Sunday, April 6, 2008

The Animal Doctor Wages War


These are some of the items that can be found under our sink which serves as an arsenal, a strong message to our enemies that we are not joking.

Our good friend Waru, who is a great fan of natural and holistic practices, thinks that our mission is an overkill. But it is. Most of the animals that come to us harbor all sorts of disease causing organisms, from the innocuous to the extremely virulent. Most of them can thrive in extreme temperatures and may just taunt your trusty old cleanser. Parvo virus for instance, can only be killed by Sodium Hypochlorite, which is a chemical.

As a matter of fact, veterinary hospitals and clinics are places where an animal could easily contract disease. Good thing if the animal has had prior vaccination and a good immune system, but others, especially the young ones who just happen to drop by for a first check up are open targets.

There is just one thing that worries me though-- SUPER PATHOGENS. If pathogens can develop resistance to certain components of drugs used to kill them, the idea that they too may develop resistance to even the most powerful disinfectant is not far fetched. Now this brings me back to Waru's proposition. Dear Secretary, will you research on this please?


1 comment:

  1. Why I believe salt can be used as a disinfectant and prevention for the spread of CPV.
    Sodium hypochlorite may be prepared by absorbing chlorine gas in cold sodium hydroxide solution:
    2NaOH + Cl2 → NaCl + NaOCl + H2O

    From the chemical equation above, we see that when sodium hydroxide (2NaOH) is combined with chlorine (Cl2), the chemical reaction produces salt (NaCl), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and water (H2O). Basically, salt is a byproduct of the initial chemical combination.

    When hypochlorite is added to water, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is formed:

    NaOCl + H2O → HOCl + NaOH

    Hypochlorous acid is divided into hydrochloric acid (HCl) and oxygen (O). The added oxygen atom makes the acidic mixture a very strong oxidator. Sodium hypochlorite is effective against bacteria, viruses and fungi.

    However, Sodium hypochlorite disinfects the same way as chlorine does for the simple reason that both are basically the same with the exception of the added oxygen in the hypochlorite solution. Both, however, are bleaching agents, meaning, they both attract oxygen which is that which destroys microorganisms.

    The difference between using a commercially prepared hypochlorite solution and salt is that, the former is easily prepared. Just mix the proper proportions in water then apply. The mixture though exudes a particular smell (chlorine gas) and is more corrosive as compared to the ordinary saline solution.

    For your peace of mind, I found this remark in my research:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinfectant

    The use of some antimicrobials such as triclosan, particularly in the uncontrolled home environment, is controversial because it may lead to the germs becoming resistant. Chlorine bleach and alcohol do not cause resistance because they are so completely lethal, in a very direct physical way.

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