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Safe Enclosure Cleaners

Posted By:

JadedNightDragon

In Relation To:

Pantoufle

I was wondering, what do you guys use to clean and disinfect you bowls and such? Not only do I have Pantoufle, I also have a Cockatiel and 2 ferrets in the house, so something that wouldn't kill them would be great. Has anyone tried that Go Green spray? What About Oxy Clean? In Central FL there's a Distemper outbreak, and my monitor might not be able to catch it, but the ferrets can. And I really don't want anything to happen to any of the animals (Well, the bird, I don't care... He's not mine, and very annoying... I'm waiting till the day Pantoufle can eat him! "Where's Sparkles?" "I don't know...") Aloha Vet Clinic says they use HDQ & Re-Juv-nal. I know nolvasan is good, but I want to see if there's something else that's just as good (Or better). Thanks!


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Disinfectants
Tags:	Bird, Cleaning, Disinfectants, Monitor
Species:	Lizards > Monitors > Varanus salvator salvator
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

4/2/2009 1:10:47 AM

gfx

I use either Nolvasan or 50/50 vinegar/water. I use the Nolvasan everywhere, right down to cleaning the tiniest of baby ferret nest boxes out. As long as you're not spraying right next to them (it makes them sneeze), there's no problem with the Nolvasan. I use the vinegar to soak the more stubborn cleaning tasks, like the mortar that ferret poo turns into when they decide the litter box is no longer an appropriate place for such activities. Either should be fine for your tiel too, just move him elsewhere while you're spraying. Or dont. :)

FYI, you can vaccinate your ferrets against canine distemper and you should, its 100% fatal in ferrets. Purevax is ideal, but Galaxy-D should work if you cant find Purevax.

Member Comment

4/2/2009 11:11:02 AM

TVR

I use Nolvasan too. You can get the generic brand chlorhexidine cheaper and it's the same thing. But if you get it try to find the smallest bottle. I have a 16 oz bottle from 2 years ago that is still half full.

Member Comment

4/2/2009 11:39:53 AM

Saffleur

Nolvasan is good stuff hands down. I at one time used Healthy Habitat but I didn't like the oily feel it had. It's good stuff because it's all natural clean while still in the viv type stuff. Just too slick in my opinion.

Member Comment

4/2/2009 3:38:34 PM

Exhume

just posted up a blog about nolvasan check it out. i get the stuff today so i get to try it out. but alot of people in the blog said its pretty good!

Assisted Answer

4/2/2009 7:16:38 PM

BuddyB

Nolvasan is good but it doesn't kill everything, this product is better http://www.petsupplies4less.com/Maxima-256-Unicide-1-quart--pr--005BLN25632

Buddy B

Member Comment

4/2/2009 7:33:13 PM

Saffleur

Looks like good stuff. How does it fare against crypto.

Assisted Answer

4/2/2009 7:58:14 PM

gfx

Hey Buddy - Do you know if that stuff is caustic? For more intensive disinfecting, I've used Rocal-D, Ken-L-Lan and Trifectant. The first two burn my hands a little bit so I dont use them around the animals, I wouldnt want the spray getting into their airway. I'd love to find something just as effective as Rocal-D that isnt as harsh on my hands. I use the Trifectant more for dog show situations when I'm on a multi-day circuit and setting up a grooming area. Its powdered so its convenient to travel with and particularly useful against parvo.
<br /><br />
The above mentioned products need to be applied, then let to sit for at least 10 minutes to be effective. Nolvasan is a great daily cleaner, but ineffective against Pseudomonas. Bleach will kick a Pseudomonas arse and rinses clean if the thing you're disinfecting is bleach tolerant.

Member Comment

4/2/2009 9:22:39 PM

BuddyB

I am not sure about crypto.
I haven't had any skin issues when working with this porduct when diluted. I also rinse with water after I clean when I use this product.
Here is a link to the companies website http://www.brulin.com/productdetails.aspx?pid=56&cid=26 pH of 5.2.
Here is the MSDS for the product when NOT diluted http://www.insco-inc.com/www/downloads/Brulin%20MSDS/Maxima%20256.pdf

Buddy B

Member Comment

4/3/2009 4:11:12 PM

Jono

i use clorhexodine solution 50:1 mix with water. works great

Assisted Answer

4/3/2009 7:40:08 PM

aaron

Unlikely that it kills crypto. The only thing known known to do that is vinear, I believe 10%. ROBBBBINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN?

Unicide is great. I use it to wash my hands too.

But between a bleach soak and an ammonia soak (uhm... not together) you should kill all the nasties.

Or, use styro where you can. I don't disinfect water bowls anymore. Love them arboreals.

Assisted Answer

4/4/2009 2:46:55 PM

youngji

For general maintenance cleaning. I use a 50/50 or 25/75 white vinegar to water solution. This is extremely inexpensive and it is also safe to the animals. The vinegar evaporates very quickly leaving a clean surface behind. It also does a pretty good job of cleaning any mineral deposits off of the glass. I have planted tanks and it doesn't seem to bother the plants either (of course you don't want to just pour a bunch of vinegar in the tank.). If it gets on the leaves of the plant just rinse them good with water. This has worked well for my Ammies. Hope that helps.

Ian

Assisted Answer

4/24/2009 4:18:14 AM

RB3067

Nolvasan is by far the best cleaning product you can use. You have to be sure to get Clorhexadine diacetate which is effective against bacteria, viruses and fungus. The Clorhexadine gluconate will not kill viruses and tends to leave a sticky residue so you may want avoid it. In my opinion it's worth the extra few dollars to get the Nolvasan (Diacetate).

Member Comment

5/11/2009 6:44:42 PM

Jason79

I use clorhexodine also and it seems to work well.

Assisted Answer

6/17/2009 10:37:19 PM

Sam Bearden

Ok here is where people either think I am nuts or they give it a shot and love it let's see.

I have been using Listerine for 9+ years and when I say I use it I mean on everything. From water bowls to cages to snakes and I have never had any issues at all.
This stuff kills the nasties in your mouth for goodness sake and does not kill you.
Not only does it clean and disinfect but it evoporates so there is no need to try to dry it all up and it leaves the snake room smelling like a Doctor's office..

I have spread the word about Listerine for around 5 years now and most thought I was a little touched in the head but the ones who tried it don't use anything else now.

If you are nervous you can dilute it but either way it works great I have a pump spayer that is always full and that is all we use on our cages, bowls and snakes.
Make sure to use the brown death flavor that is the one we have been using no added colors or flavors and what not just good old listerine and yes the equate or off brand stuff is the same thing and works just as well.

Author Comment

6/18/2009 12:58:09 PM

JadedNightDragon

I'm going to try that. Sounds interesting.

Member Comment

6/18/2009 1:31:02 PM

Sam Bearden

Like I said it may not be for everyone but hey everyone that has tried it and gave it a shot swears by it now.

Member Comment

1/17/2011 1:42:02 AM

abi21491

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