What's the worst that could happen?
As I was rinsing out a tub that I just disinfected with bleach (over and over and over) it occurred to me that I don't know exactly WHY I was doing it. Yes, I know it's bad to have any bleach residue, but I don't know the actual consequences. Will it poison the snake? Irritate it's skin? Cause the apocalypse?
So I thought a thread that outlined common husbandry mistakes along with the Worst Possible Scenario consequences might be helpful to me and other new BP keepers. I'm thinking of things like adhesives, overheating, feeding issues, low humidity, etc.
Can the more experienced members post along the lines of "If you don't do X then X could happen"? Pics would be helpful as well.
Thanks!
What's the worst that could happen?
I dont think i've ever heard of a keeper's animal getting hurt/killed from improper use of bleach. It's not exactly that easy for bleach residue to soak in through their scales. I'd be more concerned about the fumes, personally.
Re: What's the worst that could happen?
and why never to put tape anywhere around your setup :P ill post links later
What's the worst that could happen?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tannerrrtx
and why never to put tape anywhere around your setup :P ill post links later
Tape is fine on the outside. You just gotta be careful and pay attention. :gj:
Re: What's the worst that could happen?
why use bleach anyway?
that would be my question, why is everyone using bleach? Bleach here, bleach there, i dont get it.
Yeah, its a powerful disinfectant with the ability to kill all known lifeforms. But it also attacks plastics, and when a plastic surface is chemically attacked or corroded, toxins can get out of the plastic no matter how long you wash it afterwards.
i recommend the method of disinfection we use for the plates and forks and spoons and knives we use, and even for baby bottles. Hot water with some dishwashing liquid followed by cold clean water. If its good enough to disinfect milk bottles for our own babies, why shouldnt that be enough for our snakes? The heat does the disinfection, and a bit of dishwasher unlike bleach cannot hurt my snake and also cannot eat my hand off.
Also, no bacteria or virus can survive for long on a clean and dry and smooth surface. So you can just take your tubs and water bowls outside, blast them clean with cold water at high pressure, let the stuff dry, let it rest for a few days, and for all practical purposes its clean. not sterile because new bacteria arrive being carried through the air, but clean enough to rule out any transmission from one snake to another. So why even use bleach? Why not get the stuff used for antibacterial and antiviral disinfection on human hands? or medicinal alcohol, which quickly evaporates? or a hydrogen peroxide solution, which also quickly evaporates?
People try so hard to keep their snakes absolutely sterile, reaching for the most agressive cleaning products, and then feed them living or dead rhodents. Uncooked. Not deep-fried, sometimes deep-frozen. Containing some poop, among other things. Anyone else see a contradiction here?