Isolation refers to the separation of an animal with a suspected or confirmed infectious disease from other patients and general clinical areas, using specific infection-control measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission. ’Isolation’ does not just refer to a physical area of a clinic or shelter; it is a protocol-based approach designed to prevent the spread of infectious disease within a veterinary facility. Effective isolation requires consistent application of strict infection control measures at all times.
Key isolation principles
- Use of appropriate PPE, including gloves and dedicated protective clothing (e.g. gowns, aprons, shoe covers)
- Use of dedicated equipment (bowls, cleaning tools, bedding) that should not be used outside the isolation area unless it has been appropriately cleaned and disinfected
- Strict hand hygiene before and after patient contact
- Clear separation of animals in isolation from other patients, using physical barriers or separate rooms/facilities (our ‘troubleshooting’ article provides advice for situations where there is no permanent isolation facility)
Examples of infectious diseases that may require isolation measures include (but are not limited to):
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine distemper
- Cat flu (FHV, FCV)
- Ringworm (dermatophytes)
Important: the guidelines covered in this section of the website do not apply to suspected or confirmed rabies cases, which require separate isolation and infection-control protocols. Please see elsewhere on our website for guidance on rabies.
Definitions
It’s important to understand the difference between the terms quarantine and isolation. Both practices involve the separation of animals, however their purposes and protocols differ.
Isolation
Managing known or suspected illness.
Isolation is the physical separation of an animal that is suspected or confirmed to have an infectious or contagious disease and may pose a risk of transmission to other animals or people. For example, a dog with parvovirus would require strict isolation to prevent the spread to other dogs.
Animals should remain in isolation until they are no longer considered contagious. The length of isolation will vary depending on the specific disease, the animal's health status, and the clinical presentation. In general, isolation should continue for as long as the animal is considered infectious, taking into account the expected shedding period and disease-specific guidance.
Quarantine
Monitoring animals after exposure.
Quarantine is used to separate and monitor apparently healthy animals that may have been exposed to an infectious disease but are not yet showing clinical signs. The primary goal is to prevent potential disease transmission to the general population while observing animals for early signs of illness.
The length of quarantine will depend on the disease suspected and the circumstances of the exposure. In general, animals should be quarantined for the expected incubation period of the disease, taking into account factors such as the timing and nature of exposure and the animal’s vaccination status.
Animals should not be quarantined without a known or strongly suspected exposure risk, as unnecessary quarantine of an animal can increase its length of stay, contribute to shelter overcrowding, and negatively affect the patient’s welfare through stress and segregation.
When deciding whether an animal requires quarantine, it is important to consider whether a meaningful exposure may have occurred and the incubation period of the disease concerned.
- Exposure: contact with, or potential contact with, an infectious pathogen. Exposure does not always result in infection.
- Incubation period: the time between becoming infected with a pathogen and the development of clinical signs of disease.
Barrier nursing and reverse barrier nursing
Barrier nursing and reverse barrier nursing are infection-control methods used when caring for animals in isolation. The key difference is the direction of protection: barrier nursing aims to prevent infection spreading from the patient, while reverse barrier nursing aims to protect a vulnerable patient from infection.
Barrier nursing
Barrier nursing is used when caring for an animal with a known or suspected infectious disease. Its purpose is to prevent pathogens spreading from the patient to other animals, people, equipment, or the environment. It usually includes the use of PPE, dedicated equipment, controlled access, strict hand hygiene, and appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures.
Reverse barrier nursing
Reverse barrier nursing is used to protect vulnerable or immunocompromised animals from exposure to infectious pathogens. Rather than preventing infection from spreading from the patient, the aim is to prevent infection reaching the patient from staff, visitors, other animals, equipment, or the environment.
Measures usually include enhanced hand hygiene, PPE, restricted access, dedicated or disinfected equipment, and maintaining a carefully controlled, clean environment.
Detailed, practical advice on how to carry out barrier and reverse barrier nursing is provided in the following articles.