Hemipene Abscesses on certain substrates?

[RideRed12]

Hey Everyone!

I've always used newspaper for all of my breeders but recently I've been getting into Aspen just for sanitary reasons. I remember Justin Kobylka talking about the possibility for Hemipene Abscess. How many of you have seen this happen or heard of this happen?

I'd also like to make a poll for what everyone uses for their breeders.

Thanks!

[Mike41793]

What sanitary reasons?

[searcyc1]

I feel that newspaper/paper towels are more sanitary than Aspen because they don't hide all the feces and urine. I never realized how much liquid urine comes out until I switched from Cyprus to paper towels.

[RobNJ]

I use newspaper to no ill effect, and I find it to be very easy to keep tubs clean...

[RideRed12]

I believe that the aspen works out a little bit better for the simple fact that it soaks up all of the liquid urine. For example it seemed every time one my my bigger breeders would urinate it would soak the whole tub. Which meant the snake would be practically basking in its own urine until I clean the tubs. I clean tubs every day but I still think the aspen is a better choice.

I'm just simply asking who uses what with their breeders and if anyone has had any issues with aspen.

[Ladybugzcrunch]

I use carpet pieces. The cheap non fuzzy kind at lowes on the roll. I also use sterilite tubs. The urine gets the carpet a little wet but most of it drains through and settles into the depressions on the bottom of the tub keeping snakey dry. When I see a steamy tub, I know there is a mess to clean. I pull out the used carpet and wipe the tub with vinegar. The soiled carpet section goes into a 5 gallon bucket (with lid) and replaced with a new piece. When the bucket gets full, into the washing machine it goes with fabric safe bleach. Cheap, easy, and clean. I tried aspen and it made a mess on the floor in front of the rack. Paper towels are okay but the snakes mush them up into the corner. Newspaper turns white or light bellies gray. Carpet is king.

[GPreptiles]

I use aspen as well and I'm happy with it. As RideRed12 said it soak all the liquid stuff, and it's much easier to spot clean. I use aspen that is completely without dust and it also gets rid of most of the bad smell.

[CD CONSTRICTORS]

Aspen and spot cleaning here.

I tried newspaper and it seemed anyone who urinated soaked the entire tub, making a small spot clean on aspen turn into a complete tub clean with newspaper.

A well known breeder here did tell me once he had an expensive breeder male get some substrate on his hemipenes. Said he was worth the money and it cost him $1500 for the surgery. He still uses substrate.

[MisterKyte]

Haven't got around to making a decision yet but then again, I'm not going to start pairings until maybe March so eh, not at the forefront of my mind. I currently keep all my snakes on aspen since I've had problems with snakes spreading feces all over their tubs, and incidentally themselves as well, in the past so I don't find it to be very sanitary personally... abscesses on hemipenes are a big deal though.
So, still don't really know which way I'll be going but I'm digging Ladybugzcrunch's carpet substrate so maybe that will be the one.