate pet odors.
• Offers cost-effectiveness and easy availability.

Product Recommendations

Kennel disinfectant recommendations for vet clinics or kennels are:

• Rescue™: One-step, fast-acting, long-lasting freshness.
• Davis Dakil S: Multi-purpose, concentrated, deodorizing.
• Ceragyn: Biodegradable, effective on nearly any surface.

The Role of Disinfectant Products in Veterinary Practice Management

EPA-registered disinfectant products go beyond pet odors and sparkle for your practice.

Maintaining High Standards With Minimal Pet Odors

Do vet or kennel disinfectant products contribute to overall clinic health? Yes, by preventing outbreaks and safeguarding patients. As a nice bonus, these products eliminate pet odors and maintain long-lasting freshness.

Compliance and CVPM Certification

Kennel disinfectant products help vets adhere to local regulations. That’s also crucial for CVPM certification.

Weave: Helping Veterinary Clinics Excel

Vet disinfectants clean inanimate objects to keep your animal patients and their humans safe. Get a demo today to see how Weave’s tools can elevate your practice management even more.