I just found out that bleach pretty much won't touch coccidia I thought bleach killed pretty much EVERYTHING!
Which is MORE effective at killing coccidia then: steam from a handheld steamer, or ammonia?
If I'm going to do another "biohazard level 4" sterilization of Stan's cage again tonight, then I want to do it right this time!!! :lol: *installs tiny airlock and puts Stan in a little biosafety suit*
If you have both available then use both for your best bet. Otherwise I think steam is the go-to for killing the most stubborn of parasites & viruses. You just have to make sure your steamer is getting hot enough... if you can comfortably stick your hand directly in the steam then it's not hot enough. I personally use this stuff >>> http://www.beardeddragons.co/beardeddragon/index.php?route=product/product&path=73&product_id=249 for every day spot cleaning and I use a steamer on everything once a month or so.
Steam is pretty effective but try to use a large nozzle as the higher velocity steam of the fine nozzles tend to cool very quickly on contact with air. The brush attatchments are great.
When my previous beardie had coccidia i steam cleaned then licked over tiles and feeding dishes with a blow torch. Dont think theres a living organism on this planet that can withstand 3000F.
If you have both available then use both for your best bet. Otherwise I think steam is the go-to for killing the most stubborn of parasites & viruses. You just have to make sure your steamer is getting hot enough... if you can comfortably stick your hand directly in the steam then it's not hot enough. I personally use this stuff >>> http://www.beardeddragons.co/beardeddragon/index.php?route=product/product&path=73&product_id=249 for every day spot cleaning and I use a steamer on everything once a month or so.
Incase anyone misinterpets your post id like to clarify - Never ever put your hand directly in front of a steam cleaner! Most cleaners have a nozzle temperature of over 250F and it will cause serious burns.
That aside, if you want to check the temperatue use a probe. Coccidia oocysts are destroyed at temperatures over 165F+ so thats your target.
If you have both available then use both for your best bet. Otherwise I think steam is the go-to for killing the most stubborn of parasites & viruses. You just have to make sure your steamer is getting hot enough... if you can comfortably stick your hand directly in the steam then it's not hot enough. I personally use this stuff >>> http://www.beardeddragons.co/beardeddragon/index.php?route=product/product&path=73&product_id=249 for every day spot cleaning and I use a steamer on everything once a month or so.
Incase anyone misinterpets your post id like to clarify - Never ever put your hand directly in front of a steam cleaner! Most cleaners have a nozzle temperature of over 250F and it will cause serious burns.
That aside, if you want to check the temperatue use a probe. Coccidia oocysts are destroyed at temperatures over 165F+ so thats your target.
Eeep - yeah thanks for that side note! I suppose I just assumed people would start from far away from the steam and slowly get closer until they could tell it's hot enough (which is what I do to make sure mine's still working), but I shouldn't assume that other people will have the same common sense as my own lol... certainly don't want anyone getting hurt!
I once worked with a guy who put his hand over the nozzle of an industrial steam cleaner to "see if it was hot", worst burn I've ever seen.
Would never have believed anyone would have been daft enough but unfortunately thats not the case. Lol
I bought a Shark Steamer, but not sure, there are other brands out there. I think the biggest thing would be to make sure it is getting it hot enough and the steam direct enough. We did the first cleaning with Ammonia and realized that lugging tanks up to the bathroom every time they took a poo and the fumes were not worth it. I am SO thankful for my steamer! YEAH!
Hope your little one is doing okay. I also recommend getting the Acidopholiz (a probiotic) that has helped my little guys appetite through the medication and they actually like it.