Cleaning of leo enclosures

[Designer Geckos]

A quaternary ammonium product is probably the best germicidal detergent for cleaning and sanitizing any animal enclosure. Diluted 1:256 (1 tablespoon in a gallon of water) and used in a spray bottle, you can spritz a tissue or paper towel and wiped out your enclosure and it will kill almost any bacteria, virus, or fungus.
Instructions say you need to allow a contact time of 10 minutes, but we have done microbiological testing immediately after wiping (incubated rodac plates for 72 hours), and have found zero growth in testing.
The product is also safe and is used in labs even on immune compromised animals in cancer research with no side effect issues.
We use it in all our leo enclosures for fecal cleanup as well as general cleaning, with no adverse effects on the leos, so we know it's safe for them as well.
Lysol, ammonia, bleach, etc. are extremely aromatic and leos can be sensitive to strong chemical-type vapors and odors so I myself would not recommend using those.
The quat product we use is called Quatricide PV15, but there are other quats on the market as well. A gallon would last a very long time since you would use so little diluted down. We mix up a gallon of the solution at a time and fill our spray bottles from that gallon container.

Hope this was useful. I highly recommend looking into it for people who are breeding or have multiple leos, to protect their valuable colony. I recently discussed this with Garrick D and they are switching over to Quatricide based on the info I provided them.
Sorry for the verbose response, but we love our leos and this is a very important matter to ensure their health.

 

[MiamiLeos]

Good info! Thanks for the tip!

 

[robin]

i agree quatricide is very good however one thing about it is that you MUST wash it thoroughly. i used to use quatricide before i found out about the toxicity of this product if not used correctly.
a safer alternative is Chlorhexidine.

 

[Designer Geckos]

i agree quatricide is very good however one thing about it is that you MUST wash it thoroughly. i used to use quatricide before i found out about the toxicity of this product if not used correctly.
a safer alternative is Chlorhexidine.

Actually, not very toxic at all. Water valves in racks housing immune compromised mice have been sprayed routinely to prevent staph, etc. from developing on the valve with zero side effects to the animals. This is perhaps the ultimate test because these animals are extremely fragile, no thymus gland, T cells, etc.

Based on that, as well as other extensive testing, I think any very slight residual left on surfaces is safe, and may actually be beneficial because it forms an antimicrobial barrier then.

I do agree that it should be wiped off very thoroughly, but rinsing is not necessary if it is used properly. We all have our preferences, and there are many good products out there, but based on many years using quats, I feel they are very safe or I wouldn't be using it on my collection worth many thousands of dollars.

 

[Designer Geckos]

Just a followup on this....

Chlorhexidine has potent antimicrobial activity against most gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria but not against spores. A 0.1% aqueous solution is bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 15 sec. However, it is relatively ineffective against other gram-negative organisms, spores, fungi, and most viruses.

It does have a good tox profile, however there are many tox issues associated with it as well. Heck, even if you drink too much water it can kill you!

All in all, though, it is also a great product. I like the quats because they also kill fungus and viruses, and have been proven safe. Again, all a matter of individual preference.

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Just a followup on this....

Chlorhexidine has potent antimicrobial activity against most gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria but not against spores. A 0.1% aqueous solution is bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 15 sec. However, it is relatively ineffective against other gram-negative organisms, spores, fungi, and most viruses.

It does have a good tox profile, however there are many tox issues associated with it as well. Heck, even if you drink too much water it can kill you!

All in all, though, it is also a great product. I like the quats because they also kill fungus and viruses, and have been proven safe. Again, all a matter of individual preference.

Fantastic information! I have been using Chlorexidine for some time now. I think I will make the switch or at least start testing with the other. Very interesting.
:main_thumbsup:

 

[Tony C]

Do you know if any research has been done regarding the safety of quats when used in amphibian enclosures?

 

[Designer Geckos]

Do you know if any research has been done regarding the safety of quats when used in amphibian enclosures?

Hi Tony,

I do know that the pharmaceutical industry uses a lot of amphibians in their research, and many use quats routinely in their cleaning SOPs. I have not used them myself in amphibians, but I would think that, if used as directed, it should be fine to use for them. I would minimize any residual quat, especially in amphibians, just to be on the safe side.

If I were raising amphs, I would not hesitate to use quat, especially to ensure they do not get bacterial problems like Red Leg.

Here's a reference to Quat I saw with amphs:

Smell your vivarium daily. It should always have a rich earthy/mossy smell. If it has a rotten or sulfurous odor, check into what's causing the problem and remedy right away. Spray Quat regularly. Once monthly, completely clean the floor/substrate and plants of the vivarium. If no filter on water source, change daily with clean, treated water, after scrubbing the water container clean of any slime build-up. If you have a sponge-type filter on the water, change the water three times weekly. Doing these few things each day will go a long way in insuring the thriving health of froggy.

 

[robin]

It does have a good tox profile, however there are many tox issues associated with it as well. Heck, even if you drink too much water it can kill you!

i gargle with it, seriously

 

[Tony C]

Thanks Ray. I don't use anything except water to clean the glass in my vivs, but I have been looking for something I can use on quarantine and tadpole/froglet tubs, I have been using diluted bleach, but that stuff is nasty. I will give quats a try, the anti-fungal property is a big selling point for it over chlorhexadine.

 

[robin]

Here's a reference to Quat I saw with amphs:

Smell your vivarium daily. It should always have a rich earthy/mossy smell. If it has a rotten or sulfurous odor, check into what's causing the problem and remedy right away. Spray Quat regularly. Once monthly, completely clean the floor/substrate and plants of the vivarium. If no filter on water source, change daily with clean, treated water, after scrubbing the water container clean of any slime build-up. If you have a sponge-type filter on the water, change the water three times weekly. Doing these few things each day will go a long way in insuring the thriving health of froggy.

where did you get your info on this?

also i got my info from a reptile and avian vet (two different veterinarians) and they suggested Chlorhexidine over the Quatricide because of safety reasons. shoot even a human doctor suggested Chlorhexidine over Quatricide. Reason being the toxicity factor in all three cases.

i can see using Quatricide in a monthly routine and rinse and dry everything extremely well but on a day to day cleaning regimen i would not risk it on my animals especially my hatchlings.

 

[Designer Geckos]

i gargle with it, seriously

That's fine. Just don't swallow or you could turn into a gecko!

 

[Designer Geckos]

where did you get your info on this?

also i got my info from a reptile and avian vet (two different veterinarians) and they suggested Chlorhexidine over the Quatricide because of safety reasons. shoot even a human doctor suggested Chlorhexidine over Quatricide. Reason being the toxicity factor in all three cases.

i can see using Quatricide in a monthly routine and rinse and dry everything extremely well but on a day to day cleaning regimen i would not risk it on my animals especially my hatchlings.

Hi Poopcork,

I saw that reference from one of the amphibian breeders online.

As for doctors and vets recommending chlor over quat.......I have also talked to many vets over the years who prefer quat because of its much broader efficacy. As for human doctors...well they sometimes scare me with how little they really know....

Is quat toxic? Sure, if used incorrectly. Is chlor toxic? Sure, if used incorrectly.

I go by my own many years of experience in research using quat (safety in animals included), along with tons of research in the field to back up its effectiveness and safety....if used correctly. Nolvasan is a great product too, but it just doesn't have the broad spectrum activity of a quat.

If anyone wishes to PM me I can send a PDF file on quat PV15 that goes into great detail about its activity, etc.

Thanks. Good dialogue! Gargling and all.......:main_laugh:

 

[Zero99]

is there any product that have quat coz im from the philippines i think i cant get a quat here.

 

[Designer Geckos]

is there any product that have quat coz im from the philippines i think i cant get a quat here.

I'm sure you can find a quaternary ammonium product there. Check with your laboratory supply companies, or any company that supplies research labs, zoos, etc. Your local zoo should be able to give you a contact.

Good luck.

 

[Zero99]

I'm sure you can find a quaternary ammonium product there. Check with your laboratory supply companies, or any company that supplies research labs, zoos, etc. Your local zoo should be able to give you a contact.

Good luck.

Tnx i found one but i dont know if its the right one. i saw Viroguard and Viroshield, the Viroguard contents of Quaternary ammonium compound / Gluteraldehyde / Formaldehyde while the Viroshiled content is Quaternary ammonium compound 10%, Gluteraldehyde 15%. you think this is the right one coz the website tells they supply to a poultry and livestock.

Here the site http://www.p-and-j.com.ph/index2.htm

 

[Designer Geckos]

Tnx i found one but i dont know if its the right one. i saw Viroguard and Viroshield, the Viroguard contents of Quaternary ammonium compound / Gluteraldehyde / Formaldehyde while the Viroshiled content is Quaternary ammonium compound 10%, Gluteraldehyde 15%. you think this is the right one coz the website tells they supply to a poultry and livestock.

Here the site http://www.p-and-j.com.ph/index2.htm

Best thing would be to go to Pharmacal's website to compare ingredients. You can also call them if the info you seek is not on their site. Is the dilution for your product 1:256 (1/2 oz per gallon of water?).

 

[Vegas_Eric]

Where can you pick quats up at?

Thank you,

Eric

Just a followup on this....

Chlorhexidine has potent antimicrobial activity against most gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria but not against spores. A 0.1% aqueous solution is bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 15 sec. However, it is relatively ineffective against other gram-negative organisms, spores, fungi, and most viruses.

It does have a good tox profile, however there are many tox issues associated with it as well. Heck, even if you drink too much water it can kill you!

All in all, though, it is also a great product. I like the quats because they also kill fungus and viruses, and have been proven safe. Again, all a matter of individual preference.

 

[robin]

ray,
i want to get your thoughts on rocal d.

 

[KelliH]

I'm not Ray, but I used to use Rocal exclusively. Since my husband worked at the zoo he was always able to bring some from there. I didn't care for it because from what I was told you had to rinse the area after using it.

I've personally used Novalsan for years with excellent results.