Disinfectant

Concentration/ dilution

Uses

Comments

Heat and steam

Recommended temperature / pressure-exposure time to produce sterilization with an autoclave is 121℃ at 15 psi for 15 mins or 126℃ at 20 psi for 10 mins (Greene et al). Prions require a heat of 130℃ for 30-60 mins to inactivate (Greene). Washing machines/dishwashers should be set at 60℃ and 30 mins at 60℃ required (Allwood?).

Instruments, floors, work surfaces, dishes, bedding.

The most effective, safe, and broad spectrum of disinfection methods.Steam heat is the most effective for eliminating protozoal oocysts such as Toxoplasma and Isospora.In outbreaks of enteric infections, cardboard litter trays which can be incinerated can be used

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)

5- 6% bleach diluted at 1:32 or less, depending on use. For a detailed and exhaustive examination of the uses of bleach, see table 93-1 in Greene's Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat (4th edition)

Water decontamination, cleaning surfaces, food utensils, litter trays, floors, laundry, instruments and foot baths

The best all round chemical disinfectant.Inactivated by organic debris.One of the few chemicals which will inactivate parvovirus and kill clostridial spores.Loses activity if stored for a long time. [Greene]Caution: can release toxic chlorine gas

Alcohol

Hand rubs are more likely to be used than hand washes (Kampf and Kramer) and reduces bacteria and virus titres more effectively than hand washes.

Contamination of alcohol based solutions has rarely been reported (Weber)Ineffective against parvovirus (Rabenau)

Ethanol

70% to 90% concentration for 1 minute - the higher the concentration, the more effective.Require at least 90% for MRSA control (Perona)

Used along with isopropanol in surgical spirits / scrubbing alcohol and hand sanitisers.

More effective against FCV than isopropanol [Kampf et al 2005] but poor activity against all non-enveloped viruses (Eterpi)No sporicidal activity

Isopropanol

40 to 60% concentration for 1 minute

Used along with isopropanol in surgical spirits / scrubbing alcohol and hand sanitisers.

Less effective than ethanol against FCV (Kampf et al, 2005)

Hydrogen peroxide

Initial flush for wounds for its effervescent action and oxygenation, retarding anaerobes.

Do not use in closed wounds (risk of air embolism).

Sodium bicarbonate

5% for 1 minute effective against FCV[Malik 2006]

Can be used on hands and food surfaces and containers

Cheap and safe, but not effective against some bacteria (Yang 2009) so not recommended.

Acetic acid (household vinegar)

Undiluted vinegar (pH 2.58) 2.5 and 5% acetic acid 1 minute at room temperature will reduce Salmonella Typhimurium and at starting temp of 55oC for 10 mins will reduce Listeria monocytogenes (Yang 2009).

Food surfaces and containers

Information not available about activity against viruses/parasites.Unlikely to be used in practice due to odour.

Citric acid

5% citric acid solutions for 10 mins

Food surfaces and containers

Reduced Listeria monocytogenes after 10 minutes at an initial temperature of 55oC. (Yang)Effectivity against other pathogens unknown.

Chlorhexidine (Hibiscrub)

0.5% in water, saline, lactated Ringer's solution or alcohol [Greene]

Pre-operative skin scrub, hand washing. Gives up to 2d antiseptic protection of skin after single application.[Greene]

Does not inactivate FCV [Park] or dermatophytosis (though works with miconazole)Should never be used in the ear (ototoxic) [Lai] or eye [Greene]Skin irritant at 4% or over [Kampf and Kramer]

Iodine / Iodophors

1-10% solution applied topically

Pre-operative patient / surgeon skin scrub.1:50 dilution povidone-iodine for ocular pre-operative surface disinfectionHand rub

Can be skin irritantIodine surgical scrub was effective in killing MRSA (Perona)Synergistic effect when used with alcohol

Potassium peroxymonosulfate(Trifectant®, Virkon-S®)

Cleaning surfaces and instrumentsFootbaths.

Bactericidal, virucidal, even against parvovirus (10 min exposure).Good activity in spite of organic material. Can even be used on carpets. However, can corrode surfaces.Proven effective against FCV.

Quaternary ammonium compounds, e.g. Benzalkonium chloride

Not recommended except possibly where there is Giardia infection.0.001% to 1%

Used as soap and antisepticHas unusual ability to kill Giardia cysts at 4oC and room temp. Greene ref 306

Algicidal, fungicidal, bactericidal and virucidal against some enveloped viruses. Does not reliably inactivate FCV herpes, parvo.Harbours opportunistic bacteria (e.g. Serratia). [Greene; Weber]Has unusual ability to kill Giardia cysts at 4oC and room temp. Greene ref 306Inactivated by organic materials, soap, hard water.Concern about widespread use leading to antibiotic resistance (Soumet Vet Micro 2012) so not recommended

Phenol-based, e.g. hexachlorophene, Lysol,® Dettol®  Flash® . Essential oil of tea tree or clove (eugenol),.

Not recommended around cats: toxic and caustic

Ultraviolet-C light

influence 30mJ/cm2

For reducing bacterial contamination in whole rooms

FCV more resistant than parvo to UV-C (Nims) Effective against enterococci and Cl. difficile but not Acinetobacter (Anderson)Decreased efficacy in presence of organic material (Nims)

Silver compounds

Impregnated wound dressings

Safe antimicrobial but at present in cats has only been used in wound dressings