Consensus on this issue documentation structure?

[xAnthemia]

Hello all, bit of a unique post.

I'm currently working on a document which is intended to document the issues and solutions of ball python husbandry. At the moment I have one trial issue, which relates to usage of Benzalkonium chloride. The example is shown in the image below.




My question is asking for thoughts on the structure of this documentation. Is there any documentation categories that could be added other than the five currently provided (issue, symptoms, causes, solutions, sources)? Is there anything else other ball python owners would want to know concerning issues? Asking so I don't suddenly realize something I've missed and have to change hundreds of issues months into the future!

Posted to advanced husbandry — I couldn't really decide whether this an advanced topic or general topic; issues would be documented from both, and other sources in general so...

edit: just realised I didn't add the treatment to the solutions; i'll add it in a revision

[Bogertophis]

Looks like a good project.

[Malum Argenteum]

I myself really like to know 'mechanisms of effect', but that might not be a box that the various husbandry issues fill well.

Not your question, but: in the thread you use as a supporting citation there was not sufficient evidence to establish that the chemical caused the issue. It was one anecdotal instance of post hoc correlation. Further, the OP said the snake seemed to be rubbing the area, which would also cause redness, especially if rubbed enough to cause scale damage which the OP noted. The OP also noted that after using the disinfectant the surfaces were both wiped clean and rinsed with water, so it isn't even clear whether the chemical was even present (except to appeal to the symptoms, but that's fallacious reasoning).

Note also that some indispensable disinfectants (ammonia and H2O2 are the only practical disinfectants that have been shown to inactivate cryptosporidium spores, for example) have serious health risks, so recommending a halt to usage of any disinfectants with such hazards wouldn't be beneficial.

Benzalkonium chloride is actually used in a bath for reptiles and amphibians:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...1111/avj.12341
https://academic.oup.com/mmy/article...9/4/215/943369

None of this is to say that a different disinfectant wouldn't be better (benzalkonium chloride actually has shortcomings in efficacy, which is reason enough to use something else), but only to say that as a source for a factual claim that thread falls quite short.

[xAnthemia]

I myself really like to know 'mechanisms of effect', but that might not be a box that the various husbandry issues fill well.

Not your question, but: in the thread you use as a supporting citation there was not sufficient evidence to establish that the chemical caused the issue. It was one anecdotal instance of post hoc correlation. Further, the OP said the snake seemed to be rubbing the area, which would also cause redness, especially if rubbed enough to cause scale damage which the OP noted. The OP also noted that after using the disinfectant the surfaces were both wiped clean and rinsed with water, so it isn't even clear whether the chemical was even present (except to appeal to the symptoms, but that's fallacious reasoning).

Note also that some indispensable disinfectants (ammonia and H2O2 are the only practical disinfectants that have been shown to inactivate cryptosporidium spores, for example) have serious health risks, so recommending a halt to usage of any disinfectants with such hazards wouldn't be beneficial.

Benzalkonium chloride is actually used in a bath for reptiles and amphibians:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...1111/avj.12341
https://academic.oup.com/mmy/article...9/4/215/943369

None of this is to say that a different disinfectant wouldn't be better (benzalkonium chloride actually has shortcomings in efficacy, which is reason enough to use something else), but only to say that as a source for a factual claim that thread falls quite short.

Thanks for the revisional information — do you want to be listed as a collaborator?

[Malum Argenteum]

Thanks for the revisional information — do you want to be listed as a collaborator?

Eh, up to you. I won't feel slighted if not, but I appreciate that you value the comments either way.

[Jamiekerk]

Reminds me of a COSHH sheet in uk, if you want some ideas have a look at examples of those.


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