Heads up on Chlorhexadine (Novalsan) as a cage cleaner

I just got back from my herp vets office and I was unaware that there are two different types of Chlorhexadine.

One is for wound cleaning, and one is for cage cleaning as a disenfectant.

I have mistakenly been using the one for wound cleaning as a cage cleaner.


Here is what he told me (this is a very highly qualified herp vet, one of the best in the country).


Chlorhexadine Gluconate: Wound Cleaning

Chlorhexadine Diacetate: Cage Cleaning


After doing a brief search online, I couldn't find any generic brands for the Diacetate, it looks like the name brand Novalsan is the only one out there.

If anyone has an leads as to where to get it generic that would be great, please post.

I worked at a veterinary hospital where we frequently used Nolvasan, we used the same for disinfecting cages as we did for wounds, so the wound cleaner is just as useful. :)

Are there any dangers that you know of for using Chlorhexadine Gluconate as a cage disinfectant?

No theres no dangers of using it cleaning cages. People been doing it for years and nothings happened.

Id say either or will do the job.

My Vet once told me the main difference is the concentrations. He told me they use the same Chlorhexadine to disinfect equipment and clean wounds only they mix it different ratios;)

Hey, I've been sticking to 10% bleach solution, but I worry about the vapors. Is chlorhexadine actually saver, or is there no particular reason to prefer it other than smell?

It's quite a bit safer. So is F10. http://www.proexotics.com/store/prod...e=0&featured=Y

F10 and chlorhexadine are the best ive used and have no strong odor at all..

Chlorhexadine Gluconate is what I have used in the past to clean my cages,in the hospital I work at,they are used to clean skin.

Chlorhexidine diacetate is sold under the brand name Nolvasan. Chlorhexidine gluconate is the generic copy that other makers are allowed to sell.

Diacetate is nominally stronger.

Both do the same thing. They are different salt forms of the same chemical compound.