There are different types of Chlorhexidines available - diacetate (2%), gluconate (2%), digluconate (20%), etc. Each needs to be mixed specifically according to directions. Different dilutions have different contact times & effectiveness against various pathogens, so it's important to know what you're using & for how long, etc.
To my knowledge, chlorhexidine's effectiveness is reduced after prolonged exposure to organic matter - i.e. using a sink full of water mixed with clorhex, and soaking funky water bowls in it isn't going to be the most effective way to use this disinfectant, but spraying/let set/rinsing water bowls would be a better application. I've heard this from several sources that I trust (vets, experienced zookeepers, etc), and if I'm not mistaken it also got a mention in VPI's ball python book as well. Different water qualities (hard water vs. distilled vs. regular bottled) may be known to reduce the effectiveness also which is why I go by the "better safe than sorry" of mixing only what I'll need for that day/time, and going from there.
Not to say that the various Chlorhex's aren't good products - they can be very effective when used according to directions. It's just all the conflicting information about them that makes me nervous sometimes, but I'm a worrier by nature & would again, rather fall back on "better safe than sorry." I could easily go through a day's worth of mixed Chlorhex if I was using it for all my disinfecting, so that wouldn't be a problem...there are just other products I prefer to use instead. I personally use Nolvasan-S for wound irrigation (both human and animal), and either Trifectant or Virkon for all my other disinfecting applications.
The most important thing - regardless of what disinfectant you use - is to thoroughly research its effectiveness, necessary contact times, etc, and then make the best educated decision you can in terms of use for your collection. (which is why you're on B-P.net in the first place!
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Just my $.02...hope it helps!
K~
Originally Posted by KLG
There are different types of Chlorhexidines available - diacetate (2%), gluconate (2%), digluconate (20%), etc. Each needs to be mixed specifically according to directions. Different dilutions have different contact times & effectiveness against various pathogens, so it's important to know what you're using & for how long, etc.
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