Sterilizing Recommendations?

PsychoSnake · 02-20-15, 02:40 AM

Long story short, one of my babies died today. I am heart broken. He had been ill for months with vague symptoms. The vet couldn't find anything wrong with him (tests came back negative), but he didn't think it was a husbandry problem.

I tried to get Copper an appointment with the vet yesterday because he was looking bad. He was looking very thin, had no interest in food (when healthy he was a very predictable eater), had a history of regurgitation and odd pooping schedule, and was just generally not himself. Well he died before I could get him to the vet.

Anyway, now that his glass terrarium is empty I need to do a deep cleaning and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what to clean it with. While I am not able to confirm it, I think he had a viral infection and has probably had it since I got him. I'm throwing away his decor.

D Grade · 02-20-15, 05:27 AM

Seems alot of folks use bleach but I am not a fan of it. I use vinegar and citrus to clean anything. Just gotta rinse it well so it doesnt reak of vinegar.

dave himself · 02-20-15, 06:51 AM

Brown Listerine we've found is very good

**Aaron_S** · 02-20-15, 08:57 AM

I like the vinegar option myself.

I do know a lot of people used hand steamers a few years ago. Kind of a fad but worth looking into.

CrotalusR#1 · 02-20-15, 11:45 AM

If you use bleach on something and set it in the sun to dry it is perfectly fine.

**Tsubaki** · 02-20-15, 12:03 PM

Chlorine is no issue as long as you rinse and ventilate after using it, my herptek terrariums i usually fill the bottom with warm water and some chlorine pills. Tape all the vents and openings shut, let it stand for a day of 2 before rinsing them out with water and letting them air dry (Do not open in a badly ventilated room, there is a reason chlorine gas kills nasties). That's what i do before long term storage, so i can be sure they are immediately usable as soon as they come out of storage. You could also do that to sterilize stuff for usage, vinegar is something i use for normal cleaning not for sterilization. To each his/her own i guess.

Obsidian_Dragon · 02-20-15, 01:38 PM

Bleach is an icky, icky product...but since this involves a sick animal, it might be the safest bet.

(Vinegar works quite well, otherwise.)

SSSSnakes · 02-20-15, 02:34 PM

I use F10 SC Veterinary Disinfectant or Rubbing Alcohol.

PsychoSnake · 02-27-15, 11:23 AM

My vet finally got back to me. He recommended that under the current situation I bleach out all enclosures once a month and put everyone into quarantine. He agreed that Copper most likely died of a viral disease and had had it for a long time. He said while vinegar is an acidic cleaner it is not a reliable biologic cleaner. He also mentioned to make sure to dilute the solution and clean in a well ventilated area.