ANTISEPTICS AND DISINFECTANTS

Antiseptics and disinfectants play an important role in microbial cont rol in both the veterinary patient and hospital. Selection of antisept ics and disinfectants should be based on knowledge of their characteri stics. Antiseptics should exert a sustained effect against microorgani sms without causing tissue damage. Disinfectants destroy disease-produ cing microorganisms on inanimate objects, but they lack the efficacy a chieved by sterilization procedures. The key to proper use of antisept ics and disinfectants is using the proper germicidal agent under condi tions that maximize success and minimize complications.