The number one action to keep your reptile clean and contribute to their health is to remove their waste and clean the area on a daily basis!
Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4% is an antiseptic. It is bactericidal and bacteriostatic. You can find it under the brand name Hibiclens at most pharmacies. It is broad spectrum, effective on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as against a number of viruses and fungal microbes including yeast, especially Candida. It is effective on 6 strains of Salmonella. It is much less toxic to tissues than other antiseptics. In fact in very dilute concentrations and under vet supervision it can be used for several topical applications. It has residual effects up to 6 hours of antimicrobial protection against microorganisms. Many vet offices use it to clean their exam tables and rooms between animal patients. It is used in cleaning and disinfection at many animal hospitals. It can safely be used for daily cleaning.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4% is an antiseptic. It is bactericidal and bacteriostatic. You can find it under the brand name Hibiclens at most pharmacies. It is broad spectrum, effective on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as against a number of viruses and fungal microbes including yeast, especially Candida. It is effective on 6 strains of Salmonella. It is much less toxic to tissues than other antiseptics. In fact in very dilute concentrations and under vet supervision it can be used for several topical applications. It has residual effects up to 6 hours of antimicrobial protection against microorganisms. Many vet offices use it to clean their exam tables and rooms between animal patients. It is used in cleaning and disinfection at many animal hospitals. It can safely be used for daily cleaning.
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A dilution ratio of 1:8 for cleaning and disinfecting animal enclosures is recommended by Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Large Animal Clinic and Field Service.
This recommendation can be found in their Biosafety/Biosecurity Protocols on page 7. The link is below. Mix the 1:8 in a spray bottle to clean and disinfect. Clean up and remove any waste, then spray a paper towel or cloth and wipe. ***Never spray any cleaner or disinfectant into the enclosure while your reptile is in it. |
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Daily cleaning and disinfection is important. Scheduled deep cleaning and disinfection of the enclosure and everything in it is also necessary. You can find other information following the links below.
Veterinary Teaching Hospital Small Animal Clinic Infection Control Manual
www.usask.ca/vmc/medical_centre/sa_manual.pdf
Chlorhexidine, from Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorhexidine
Beautiful Dragons page on parasites and cleaning
www.beautifuldragons.com/Parasites.html
Medical Dictionary entry and definition
www.medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/chlorhexidine
Article on Common Parasites and Prevention
www.veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/avhc/content/printContentPopup.jsp?id=581790
Veterinary Teaching Hospital Small Animal Clinic Infection Control Manual
www.usask.ca/vmc/medical_centre/sa_manual.pdf
Chlorhexidine, from Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorhexidine
Beautiful Dragons page on parasites and cleaning
www.beautifuldragons.com/Parasites.html
Medical Dictionary entry and definition
www.medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/chlorhexidine
Article on Common Parasites and Prevention
www.veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/avhc/content/printContentPopup.jsp?id=581790