Misting with chlorhexadine solution

[slartibartfast]

I'm having a bit of trouble convincing nixer that this is a bad idea.

He keeps wanting to know why. I've explained that any kind of disinfecant should not be inhaled and can be dangerous, and that plain water only should be used for misting, but he's not convinced.

What do you think? Would you do it?

[Argentra]

NEVER! Misting a tank with a disinfectant?? Why on earth would he be convinced that would be a good thing?

Cleaning the tank with that stuff is great. Misting is for humidity and should ONLY involve straight water!

He is on the road to giving that snake an RI or something worse if he continues spraying the cage all the time with disinfectants of any kind...

[nixer]

and i asked what will happen but all this certain basher does is say not to like i asked what could or would happen and even then perhaps someone should edit their original post will all the supposed information and just just try to start some big fight in the forum

[Argentra]

Ok, ok... keep it calm here.

If you use a disinfectant on anything while the animal is still around, it would be pretty much the same as if you added the stuff to your drinking water or to a mister you used on yourself in summer. Inhaling the fumes, no matter how diluted, can damage the windpipe and lung tissue to varying degrees. In humans, it can do anything from give you a really bad cough, sorethroat, and headache, to bad lung damage if used continuously. With a snake, that is more sensitive to airborne particles than humans are, it can give them Respiratory Infections (RI) and damage the tissues of their air passages.

That's what can happen if you mist with a disinfectant. And the more you do it, the more damage you can cause the snake and yourself (because you breath it in as well).
When misting for humidity, all you need is regular water.

[slartibartfast]

Just to clarify the level of "bashing". :-)

12-22-07 03:43 AM nixer
has anyone misted a cage with a little chlorhexidine in the mist water

12-22-07 01:24 PM slartibartfast
Do -not- mist with Chlorhex, or any disinfectant. They are not intended to be inhaled. All disinfectants should be wiped off from all surfaces before the snake is replaced.

12-22-07 01:46 PM nixer
even 2%

12-22-07 01:56 PM slartibartfast
Yes, absolutely.

12-22-07 01:58 PM slartibartfast
Chemicals should not be inhaled, seriously. That should be obvious.

12-22-07 02:16 PM nixer
and it has been tryed by whom?

12-22-07 02:54 PM slartibartfast
You know, I got the same question from a guy who wanted me to give his dog an IV injection of bleach to treat a fatal viral condition.

12-22-07 02:55 PM slartibartfast
Some things should just be common sense, really.

12-22-07 02:58 PM nixer
thats nothing even close to what i said

12-22-07 03:00 PM slartibartfast
"Because nobody's ever tried it"

12-22-07 03:01 PM slartibartfast
Chlorhexidine is a strong chemical. It's safe to use on skin, if rinsed off. It should not be applied to delicate membranes, such as the entire lining of the respiratory tract, which is what would happen if you misted your snake's enclosure with it, while the snake was present.

12-22-07 03:07 PM nixer
who said the snake would be present

12-22-07 03:10 PM slartibartfast
Misting is used to raise the humidity of the cage. Water should be used. Disinfectents are not appropriate to be used for misting.

12-22-07 03:11 PM slartibartfast
If you are cleaning the cage, spray down with chlorhex, then wipe it out again.

12-22-07 03:11 PM slartibartfast
Before the snake is put back in the cage.

12-22-07 03:21 PM nixer
why

12-22-07 03:21 PM nixer
you say no but have no reason why

12-22-07 03:21 PM nixer
i want to know what harm it will cause

12-22-07 03:28 PM slartibartfast
Because it can cause tissue damage, respiratory distress, lung failure, and death.

12-22-07 03:28 PM slartibartfast
Do you need more reasons?

12-22-07 03:31 PM slartibartfast
It's not hard to wipe out...it takes maybe an extra 30 seconds to run a paper towel over it and then a few minutes to air dry. It's not hard.

12-22-07 03:34 PM nixer
yes i want facts not because so and so said so

12-22-07 03:35 PM nixer
its funn the msds doesnt say all of that

12-22-07 03:36 PM slartibartfast
Really?

12-22-07 03:36 PM slartibartfast
What does it say about inhalation?

12-22-07 03:38 PM nixer
could be an irratant

12-22-07 03:38 PM slartibartfast
What do you think an irritant does when it covers the entire interal surface of the lungs?

12-22-07 03:39 PM slartibartfast
This is really more of a husbandry question, and should be adressed in a thread anyway. I've started one...let's move the discussion there.

12-22-07 03:41 PM nixer
actually its really not

12-22-07 03:42 PM slartibartfast
Actually, it is.

12-22-07 03:42 PM slartibartfast
"Should I mist my cage with chlorhex" is pretty much entirely a husbandry discussion.

[nixer]

Ok, ok... keep it calm here.

If you use a disinfectant on anything while the animal is still around, it would be pretty much the same as if you added the stuff to your drinking water or to a mister you used on yourself in summer. Inhaling the fumes, no matter how diluted, can damage the windpipe and lung tissue to varying degrees. In humans, it can do anything from give you a really bad cough, sorethroat, and headache, to bad lung damage if used continuously. With a snake, that is more sensitive to airborne particles than humans are, it can give them Respiratory Infections (RI) and damage the tissues of their air passages.

That's what can happen if you mist with a disinfectant. And the more you do it, the more damage you can cause the snake and yourself (because you breath it in as well).
When misting for humidity, all you need is regular water.

first off the animal is removed!
2nd there is more than one chlorhexidine mixture
3 where do you get it will cause an ri or any of that. did you try it or know someone who has.
its funny how many posts we see here no dont do this or that when alot of ppl that come here really dont even have a clue! other than someone told them not to or it wasnt a good idea baseless and thats that dont come here and tell me that i want fact not because some idiot (thread starter) says so.

[slartibartfast]

And the relevant section of the MSDS, just for good measure:

Section 8:
Exposure Controls/Personal ProtectionEngineering Controls:
Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. If user operations generate dust, fume or mist, use ventilation to keep exposure toairborne contaminants below the exposure limit.

Personal Protection:
Splash goggles. Lab coat. Dust respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent.Gloves.

Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill:
Splash goggles. Full suit. Dust respirator. Boots. Gloves. A self contained breathing apparatus should be used
to avoid inhalation of the product. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist BEFORE handling this product.

Exposure Limits:
Not available

[nixer]

And the relevant section of the MSDS, just for good measure:

thats the wrong msds you idiot like i said get the correct info thats not for the 2% solution anyway perhaps you should sit back and learn something you moron

[slartibartfast]

thats the wrong msds you idiot like i said get the correct info thats not for the 2% solution anyway perhaps you should sit back and learn something you moron

Easy now. Just because I'm not giving you answers you want is not an excuse to call names.

What exactly is the name of the solution you are using? There are a variety of chlorhexes.

[ladywhipple02]

Well, let's put it another way then... Let's put you in a plastic container, spray you down with disinfectant, and then seal the container shut. How would YOU like it? Don't think it'd be all that comfy for you, no matter how diluted the solution was...