After some personal experience, I don't think I would ever go for manipulating gut flora. I had a sinus infection a few years back so the doc prescribed a basic amoxicillin. I developed the basic GI symptoms: loss of appetite and diarrhea that I thought were associated with antibiotic use. I finished my round like a good patient, but the GI problems persisted. After a few weeks, I had lost 5 pounds, and was in the bathroom constantly. Come to find out, the meds killed off my beneficial bacteria and I was fortunate enough to have been infected with Clostridium in the past. Then I had to take a second antibiotic that knocked my socks off. I couldn't tolerate food of any sort, just the sight off it grossed me out, and I couldn't get off the couch. I lost another 5 pounds and could only take that med for about 3-4 days. Now I take capsules of beneficial bacteria and 'dirt' on a regular basis to keep that nasty bug in check. Not to mention the fact that I'm not really a good candidate for oral antibiotics in the future. There are so many things in there that we still don't know about and I wouldn't want to upset the balance. I know we're all just playing with the diet idea, but I don't care if I could eat cheesecake for breakfast, mashed potatoes for lunch, and fettuccine Alfredo for dinner, no one's messing with MY bacteria!

I don't hyper disinfect, but I wash bowls when I change the water, I use a spray cleaner when I change the paper (more for odor than disinfecting, which is the same kinda), I wash my hands throughout the day, and I don't eat leftovers more than 2 days old! I do use UVB lighting on my lizards, though. Like someone said, I think if you asked 10 different people about husbandry, you would get 10 different responses. And like with all things in life, if you compare yourself with others, you will always find someone doing it better, and some you are better than! It's a scary trap of pride for me, unless I'm the using the information to make improvements in my situation without judging others.

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