Hygiene in the vivarium

A variety of gram negative bacteria are implicated in causing disease in reptiles and amphibia, these include Aeromonas, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas. Combined with stress even a small number of bacteria can lead to an overwhelming infection. Identification and treatment based on sensitivity patterns are essential for successful avian medicine, but the herpetologist can have a major role to play in prevention of infection.

For this type of use the disinfectant should have certain properties:

• it must be safe and non toxic
• it should have good cleansing properties eg. ARK-KLENS

Heated vivaria containing reptiles can build up infections, so wiping or spraying down regularly is important. Its safety of use, combined with its cleansing properties make Ark-Klens an ideal disinfectant in vivaria. We recommend that as a routine vivaria are cleaned out and disinfected with Ark-Klens and that periodically when the vivarium is stripped down (weekly or monthly) it is disinfected with TAMODINE-E.

In naturalistic exhibits in zoos which may go much longer between total cleanouts we recommend routine spraying with Ark-Klens followed by at least partial wipedowns with TAMODINE-E. Special attention needs to be given to the substrate which will become soiled and will harbour disease.