Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone,

So, my beardy decided to make a real mess of himself today. He crapped at the back of his cage and then decided to walk through it all getting it all over his legs, tail and underside. I cleaned his cage and gave him a bath as well. Since he was so filthy, I had luke warm water and I also added some vinegar to it because I wanted to give him a thorough clean. I went about 50:50 ratio vinegar to water. I figured vinegar would be the safest mild disinfecant to use with him on his skin.

The only thing is, he gets a little jumpy when you first put him in the water, and I was a bit concerned if any entered his eyes. After cleaning him up, I rinsed his whole body gently including his head with luke warm water. During the bath, he seemed a tad irritated at the vinegar water getting onto his head and face, but after I rinsed him off, he seemed fine, except for being a bit upset about taking a bath.

Since the bath, he seems fine and his eyes also seem fine. Just wanted to double check with some of you if it was a good thing I did, or could the vinegar have done some damage to the eyes. Personally, I doubt it, as he seems perfectly fine now, and it was diluted with water. I figured it might just sting a little if a bit got into his eyes. And like I said, I rinsed him off from head to tail.

If this happens again, is there any other safe chemical to dilute with water to bathe him in to thoroughly clean his body? Ultimately, I want to do what's best for him. Feedback and advise is appreciated.

Thanks

I think vinegar might be safe if it was diluted way more....maybe a few tablespoons at most per gallon of water, but 50=50 would have severely burned his eyes for sure. Do a little experiment and try to drink some water with half of it being vinegar. You will not be able to drink one mouthful, it's so strong. So,your beardie was fortunate to not have gotten any in it's eyes. I just use water to clean my dragons, since I wash my hands thoroughly after handling, I never kiss them and they are never in my kitchen area. Others may have some ideas for you.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, now, I am more concerned and worried. I do not know for sure if he got any in his eyes, he may have. I rinsed him gently, including his eyes after the bath. Although, now, you have me thinking if he may have any eye damage or just the initial burning when and if it got into his eyes. What do you think???

Wouldn't you notice signs if the eyes were affected after the bath?

I'm sure he's fine ! He definitely would have shown immediate signs of pain, and would be keeping his eyes closed now if any had gotten in his eyes. Sounds like nothing at all went in his eyes.

Thanks for your feedback, I really appreciate it.

I don't recommend using vinegar to wash a dragon at any concentration. Its fine to use to wash his cage etc, as long as time is allowed for it to dry and loose the vinegar smell.

I don't think it will harm the dragon other than be irritating to the eyes and possibly any sores he may have, even say mite bites.

For general cleaning, just plain water is fine. When I wash my dragon for doing much the same as yours did, I use an old soft toothbrush with a bit of non scented soap (ie Ivory) and gently brush soiled areas while holding either the front end or back end of the dragon up to give access. (Making sure his nose doesn't dip into the water too deep of course.) Then rinse with plain luke warm water.

If you really want to disinfect, wash your dragon first in water to get rid of the grime/feces, which should give your dragon time to drink any if he's thirsty. Then with a fresh bath, add betadine till the water looks like weak tea...you can soak your dragon in this for about ten minutes then dry him off. Try to prevent him from drinking any of the water while soaking. This treatment is good for reptiles that have or currently have a heavy mite infestation to disinfect bites etc.
-----
PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess