Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

I had a deal go sour earlier this year, and received a sick white-lipped python. The animal had a severe RI and had mites. I got the mites cleared up soon with Provent-a-Mite, but even after a month of antibiotics from my vet, the animal would not eat or drink, and the RI improved only minimally before he passed away. I finally lost him on May 25.

I have had the cage empty since then, but I would like to use it soon to house a new critter. What will I need to do in order to get the cage safe again and ready for use? I'm concerned about transmitting potential disease to anything else that lives in the cage in the future.

Thanks for any info!
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::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 rescued stray grey cat (Ghost)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.0 Leucistic Black Ratsnake (Houdini)
1.0 White-Lipped Python (Midas)
1.2 Panduro cichlids (A. panduro)

You didn't mention the type of cage that it is. If it is made of a non-porous, waterproof material, wash it thoroughly with a mild detergent/bleach solution (and all the furnishings as well). Be sure to rinse it really well afterwards to get rid of the detergent and bleach. If it is porous or not waterproof, I'll defer to more knowledgeable expertise.

Steve

Sorry - it's a custom glass enclosure.

Thanks!
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::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 rescued stray grey cat (Ghost)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.0 Leucistic Black Ratsnake (Houdini)
1.0 White-Lipped Python (Midas)
1.2 Panduro cichlids (A. panduro)

Nekomi,
Wash the enclosure thoroughly with dish detergent and water. After you've rinsed it with water, it's time to soak it with a 10% bleach/water solution. If it cannot be immersed in a tub of solution because of size or whatever, use a spray bottle to saturate EVERY part of the cage. If there are crevices where the sides join the top and bottom, be sure to reach the crevices. Let the bleach solution soak for a minimum of 10 minutes and then rinse, rinse, rinse, and then rinse some more to get rid of all of the bleach.

I use novalsan for routine cleaning, but it doesn't kill everything the way that bleach does. I recently lost an animal to unknown causes (although I suspect old age). Still, I did the above with the enclosure and then sat it outside in direct sunlight to dry, just for good measure.

I am sorry for your loss, and wish you the best with your next animal in that enclosure.
rgds,
althea

Chlorhexidine is as effective as chlorine bleach, though neither will eradicate all pathogens, and Chlorhexidine is much safer to use.
I prefer to use Chlorhexidine followed with steam cleaning and drying out in direct sunlight, as the heat from steam cleaning and UV irradiation from direct sunlight are the two best methods of eradicating pathogens, including Cryptosporidium serpentis, a nasty even chlorine bleach will not eradicate. Also, enclosure furniture should be tossed, especially any wood products and water containers.
In the future, you may wish to consider placing new acquisition into quarantine and using a large tub to house such specimens during this period, as to prevent the possible contamination to a permanent enclosure and the worries associated with such…

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Thanks for the helpful info, Jeff.

The snake and cage came as a "package deal", and yes, he was put into quarantine in a seperate room... but using that enclosure. I'll definitely consider a more temporary setup next time.
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::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 rescued stray grey cat (Ghost)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.0 Leucistic Black Ratsnake (Houdini)
1.0 White-Lipped Python (Midas)
1.2 Panduro cichlids (A. panduro)

Those package deals! I understand the temptation such offers create, but I prefer to stick with my own enclosures, keeps everything nice and matching ;0).
I see that you are working with Apistogramma panduro! I love the cichlids, though all of my current tanks are marine, with the exception of a turtle tank. Have you incurred any success with producing them yet?

Best regards,

Jeff

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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Jeff,

Unfortunately, my husband and I moved a month ago, and I decided to sell my remaining A. panduro pair in order to simplify our move. Right now, my main project is a 37g Oceanic mixed reef - it's taking up almost all my time (and budget)! I am planning on returning to the cichlids in the future, however. I have a spot in the den that would be just perfect for a 75g planted South American cichlid community... I do love the dwarf cichlids, they are my favorite of all the cichlid groups.

When I had the A. panduro in my care, they did breed for me several times. They bred like clockwork almost every month. However, I was never able to raise any of the fry successfully. I came close with one batch of eggs, but still lost them in the end. I'm planning on giving it another shot when I return to the cichlids. Hopefully this time I'll have enough space to set up a proper holding tank for the fry.
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::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron)
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 rescued stray grey cat (Ghost)
2.1 rescued feral tabby kittens (Big Boy, Frosty, and Starlet)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.0 Leucistic Black Ratsnake (Houdini)
1.0 White-Lipped Python (Midas) - RIP, poor fella

How do you do it?!! Where do you find the time to do...well...Whatever? Stay well.
Bob.

Good to hear from you!

Well, I sleep very little and pay for help, starving students in need of cash and biology students in need of experience help often!
Actually, I have drastically reduced the number of Pituophis within my collection, getting rid of the last of them now, and focusing on my Drymarchon and Heloderma projects only. The fish and turtles are pets and my wife is a great source of help with them and the snakes, when she's not taking care of her equines! ;o0

Take care,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Jeff,

You have Gilas as well as Drys?!! Wow! I had kept/bred Tiliqua for years as sort of my make believe gilas (N.J. is very restictive)I am more envious now, although if somebodys got to have it all it's nice to see a decent guy like yourself be the one. Stay well Jeff. Always a pleasure.
Bob.

Is there no way to disinfect the wood furnishings in the cage? Would soaking them in a 10% bleach solution and then putting them out in the sun not be a good idea?

Soaking wood in bleach and placing such back into a reptile enclosure is an open invitation for disaster, as the residual effect of bleach soaked wood would certainly prove hazardous to your charge, if not detrimental. Chlorhexidine would be a safer product for such use and direct exposure to bright sunlight would also be of great benefit, but wood easily provides a safe harbor for pathogens and it would be highly advisable to simply toss such matter out, should it be known or suspected a specimen using such expired due to disease…

Sorry,

Jeff

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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947