Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Gollum and most likely Smeagol (fecal sample results coming today) were diagnosed this week to have coccidia. This past weekend I went through and totally cleaned and disinfected everything. This is the routine I went through and will be doing, so I want to see if it is OK compared to what other keepers have done. Any suggestions are encouraged and welcome.

-Tossed old substrate.

-scrubbed and cleaned cages/furniture with Dawn antibacterial dishsoap. (I chucked most of the furniture with the exception of two rocks.

-Soaked cages and furniture in Novalsan for 15 minutes then completely rinsed with clean furniture.

-Dried everything completely.

-Went and purchased 4 rolls of Duck brand shelf liner, 2 per cage so I can alternate while cleaning the other. I rinsed them with water before installing.

Should I change and clean the liners on a daily basis or spot clean daily and swap liners once a week? Also what is the method people with the liners have been using to spot clean with. If I use a diluted mix of Novalsan to spray and clean the poop do I need to remove the dragon from the enclosure or is it safe to leave them in? Is Windex with vinegar safe to use also?

Sorry I know this is a long post, but I am just trying to be a good dad and make sure my guys have the best chance at beating this coccidia thing for good. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I would spot clean with nolvasan after every poop. I also bathed my Beardies in Nolvasan every day.
Reptile room

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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

BigFil:

My beardie was recently diagnosed with coccidia and I am now trating him with albon. Based on all of the information I have gathered and like you, wishing to beat this for good, I have chosen to follow a strict cleaning regimen. The cage doesn't look pretty and it's a bit of work but hopefully the coccidia will be eradicated once and for all. This is what I did:

1. My substrate is Duck shelf liner. I removed it and threw it out. I am using paper now. As soon as Frodo poops I get rid of the paper and put down a new one. Every night I get rid of the paper and spray the cage down with Novalsan. I'll go back to the shelf liner (which is great) and daily spot cleaning with Novalsan once the coccidia is gone.

2. I have removed all of Frodo's cage furniture: basking ledge, hide log and climbing branch. Threw them out. They will be replaced with new ones once the coccidia is gone. I went to Staple's and bought out all of their 6x6 corrugated cardboard mailing boxes. I have put these together with a cardboard ramp to create a basking platform for Frodo. These get thrown out every night and are replaced with a new one. If he happens to poop on it during the day, out it goes and it is replaced with a new one. I found that Frodo would not stay on top and bask much until I cut out pieces of green reptile carpet and stapled them to the top of the box and the ramp up. I guess he doesn't like the feel of cardboard. The carpet also makes it easier for him to scoot up the ramp as the cardboard alone is slippery. I have made about 6 of these ledges and when they run out, I'll make some more.

3. At Staples I also picked up some large mailing tubes and have cut them down into smaller pieces to replace the hide log which I tossed. These also get tossed out at the end of the day or sooner if Frodo poops on or near it.

This is a bit more work but it's really not that bad and will hopefully pay off when Frodo is rid of the coccidia.