Protecting your animals from disease

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Success in raising animals, whether it's for the
family farm, for exhibition, or for recreation, starts with keeping that
horse, sheep, or waterfowl safe and healthy. A new Ohio State University
Extension online booklet teaches young people the importance of
protecting animals from disease and keeping their environment hygienic
and sanitary.

"Prevention: A Young Person's Guide to Keeping Animals Safe
and Healthy," was developed by Ohio State University
Extension-Veterinary Preventive Medicine, in conjunction with the
University of Maryland. The booklet provides a four-chapter discussion
concerning basic medical principles and explains how to reduce diseases
in situations where animals come into direct or indirect contact with
other animals, people or equipment from outside the farm.

"The online booklet fills an important educational gap in
equipping future poultry and livestock producers with fresh, enduring
insights into the fundamentals of animal health and the prevention of
both common and unusual diseases," said Jeff Workman, an Ohio State
University Extension-Veterinary Preventive Medicine program assistant
and one of the authors of the project.

The publication covers controlling external biosecurity
sources, such as the movement of animals, people and equipment, as well
as the construction of buildings, and how to keep animals separated by
species and age; keeping animals clear of pathogens through sanitation
and hygiene; identifying threats to the animal, from external and
internal parasites to predators to bacteria and viruses to toxins; and
safeguarding animal health.

The booklet also provides suggested group projects at the
conclusion of each chapter to stimulate learning and encourage
appropriate action regarding the safety and wellbeing of animals.

Access "Prevention: A Young Person's Guide to Keeping Animals Safe
and Healthy," in PDF format. Unlimited copies are permissible as long
as the copyright notice is not removed.