Quarantine Tips and Foibles

I was hoping someone would write a sticky on best quarantine practices: tips and cautionary tales, etc. But alas, I guess I'll just have to ask everyone to chime in.

We all talk about quarantine, but what makes good quarantine practice? What things might we forget or not think about?

Here's a thought, and I'm not sure if it's going overboard, but here it is. Wash hands, change clothes (put dirty ones directly in the washing machine), and shower between quarantined animal(s) and the general population.

Here's one more, when taking pictures of quarantined animal(s), be careful about using the same camera again later w/out a wipe down.

I'd like to hear ideas on best sterilization methods, too. I tried the freezer for an Accurite. And branches that didn't fit in the oven I stripped the bark, then poured boiling water over them.

Please give your thoughts and advice now. :please: Thanks!

I think that pretty much the only way you can mess up as far as quarantineing (is that a word?)goes, is to NOT do it...:D I also treat ALL new animals to a tub linedwith Provent-A-Mite sprayed newspaper....you can never be too careful with mites...

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

I think that pretty much the only way you can mess up as far as quarantineing (is that a word?)goes, is to NOT do it...:D I also treat ALL new animals to a tub linedwith Provent-A-Mite sprayed newspaper....you can never be too careful with mites...

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Nice idea on the PAM.

"PAM"......I like it! Now I can go around saying I spray PAM in my snake tubs....:D

Well, since I live in a small 2 bdrm apartment, quarantine is a challenge. For any new snake coming in I treat the tub with PAM and set it up in the office (since my main group is in the bedroom) with all their own stuff: water spray bottle, substrate supply, feeding tongs...etc. There is a bottle of hand sanitizer in every section of the apartment as well.
I try to work with the established snakes first, but if I have to deal with the QT ones before the others (such as on feeding days since the QT snakes eat PK rats and the others are still on mice) I will wash thoroughly with soap then with the sanitizer, and will change shirts if I handled anyone, before going to the other room.

Currently, since I was given my newest snake while my het albinos are still in QT in the office, I have another QT tub in the living room to keep everyone separate.

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Originally Posted by Argentra

Currently, since I was given my newest snake while my het albinos are still in QT in the office, I have another QT tub in the living room to keep everyone separate.

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Yeah, that's a challenge for me, too. Quarantine 2 from the quarantine 1 from the general population.

:) Yeah it's been fun having a snake in every room but the kitchen and bathrooms. I would have just put her in the basic QT room with the other two, but a) it would have added another month to their QT, and b) those two are my most valuable snakes and I didn't want to risk putting a snake who had lived with 'Mr. Vicks' who had the slightest beginnings of an RI in the same room with them.

She seems to be doing much better now BTW. Slams her weekly rat with much gusto and only whistles when she's out and worked up sensing everything. But that could just be due to the dry wrinkled skin on her head from past bad husbandry. :)

I try and implement "universal precautions" whenever I handle any of my snakes. Even the established ones.

I do not give new snakes old tubs. Plastic is porous... every snake gets a new tub. Their names get written on in permanent sharpie.

If I am being really facidiuos... I sterilize anywhere hands go... door knobs, faucets, etc.

I also take dirty water dishes out with one hand, and put the clean ones in with the other (to avoid cross-contamination).

Just a few things to add.

Step one:

Get new Snake

Step two:

Clean and Treat it and housing for mites

Step three:
Place in seperate area of house completely not attached to the main colony of animals. Downstairs or another house is good.

Step four:

Watch closely for any odd behavior or bodily fluids

IF there is something suspicious:

Step five:

Take animal and fecal sample to vet for analysis

Step Six:

Feed/treat appropriately

IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM

Quarantine for appropriate amount of time. (which is under debate)

I forgot to point out in Step two that I treat for Mites even if there are none..

Better safe than sorry...