Keeping Pets (and People) Healthy

Keeping Pets (and People) Healthy

BY Terry Yeates

Email：tyeates@archchemicals.com

Along with the emotional rewards and health benefits of pet ownership also come health risks – pets, and other animals can give us diseases. Animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans are known as zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses. Some common ones, which cause disease in cats and dogs, are shown in Table 1. Whilst this fact is not new, the potential impact is becoming one of growing concern – the list of zoonoses is long and continues to grow as people travel to more remote parts of the world. Below are some recent headlines, which go to reinforcing this point：

. In the last 25 years, all but few of 30 new infectious diseases identified have come from animals, and it is predicted that new infections will increase due to crowded cities, global transport and import of exotic pets (1)

. MRSA super-bug found in British pets (cats, dogs, rabbits) for the first time, so heightening the concern over further spread and control of a pathogen that is already becoming endemic in hospitals (2)

. In the UK, up to 50% of dogs, and up to 60% of cats were identified to carry enteric pathogens (3)

. The United States Centre for Disease Control, estimates that 70,000 people in the US get salmonellosis each year from contact with reptiles (4)

. The recent Avian influenza outbreak in the Far East is related to SARS only in demonstrating how zoonotic diseases can cross to become a threat to human health.

. Additionally, it is reported that feline infectious peritonitis is the leading infectious cause of cat deaths in the UK, occurring in 1 in every 10 cats that are exposed to felling coronavirus (FCOV), with the primary route of infection being the litter.

Pet owners are at risk of contracting a disease or infection through either direct contact with the animal, bites and scratches, or indirect contact with accessories or faces. This risk can be minimised by good hygiene practice, such as routine washing of hands, but further assurance can be gained by use of effective antibacterial products. Such products should only use active ingredients that are considered toxicologically safe to use for both animal and owner, with perhaps more care being required when choosing active ingredients for use near pets. For example, phenolic-based disinfectants should never be used where cats are resident, since the cat liver is unable to detoxify phenolic compounds.

This may all sound alarmist, but it is not intended to be. The intention is to highlight that there is a need at a consumer level, and hence at a product manufacturer level for products which combat the growing risk of disease transmission from pets. This growing consumer need for hygiene products is already evident in the household products sector, where the consumer has less time for cleaning but at the same time is more aware of the needs for improved hygiene. This has driven the growth of products offering greater convenience and activity, fuelling product innovation for control of bacteria, viruses and odours. It is only natural that this trend extends to pet owning consumers, since pets are increasingly regarded as members of the family, for which values are held common. An unfulfilled market opportunity therefore exists for manufactures of pet hygiene products.

This all drives product manufactures to use antimicrobial ingredients which can be utilised in a diverse range of innovative product forms which can overcome the negatives and concerns associated with pet ownership, these being odour, cleaning and hygiene. Such products may include wipes, surface cleaning sprays, shampoos, towels, plastic accessories, cat litter etc. These antimicrobials must provide the required antimicrobial activity, and acceptable safety.

Arch Biocides (see company profile) is able to provide product manufacturers superior antimicrobial technologies, which have proven track records in human hygiene products, and satisfy the needs for pet hygiene product developers. One such technology is PHMB, available from Arch as Vantocil™ TG, Cosmocil™ CQ and Reputex™ 20. These products have been used for many years in hygiene products in institutional settings, household products and personal care products. The PHMB technology has an extremely favour-able toxicology profile, is active against a wide range of bacteria (including MRSA and those shown in Table 1) and viruses (including FCOV), and is able to help control odours. Its versatility allows use in a range of product categories, including liquid cleaners, wipes and treated fabrics.

The features and benefits of Arch's PHMB technology is being recognised by developers of pet hygiene products. An example of this is the recent introduction in Thailand of the Spets™ Bath Tub wipes. This convenient product, developed by Thai Hygienic and containing Vantocil™ TG, provides antibacterial cleansing, deodorising and conditioning of the pet's coat, without use of alcohol, which can cause skin dryness. A further example is the Forbis™ deodorant spray launched in South Korea by Forcans, containing Reputex™ 20. This dual function deodorant and disinfectant spray product, for cats and dogs, may be applied directly to the pet or bedding, blankets and other fabrics, to eliminate odours and kill bacteria.

These products are just two examples of the many development possibilities open to the manufacturer using Arch's PHMB technology. Further, Arch is also able to offer other antimicrobial technologies beyond PHMB, for example our Vanquish™ antimicrobial for providing a hygienic treatment to plastic accessories.

Due to the experience and skills available within Arch, advice can be provided over the suitability of Arch's antimicrobial products for a given application.

For further information：

Arch Biocides

Tel +44(0) 161 721 1702

Fax +44(0) 161 721 4173

pets@archchemicals.com

www.archbiocides.com/pets

References:

(1)   USA Today, June 2003

(2)   The Observer, December 2003

(3)   Unilever Research Port Sunlight, Kings College London

(4)   www.fda.gov

PETS International Magazine No. 5-July 2004