Crypto.....

[MSMD]

OK, this is something that's always scared the daylights out of me. I have always strictly quarantined new animals and cleaned/disinfected everything regularly and between animals. I do have a few questions, though, that I have been thinking about since this is suspected as popping up in some collections.

I have read Marcia's sticky on the subject, which is wonderful and informative. There are just a couple of things that I didn't get answered with that.

1. I have been using a bleach solution for cleaning/disinfecting. I recently purchased some Chlorhexadine. Is this also effective, or as effective??

2. I have only been allowed to 'take over' one room in the house for gecko use. I'm pretty sure it's not airborn. However, just want to make sure that my quaratined new arrivals have no chance of infecting the rest of my collection as long as I keep strict sanitizing/disinfection/handwashing practices??

3. In Marcia's sticky, I did notice that heat is also effective. I have occassionally used the dishwasher for cleaning dishes/hides, etc. (although not with new arrival items, just in case) when I have a lot of them (I run a dishwasher cleaner through the dishwasher afterwards ). Is this effective?? I know first-hand that this is enough sterilization at some vet hospitals and pet hotels. I would imagine so, but am not brave enough to try without confirmation by some of you seasoned reptile people.

Thanks for any thoughts!

eta: also, if anyone can think of anything else that might be contagious that any of these practices would not be effective in erradicating, please let me know!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Mari, thank you for your post. Yes, Crypto is like the "bubonic plague" for reptile keepers, and is strikes terror in our minds and in our hearts!

First of all, we must always remember that crypto is NOT an airborne pathogen. It is spread via oral/fecal contact, and not by casual contact. To the best of my understanding and knowlege, crypto is not disinfected by Chlorhexadine. Our drinking water used to be treated with Chlorine-based chemicals, and they were found to be ineffective in erradicating cryptosporidium. This is why most public water is now treated with Chloramines (a 'safe' combination of chlorine and ammonium).

Crypto can be destroyed by boiling water, but unless your dishwasher's hot water cycle can reach sustained temperatures of greater than 150 degrees F, then it is not actually 'disinfecting'. The sure thing would be straight household ammonia (right out of the bottle without dilution).... and lots of ventilation and rinsing!

If you suspect a newly acquired reptile may be infected with crypto, I would suggest using vinyl gloves when handling anything that comes in contact with their feces or water bowl. Casual handling of the animal will not spread the parasite.

 

[MSMD]

Thank you, Marcia. You have been truly informative! :yes:

Fortunately, I haven't dealt with any new arrivals that have displayed any indication of sickness (I greatly thank the fabulous breeders that I have acquired my babies from! ), but you can never to too careful! As they say, 'luck favors the prepared!'

I think I will stick to using my bleach solution, then, or maybe switch to ammonia. I will keep the Chlorhexadine around for what it was originally intended for....the dogs are known to get minor cuts and scrapes. I am also going to check out the dishwasher thing, though. Just out of curiousity, mostly, but I know that our thermostat for our hot water heater is set fairly high. On top of that, our dishwasher has a 'high temp wash' setting, which additionally heats the water. I'm curious if it reaches those temps for any period of time.......

Just out of curiousity, Marcia, would you mind sharing with us what you use for disinfection??

Thank you!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Mari, I used chlorhexadine for the general wiping out of tubs for routine cleaning, and laboratory-grade Quaternary Ammonium Compound for disinfecting tubs, hides, and bowls after it is vacated or if the bowls get too dirty and need replaced.

 

[MonteQ's]

Interesting thread!

Not to hijack, but Marcia would you mind sharing your procedure for using the "Quat...". This was casualy recommended to me as a cleaning agent by a vet a while ago. I've always been a bit nervous when it comes to some of these chemicals.

I've been using a diluted bleach solution myself, but have been looking for other possibilities.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

First, I scrub all the hides, caves, and bowls with antibacterial dish soap, and rinse. Then I soak them in a concentration of 0.5 oz. quats to 2 gal. hot water for a minimum of 30 minutes (you need good ventilation with this, and wear rubber gloves!). Then I rinse everything thoroughly, and rinse again.... then allow them to air dry. If I don't have that many to disinfect, I rinse them and then run them through the dishwasher rinse cycle 2X and let them heat dry.

(BYW, quaternary ammonium compound even kills the HIV virus!)

 

[MSMD]

Thanks so much!! This really helps me! Marcia, you're the best! :yes: You know, I had a bit of experience with Quat when I worked at ********. For some stupid reason, I guess it didn't cross my mind. lol Just wondering, where do you buy it from?? Is it only available in the big, commercial packaging that we used to get at the store??

Thanks again!

 

[Haligren]

I clean my hides and such like how we do at work; rinse thoroughly in warm (read; HOT) water, then soak in hot water with a capful or two of bleach. Then rinse thoroughly again in warm water, and then let soak in hot water with a bit of Aqua Plus to get rid of any left over chlorine/ammonia remnants. Seems to have worked out well so far.

 

[MonteQ's]

Thanks Marcia!

Interesting little tid bit at the end there too!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I used to be a Chemical Engineer, and get my stuff from a lab supply. I think you may be able to find it at some beauty supply places? Just do a Google search for quaternary Ammonium Compound and see if you can get it. It is usually VERY concentrated, and should last a long time.