Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, my name is Rob Moss. I have a small collection of 18 boas ranging from juvenile to adolescents. The majority of those snakes are rescues that I have had for 2 years or more, that went through quarantine from each other, but some are newer (within the last six months) that are currently in quarantine cages. Lately I have been using dilute chlorhex. for cleaning, a teaspoon per 28 oz. spray bottle. Today the veterinarian I work for suggested I use dilute white vinegar to safe on money. He is not a herpetological vet. so I wanted to get everyone's opinion on using white vinegar, and if deemed safe, what ratio to use. Thank you very much for reading this, and any responses you may have-Rob

I'm not saying that it may not be sufficient, but I do know that some bacteria and particularly protozoans are resistant to adverse conditions and "encyst" until better conditions prevail. Amoebas that can cause dysentery in humans can survive easily in the normal amount of chlorine in municipal drinking water. If there is any real fear of disease transmission I would stick to chlorhexidine, betadine, chlorine, etc.

Additionally, I do know of people into other types of exotic animals who add chlorhexidine to drinking water, and also some who use holistic additives and say it improves health/prevents disease of the animals naturally.

that is a very good point about organisms encysting until better conditions prevail. Thanks for the info!-Rob

There is a large difference between the chlorhexidine diacetate that is found in Nolvasan and other similar surface disinfectants, and the chlorhexidine gluconate that is found in oral rinses. The diacetate form is more toxic, but is still only effective against bacteria and viruses. Neither of these are anti-parasitic agents, and will definitely not have any effect on most parasite eggs or oocysts. Additionally, I would highly recommend that either form not be used in the drinking water of any animal, as this could have serious side effects over the long term, even in very dilute concentrations.

I agree with the comments on the municipal water supply chlorination levels. The water in U.S. water supply pipes is held at a chlorine residual concentration of 2 to 3 parts per million, and relies on the pipe system to be relative sterile to begin with. This low chlorine concentration has a pretty small disinfection capability, and will definitely not kill many protozoan parasites. These are removed at the water treatment plants before the water enters the supply lines. As a comparison, the standard 5% bleach cleaning solution that many keepers make is approximately 2,500 parts per million chlorine. That's 1,000 times more concentrated than the chlorine levels in tap water.

Kelly

Thank you. I should have read further before posting.
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Sublime Boa Constrictor

Always enjoy reading your posts Kelly. By the way, what do you use and reccomend?

I use a laboratory soap solution made for cleaning glassware every time I clean a cage, and then use it followed by a 5% bleach solution every third or fourth cleaning. In an established collection, where you know all of your snakes are clean, I don't believe there is a need to get too carried away with the heavy disinfection chemicals. However, for known carriers, or quarantined animals, Nolvasan or 5% bleach is a good choice and should be used every time until the issue is resolved. While very obvious with quarantined animals, but even in established colonies, you should still maintain simple and basic procedures to avoid cross contamination of food items and water bowls, unless you are dealing with established animals that have already been housed together at some point.

Kelly

why screw around? All purpose chlorine is cheap. I use 50/50 (sometimes more), and I spray down the entire tub, soak for an house rinse and sun dry for a few hours. Same for soaking water bowls and whatever else needs to be disinfected.
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4.9 BCI (Developing Project)
1.1 Eastern Indigo (Takata/Bruce)
2.3 Western Hognose (Albino/Het Albino)
2.2 Ball Python (Het Pied/Spider/Pastel)
1.1 Chondro (High Yellow/Sorong)
1.1 Kimberly Monitor
1.0 Ctenosaura Conspicuosa (Sexy Tame!)
1.1 Sahara Uromastic (Deer Fern Red Phase)
2.2 Crested Gecko
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (Trophy)
0.0.1 African Long Neck Turtle (Pet)
1.0 Pitbull (Exceptional)
1.2 Kids (Hybrids)
0.1 Ball and Chain (Used)

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>>Additionally, I do know of people into other types of exotic animals who add chlorhexidine to drinking water, and also some who use holistic additives and say it improves health/prevents disease of the animals naturally.
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You shouldn't give out that kind of advice if you're going to leave out important info.

Chlorhexadine has to types. Ch. Gluconate is safe for irrigating wounds, mouth rinse ect. Ch. Diacitate is only for topical use on surfaces, not recommended for use on the animals themselves.

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Just saying.
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Sublime Boa Constrictor

I a use tea tree oil solution. I don't use harsh chemicals on anything but my work clothes. You only need a couple drops of it, works wonders!

great, thanks! I am curious as to the action of the tea tree oil- the reason why I was originally suggested white vinegar was because it disinfects by change of PH- how does the tea tree oil kill organisms? and thank you again for your time-Rob

Tea Tree oil has been shown to kill bacteria, viruses, and insects... however it requires at least a 5% solution to be an effective antiseptic... and the contact time is much longer than bleach and Chlorohexadine..... I would be concerned about possible toxicity... since I have never read anything about it being safe for reptiles..... it contains terpenins which can be toxic in some animals...... just because it's natural... doesnt mean it's safe.......

I personally use CHlorohexadine..... it has proven to be safe... doesnt leave any fumes/ scent.... and doesnt irritate the skin...... Bleach works too.. but I dont like the way the bleach odor lingers even after several rinses..... I run all my water bowls in the dishwater under the sanitize cycle...
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Marc Duhon
Lafayette, Louisiana
SURINAMBOAS.COM
kaiyudsai@SURINAMBOAS.COM

thank you for that info. I will stick with chlorhex. Thanks for your time-Rob