If your pet is ill and has a contagious disease, it is very important that you quarantine that animal from others that live in your home. When humans get infections, we are aware of the illness and will warn people to stay away from us or avoid sharing drinks or food with us lest they get ill as well. Yet when it comes to animals, this communication doesn't happen. Pets will eat out of each other's food bowls, play together, drink the same water, and have contact that could result in transmitting diseases.

If you own livestock, it is extremely important to quarantine these animals when they are ill. Herds can be entirely affected by a respiratory disease or a bacterial disease. Really, any disease that is passed by direct contact or can be airborne should be a concern for those that own livestock. Sometimes when a new animal is introduced at the farm or ranch, the pet may have intestinal parasites which could be spread to others by feces or in feed.

Veterinarians suggest that you quarantine new animals for several weeks before introducing them to others on a ranch or farm or allowing them to make contact with other pets. Normally, a new pet at a ranch or livestock facility should be quarantined for about two weeks. During that time, watch for any signs of disease. Make sure to interact with your quarantined animal last when doing ranch or barn chores. Don't use the same manure fork in the stalls with the quarantined animal or pet the quarantined animal and then make contact with another animal in the barn.

Ensure that your quarantined animal has his or her own water and deed buckets and other necessary items. If the animal is a horse, give your pet its own halter and grooming tools. Don't share any supplies just in case the animal is diseased, as this could facilitate the spread of the virus to others in the herd. Also, you should not share the same bridles and saddles among quarantined animals and those that are healthy. Oftentimes horses sweat on the saddle pads and they will get saliva all over the bit of the bridle. It would be very easy to transfer a dangerous illness if the bridle is used on another horse or if another animal is given the same saddle pad.

Pets MD suggests that the quarantine area should be far enough away from other animals so that there is no nose-to-nose contact. It should also be far enough away that the risk for airborne disease transferring is low. When an animal is in quarantine, make sure that he or she is up to date on all shots and is dewormed as needed. Whether you are quarantining a diagnosed animal or doing a precautionary quarantine, make sure to tell any friends or visitors about your intention and warn them not to make contact with the quarantined animal.

If your pet does develop or show signs of a disease during the quarantine, you will want to hire a local livestock veterinarian to help you with the animal promptly. If you are on the search for a veterinarian near you, this directory can help. You can locate a trusted animal doctor in you general area that may be able to give you extra tips on the quarantine process. Also, you can speak with a local veterinarian about any extra precautions you should take in the quarantining process given the nature of your animal's diagnosis.