For the past several years we have been using a variety of the F10 products in our clinic. The BEAH is a private, special interest clinic based on the premises of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital.

The case load of the BEAH consists entirely of birds and exotic animals including reptiles. Both first opinion and referral cases are seen.

We use the F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant (F10SC) and F10SCXD Veterinary Disinfectant/Cleanser (F10SCXD) products for general biosecurity in the clinic. F10SC is used at a 1:250 concentration to clean all cages, bowls and cage equipment. We have found this product to be safe and non-irritant when used in reptile enclosures. Although we have not undertaken any formal testing ourselves we are kept informed of the ongoing testing regimen carried out by Health and Hygiene and we are aware that the OVAH where F10 products are used throughout carry out regular microbiological surveys. Since using F10 products we have not had a cross infection incident in our reptile unit. F10SC is also used regularly in a commercial fogger to minimise airborne contamination and to penetrate small areas hard to hand clean. All hospital rooms are fogged weekly while 1:250 F10SCXD is used on our floors daily.

A daily cleaning and fogging protocol as recommended by the Health and Hygeine personnel was used in a closed collection of indigenous reptiles where there had been a reovirus outbreak. The diagnosis was made on Post Mortem including Electron Microscopy.

Very little was known about this specific virus except that it affected vipers and colubrids severely while boids housed in the same facility never showed any signs of illness. The clinical signs varied from acute pneumonia, lung haemorrhage and death to dysecdysis, regurgitation, weightloss and increased levels of aggression.

The recommended routine included washing of all cage furniture in 1:250 F10SC initially and weekly thereafter. Cage furniture was labelled and used strictly in its own cage (ie no bowls/hides were moved from one cage to another).

All handling equipment including hook and grab sticks were wiped down and dipped into a 1:250 F10SC solution and allowed to air dry.

This cleaning protocol was followed each time the equipment was used. The handling equipment was manufactured from anodised aluminium and no staining of the metal was noted. Daily room fogging for 10-15 minutes with 1:250 F10SC in a commercial fogger unit was performed for 6 weeks. No reptiles showed discomfort or respiratory distress during the fogging.

No new infections were noted after the strict hygiene protocol was begun although several individuals continued to demonstrate dysecdysis and increased levels of aggression.

Bacterial pneumonia is an extremely common condition of tropical snakes such as Burmese Pythons. Most cases are precipitated by incorrect husbandry including inadequate warmth and humidity. Commonly isolated bacteria include Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas spp.

Nebulisation is a valuable adjunctive therapy in these cases and F10SC at a 1:250 concentration is used along with antibiotics and mucolytics for twice daily treatment. Each nebulisation session lasts for 10-15 minutes.

Scale rot or “Blister disease” is an exudative dermatitis of the ventral body scales associated with septicaemia and/or filthy, damp caging. We use topically 1:500 F10SC as a 30min soak before dressing replacement in these cases. No adverse effects have been seen even when therapy was extended to twice weekly soaks for 5-6 weeks. Severe cases are treated with systemic antibiotics.

Daily soaks for up to two weeks have been used in patients with large, superficial lesions.