I love animals. I have always believed that they enrich my life. In doing some research I’ve found a subject in particular that I find very intriguing. Not only can pets and animal interaction enrich your life, they can have psychological and physiological benefits as well. In short, having pets and being around animals can actually be good for your health! 

Studies dating back to the 1980’s have shown that animals are a very good human health aid. Incredibly, various studies of pet owners have shown the following:

In general;

• Pet owners have a significantly lower use of general practitioner services.  
• In many cases there is a reduced risk of asthma and pet allergens in children when exposed to pet allergens in the first year of life.
• Pet owners may have, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Pet owners that have suffered from myocardial infarction tend to have a higher survival rate.  

Dogs owners not only receive affection from their pets, which is soothing and relaxing, they are encouraged to exercise daily. Needing to walk your dog, and having a companion for jogging or long walks is a great way to get yourself moving every day.

Animals are used in different forms of pet-facilitated therapy, and have been found to be a huge benefit for patients. Physical and occupational therapists sometimes use trained dogs with a handler during therapy. The dogs, acting on commands, help patients with a variety of exercises for increasing range of motion or strength development or can help them achieve their goals more quickly. 

Dog therapy has also been used in elder care facilities and group home settings. Dogs are brought in for structured visits. Clients have been found to be very responsive to this type of visit, enjoying the social interaction and the affection.

Dogs are not the only animal used in physical therapy. Over the past few decades pets and animals have proven to benefit disabled children or children that are slow to develop motor skills. Horses are utilized in a couple of ways. Horseback riding, for those that are healthy, or children with disabilities helps to normalize muscle tone, increase flexibility improve coordination and increase strength, balance and circulation. Riding also helps to improve psychological and social functioning. 

Dolphin therapy was first attempted in the 1970s by psychologist, David Nathanson. Nathanson speculated that interactions with dolphins would have a variety of benefits. He speculated that dolphin therapy would increase attention span and improve cognitive faculties. Later studies show that, in fact, dolphin therapy helps children with disabilities learn faster and retain information for longer periods than children with the same disabilities taught in only a classroom setting.

Even though new types of therapies have come about, sometimes reverting to something as simple as having a pet is a great idea! 

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!!

MumblesMom

Summer Safety Tips for Your Pets
from the CT Humane Society

·         Summer is often a time when people fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens. But beware: Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them. In addition, more than 700 plants can produce physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals.

·         With people and dogs spending more time outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the summer months. Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he will bite and provides many other health benefits.

·         Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home.

·         Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats.

·         Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool.

·         Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets while they’re enjoying the great outdoors so they can stay cool.

·         If you plan on traveling with your pet during the summer, take the time to prepare for your furry friends in advance. Many airlines have summer pet embargoes, and most trains and ships do not allow pets other than service animals. The HSUS has information on traveling with your pet that may make the difference between a pleasant trip and a vacation nightmare.

·         Pets need exercise even when it is hot, but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and those with thick coats. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws.

·         Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions.

·         Pets can get sunburned too, and your pet may require sunscreen on his or her nose and ear tips. Pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.

·         Don’t take your pets to crowded summer events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with the heat, can be stressful and dangerous for pets. For your pet’s well being, leave her at home. Be especially aware of these threats during holidays, such as the Fourth of July.

Did you know that as of May 15th, 2008 Polar Bears have been added to the Threatened Species list according to the Endangered Species Act (ESA)? Polar Bears are actually the first species that have been added to this list mainly due to the fact that their habitat is threatened by global warming, which is causing huge controversy. Currently there are between 20,000 and 25,000 Polar Bears in the Arctic region, it is estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey that two thirds of the world’s Polar Bears will disappear in the next 50 years due to the decline in Arctic sea ice. In the last decade the number of Polar Bears has already decreased by about 15%, and as the ice melts the numbers will continue to decrease steadily.

If Polar Bears are added to the Endangered Species list it will have to be a very large impact on our nation as a whole. From coal plants seeking federal permission to emit heat-trapping gasses or an automaker seeking to sell a gas-guzzling car, all of these industries are going to have to keep in mind what is happening with the green house affect. It is believed that the ESA should not be able to have an impact on U.S. climate policy, but if these animals are dying and a species is at a high risk of going extinct, we need to find a solution. It is believed that if the melting ice trend keeps up at the current rate that it’s going then by 2040 the Arctic could see ice free summers. To you and I that may not be a big deal, some people might even be excited by that; but for an animal that lives, breeds, and feeds from the top of these ice forms it’s a very big deal. As of September 2004, the U.S. Minerals Management Service in Northern Alaska has four documented cases of Polar Bears drowning due to attempting to swim a record of 160-mile gap between ice formations..

In the end Polar Bears may not totally disappear, they are raised in zoos internationally, but if this path continues we are going to loose the natural environment of the Polar Bears. Though some people feel that this is not about anything but politics and environmental groups versus industry. I think it’s about not just the plight of the Polar Bears, but coming to our senses that we are destroying environments all around the world without awareness as to the consequences.   Will there be a time that industry and environmental groups can work together to find solutions to these problem?

Let me know what you think.

MumblesMom
Polar Bear Themed Gifts at Whales & Friends®

With summer fast on its way you may be  planning hiking excursions, trips to the dog park, or simply taking your dog for a ride in the car to keep you company while running errands. Most people don’t think about securing their pets while they are riding in a car, however, it should be a major concern. Recently this issue was brought to the surface in my life. As you’ve seen, our dog Carley is not very big, weighing only about 50 lbs. Although she is not a very large dog, she can be thrown around in a vehicle, and could injure not only herself, but whoever is in the car with her.

Back in the beginning of February in the wee hours of the morning my step mother was on her way to drop a friend off at her house, Carley was lying very happily in the back seat enjoying the ride as usual without a care in the world. As my step mother began to go down hill she suddenly hit a patch of black ice and lost control of the car. Knowing she was going to crash my step mother braced herself to try to ensure as little damage as possible. Carley, still lying in the back seat, was unaware of anything that was going on and could do nothing by lay there and sense the tension of her mom.. Finally, the car spun around and the passenger side of the car (the same side that Carley was laying on) slammed into a guard rail. Though Carley was shaken and very much confused as to what had just happened, she was not harmed, nor did she get propelled around the car, which could have hurt my step mother or her passenger. 

When my step mother first bought Carley we were driving around doing some shopping and this poor little puppy could not sit still to save her life. From my lap to the lap of my step mother who was driving, and back again, then sometimes she’d plant herself in the back seat and shortly thereafter want to come back up front again. All this moving around was not safe! While we were out we decided to stop at a pet store and find some sort of a restraint for the vehicle for her so that all of us would be safe. We found a dog seat belt and immediately knew it was something that we needed to purchase. Well thank goodness that we did, because if Carley had been loose in the car on that cold day of February who knows where Carley could have been thrown or who she could have hurt while the car was spinning out of control.

Dog seat belts are very simple to use, there are many different sizes so that any size/weight dog can be safely restrained in your back seat. They are very similar to a harness and some of them even have hooks up the top, which would be on the dog’s back, so that you can put them right in or take them right out of the car with their leash and not have to worry about them getting away from you while you try to fumble with their collar. Dog seat belts are not only very easy to use, but they are also a very good idea to ensure the safety of your beloved family member. As long as you’re buckling up in the car, make sure that your pup is also buckled up.

Because of this accident involving Carly, Whales & Friends® felt it was important to offer a safety restraint for pets. We proudly announce The Ruff Rider’s Roadie Canine Vehicle Safety/Training Harness.  We found that this product has an excellent safety rating and have added it to our product line.

Do any of you have stories of an accident that you got into with your pet in the car, and when you got into that accident was the pet safely secured somewhere or were they all over the vehicle not only causing a risk to themselves but to the passengers as well? Share your story with us.

More summer safety tips to come!
MumblesMom

At the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium on Sunday May 11, 2008, better known as Mother’s Day, a tiger by the name of Toma gave birth to a precious female cub. There were some complications and Toma began leaving the cub the next day. Zoo veterinarians took the cub’s well being into their hands to ensure that she got proper care. As of Monday night, May 12th, the plan was to feed the cub every 4 hours to make sure she was strong and healthy for the reintroduction to her mother on Tuesday, May 13th. The zoo was hoping that due to Toma being a second time mom her experiences in the past would help her with the reintroduction of her cub.

Toma currently appears indifferent to her cub. Examinations turned up no apparent evidence of any illness in Toma or in her cub. Toma’s milk production however, is below normal, which might be a factor in causing her indifference to her newborn.  She is being given a drug to spur milk production in hopes she will begin to care for her cub, which is currently being called Baby Tiger.  In the meantime, the cub is being bottle-fed. If the drug doesn’t improve Toma’s milk production and in turn spur her maternal instincts,  her cub will stay on the bottle. Tiger cubs have been successfully raised that way in the past, but zoo’s prefers its animals to raise their own young, and are working toward the goal that Toma will accept and nurture her baby.

In the past, tiger cubs have been adopted by seemingly unlikely surrogate mothers. A pig at a Chinese zoo cared for three cubs, which played with their piglet “brothers and sisters”. Another rejected tiger cub trio, also at a Chinese zoo, was nursed by a dog.

Toma is an Amur tiger, more commonly known as a Siberian Tiger. Amur tigers are an endangered species due to habitat destruction and illegal fur trade. Every birth of this species is critical to its population. Currently there are only an estimated 400 Amur tigers in the wild, and only about 190 Amur tigers in the Association of Zoos and Aquarium accredited zoos. Unfortunately the mortality rate in cubs, both in the wild and in zoos, is between 30 and 40%, so the veterinarians at the Pittsburgh Zoo are doing their best to save Toma’s little cub.

Amur tigers are some of the largest tigers in the cat world; the males are approximately 10.5 feet long, while the females are about 8.5 feet long. Both male and females are about 4 feet high at the shoulder, so the easiest way to tell them apart is by their length. The males can weigh in anywhere between 450 pounds to 675 pounds, and the females are only about 200 pounds to 350 pounds. Their estimated life span in the wild is about 10 to 15 years; in captivity they can live much long at around 16 to 22 years old. They are able to breed at about 3 years old for females and four years old for the males. Impressively these endangered animals can live in almost any climate so long as they have a few things; all they need is shade, water and food. Originating in the Amur River Valley in Russia Far East, China, and southern Russia Far East these beautiful creatures are becoming critically endangered.  Thankfully the population has grown from 24 in the 1940’s to up around 400 today.

Follow up stories on Toma  and her cub have been scarce, however I have put in a call in to Zoo officials requesting an update and will post as soon as we have word.

Fun & Educational Facts About Tigers
• Much like a fingerprint, a tiger’s stripes are extremely variable between individuals. No two are identical.
• The tiger is the largest living feline. It can weigh up to 675 pounds and grow to 10 feet in length from head to tail.
• Tigers are excellent swimmers.
• When on the prowl, tigers are successful only 1 out of every 10 hunting trips.
• Tigers eat up to 40 pounds, so they can go several days after a large meal before they need to hunt again.
• Tigers are ambush animals and only attack from behind. People who live in wild tiger areas have taken to wear masks on the backs of their heads to discourage attacks.
• Tigers have never existed in Siberia; they actually live in the Amur River Valley in the Russian Far East, in northern China, and southern Russia, which is not close to Siberia. In fact, the only place you hear them being referred to as Siberian tigers is in the United States.

Tiger-themed Home Decor & Gifts at Whales & Friends

Hello Everyone,

Today I want to talk to you about a subject that’s near and dear to my heart. I hope that this touches you in the way it touched me when I first heard about it.

Angel’s Gate, in Long Island, NY is a very special place. It serves as a home and hospice for abused, injured and disabled animals. Some of the animals were born with disabilities, some suffered accidents, neglect or abandonment.

It takes a special person with a heart of gold and a true love of animals to found and run such a place. Susan Marino, the founder of Angel’s Gate, gave up her lucrative career as a registered nurse specializing in pediatrics to create a loving rehabilitation and hospice center for these animals desperately in need of help and a home. Susan has since received her degree as a Veterinary Technician and completed her certification in Canine Rehabilitation. She is also a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator in the state of New York.

At Angel’s Gate there is no fear that animals will be euthanized due to their disability. They are able to live in a happy, safe and caring environment Currently, there are over 200 physically challenged or seriously ill animals living at Angels Gate. Approximately 90% of the canines are from puppy mills. Some of these animals have lived a horrible life with abusive owners and now fear most people. Susan and her team work to provide an environment of trust and compassion.

Angel’s Gate does not discriminate against any animal or any breed and will take them in for whatever reason they ended up in a situation of desperately needing help, including injured wildlife. Many animals are brought in from hospitals around the country, as well as some international veterinary centers. Through Susan’s tireless efforts, Angel’s Gate has developed recognition in the United States and abroad.

Angel’s Gate is a non-profit organization, much like the ASPCA, however they do not adopt out the animals that they take in. Once an animal has become a part of the Angel’s Gate community, they are ensured TLC for the rest of their lives. Susan, her husband and her children, do their best to ensure that these animals are looked at in a different light. This family concentrates not on an animal’s limitations because of disabilities, but instead they focus on what each animal CAN do, providing maximum quality of life.

Angel’s Gate is also an avid part of its community and school systems. Susan visits local public schools and teaches children about how important every life is. Local high school students are allowed to take part in a work/study program and earn high school credits for volunteering at the hospice. Angel’s Gate also works with a local program for emotionally challenged children that have earned the right to do community service. BOCES, a local college in the area, send their recent Veterinary Assistant graduates to Angel’s Gate to obtain further training in their field.

Susan Marino’s determination and steadfast dedication created not only a safe haven for animals, but also touched a community, and a country. Her efforts of combining care for animals in need of help and a home, and educating youth within her community serve as inspiration and a reminder that one person can make a difference. One person’s voice and conviction can galvanize others into action. We can all make a difference.

If you would like to read more about Angel’s Gate, or make a donation, visit their website at www.angelsgate.org.

Summer is fast approaching. I’m excited about the long, warm sunny days ahead. Our pets are sure to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine as much as we are. However, with the glorious days of summer also come some very real dangers for the pets we love so much. Heat.

Animal can suffer from sunburn, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

While it’s wonderful for your pet to enjoy the fresh air, you must be certain to keep track of the temperature outside and the amount of time your pets spend in the heat . Please make sure that if you chain your pet up outside that they have adequate shade to go into when they get hot, and also make sure they have fresh water at all times so they do not dehydrate. Refill water bowls frequently with cool water. Also, remember that a spot that is shady in the morning may not necessarily be shady in the afternoon or early evening! Check on your pet often.

Another real danger in the summer time is leaving a pet unattended in a car. Often people take their dogs with them in the car thinking it will be okay to just “run in” to the grocery store to grab a few items. Without intentionally meaning any harm, an animal can be left to swelter in a car. Perhaps you had the air conditioner running and the car seems cool. Thinking you will only be a few moments, and that your dog may be fine, you head in to the store. What if there is a long line at the checkout or you run into a friend and begin chatting? Within 10 minutes the inside of your car can heat up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit; and if you think that’s hot for you, just think about how much hotter it is for your poor pet who’s got a very thick fur coat. While you are searching for a hard-to-find item or standing in line, or talking to a neighbor, your pet continues to absorb the heat. This can become a very dangerous situation very quickly. If you plan to run errands and you would like to bring your beloved pet with you, ask a friend or family member if they would like to go with you so that someone can sit in the car with them. This way, if the car starts to get too hot someone can either turn the air conditioning on or just simply open the windows to allow for some air flow in the vehicle. If you have to run to the store alone and must bring your pet with you, the best bet is to park in the shade and have the windows down while providing water to your pet in the vehicle; but understand that this is not and ideal situation and your pet could still very easily overheat.

If your pet is showing signs of heat exhaustion; panting excessively, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, or a loss of consciousness, be sure to poor cool water onto their fur coat and work it thoroughly into the fur. If your pet has lost consciousness this is considered a life-threatening situation, a true emergency, and will require immediate veterinary attention.

Leaving an animal unattended in a parked car in the heat, or chained up outside with little to no shade or water is considered animal cruelty. Should you see signs of this or any mistreatment to an animal, please report it to your local animal welfare agency, ASPCA, or the police.

Taking good care of your pets as well as yourself will help ensure a happy summer for you and your family.

MumblesMom

The 2 other very other important animals that have made a huge impact on my life recently is this trouble making pair of siblings, Carley and Smokey. Born in the same litter, these two English Springer Spaniels love to cause a ridiculous amount of trouble in or out of the house. They’re cute and young so they seem to get away with a whole lot around my household. As you can see by the picture above (Carley on the left, and Smokey on the right) these two are the most adorable puppies ever. Carley feels as though she is the princess of the household, while Smokey thinks he runs things, until Carley reminds him that he does not and indeed she does. Almost a year old, they’re both very fast learners, create tons of mischief and want to play outside all the time regardless of weather or temperature. Their favorite outdoor activity is digging up the entire yard, including all the flower bulbs from previous years and the gardens all around the yard.

Both Carley and Smokey attended some puppy training classes and they graduated with flying colors. They have both now surpassed what they learned in their class, though Carley seems to enjoy training with her mommy much more than Smokey. Carley has learned many tricks such as shake, sit pretty, kiss, shake (with both paws), jumping through a hoola hoop, and she is slowly working on learning how to roll over. Smokey on the other hand seems to learn from watching Carley doing all these things, and he only does it because he seems jealous that his sister is getting more attention than he is. Since they recently moved into the same house Smokey has started doing kisses, jumping through the hoola hoop , and learned to shake with both paws all just from watching his sister. I find it really funny how animals can learn things so quickly from just watching and observing one another.

Over time you will see Carley and Smokey, as well as Riley and Jasmine, more and more often in my stories.

What about your pets? Who are they and how do they play a role in your life? I would love to hear from everyone who has a special pet.

Be well,

MumblesMom

After reading some sad stories about pets that I have loved, I intend to come to you now with fun-filled anecdotes, interesting animal facts and more.

Allow me to introduce Riley and Jasmine, my dynamic duo. Riley is a 3-year old, 73 lb. black lab, and Jasmine, affectionately known as Jasmerelda, is a 2- year old short-haired domestic cat. These two animals are inseparable, as you may have guessed from the photo. I have never seen a dog and a cat with such a bond.

Riley, also known as Boo Boo Puppy and Riley Roo, thinks he’s a human being. Of course the fact that we let him sleep where he wants, the couch, the bed, wherever he is comfortable, might have a little something to do with it. He loves to play, but also loves to cuddle, and he sure doesn’t mind when we lay all over him – I think he secretly loves it. Riley is one of the more interesting black labs that I’ve had the pleasure to have in my life, and he surely is the most emotional animal I have ever met. Riley rarely barks, instead he communicates by “talking”. The funny thing is we can usually understand what he is saying, whether it’s “Chase me around the dining room table now and try to get my bone from me. “ or “Can we take a walk now?” He also seems to understand what we say to him, not just commands such as “sit” or “paw”, but meaningful conversation. It’s weird I know, but true. There are 5 of us in my family under one roof, and Riley is much happier when all of his people are home. He gets very excited when anyone comes in the door, but he is certainly the happiest when everyone is in the house all at the same time. My Dad recently started a new job that keeps him traveling. For the first week he was gone, Riley cried and whined every night. He would spend hours lying on my father’s slippers by the door, watching and waiting for him. When Daddy came home Riley was beside himself with joy. When Dad had to go away again, we asked him to “talk” to Riley, explain that he would be gone for a little while, but that he loved him and would be home soon. Ok, by now you are thinking I am totally nuts, I know. Daddy talked to the dog the day before he had to leave again, but said he didn’t think Riley had listened too well. Guess what? Although Riley will go and smell Daddy’s shoes or jacket every now and then, he has not been crying at night and waiting by the door. He seems a bit sad, but still much more like himself since they had their “talk.” More on Riley’s human behavior in another post.

Jasmine is the cat that thinks she is a dog. Again, weird but true. The reason Riley sleeps all over the house is because Jasmine is usually sleeping in his bed. Jasmine will not use a litter box. In fact after a few years of having one that went untouched, we got rid of it. Instead, when Riley is taken for a walk to do his business, Jasmine goes along too. She’ll scamper off into the woods partway through Riley’s walk, then show up a few minutes later. She will walk the entire neighborhood with Riley and I. Our neighbors are used to the site of the dog and cat out for a walk together, but when people are visiting the area they will stop one of us and ask about the cat that’s following the dog. Jasmine certainly thinks she is the Queen of Everything, and in fact we think of her as the Princess of quite a lot. Picking her up is a no-no, but if you need to transport her from one place to the other, you MUST put her on your shoulder and gently hold her tail. This is the only way she will tolerate being carried. She is however extremely affectionate. Many nights I, or another member of the family, struggle to get a good night’s sleep as Jasmine is perched on us in some fashion. If you lay on your side, she lays across you. If you lay on your stomach, she lays on your back. If 2 people are cuddled up, she tries to lie in between them, that is, of course if she is not lying on or under the dog.

Now you know a bit about 2 of the pets in my life. I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little bit about 2 members of the family that bring us tons of joy, comfort and laughter.

Almost immediately after welcoming the newest addition to our family, I became concerned with Mumble’s health. As a student of animal studies, I was noticing some disturbing things about him physically. He never really seemed to rid himself of the little pot belly he had when I picked him up that very first day. Thinking it was just round worms – which many kittens and puppies have – I had him tested and found out that he was not infected with this nasty parasite. Over time his pot belly didn’t disappear, but seemed to grow a little more each week. At the same time he was not gaining any weight. I brought him back to the veterinarian to figure out what was going on. As a student, I did not have enough information to make any determination and my mom had not seen this before with any of her cats. It turned out Mumble had a rare disease called Feline Infections Peritonitis (FIP), a disease that is deadly to young and old cats.

My very first question for the veterinarian taking care of my little baby was, “What can we do for him?” I didn’t care how much it was going to cost; I was going to try my best to make sure that my kitten made it through! We soon found out that FIP was not a disease that was easily treatable, and the medicines used had unreliable results. The next month was very rough for the whole family, knowing that on any given day Mumble could leave us, but still we did everything we could to keep him happy and comfortable and to help him make it through. I was away at school during the week and it was up to my mom to care for him and contact me with any and all changes. One morning, she called to tell me that she knew it was his time. As hard as it was to let go, I knew I had to. He was more jaundiced than I have ever seen any animal, he could hardly breathe on his own, and his belly was very large and very hard. I came home to be with him and held him as he passed away. My only solace was that he was no longer in pain and he was not alone. Mumble will forever be a part of my heart. I always feel he is an angel watching over me. The bond between us was immediate and strong and I’m grateful for the time we had together. I felt it was important for the Whales & Friends Blog readers to get to know me and the pets that have impacted my life. They drive me to work even harder at becoming a vet. Now that this said portion of my story has been told, you can look forward to regular posts with a happier theme. Have you hugged your pet today?

What is feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)?
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a disease caused by a coronavirus infection. Many different strains of coronavirus are capable of infecting cats, but most do not produce serious disease. FIP-producing strains are distinguished by their ability to invade and grow in certain white blood cells. The infected cells transport the virus throughout the cat’s body. An intense inflammatory reaction occurs in the tissues where these virus-infected cells locate. It is this interaction between the body’s own immune system and the virus that is responsible for the disease.
Infected cats shed coronavirus in their saliva and feces. Most cats become infected by inhaling or ingesting the virus, either by direct contact with an infected cat, or by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces like clothing, bedding, feeding bowls, or toys. Although the virus can survive for a number of weeks in the environment, it is rapidly inactivated by most household detergents and disinfectants. An inexpensive and effective disinfectant is one part of household bleach in thirty-two parts of water (4 ounces of bleach per gallon of water).