When is my leopard gecko vivarium safe to reuse after adenovirus?

For a new tank, hot, soapy water followed by a thorough rinsing is sufficient. Steam cleaning and a dilute bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach:1 gallon water) can be used for disinfection. There are also commercial cleaners, such as Zoo Med Wipe Out, that can be purchased online or in most pet stores.

You can clean the terrarium with a diluted vinegar mixture but you have to make sure the smell is completely gone before putting the geckos back in it. I suggest this protocol: 1. Spray glass tank with a 50-50 vinegar water solution. Wait 5 minutes. 2. Dry the tank with paper towels and then spray tank with just water. Wait 2 minutes. 3. Dry the tank and wait 30 minutes. The same goes for the items inside the terrarium. The smell of the vinegar is the problem.

As long as it was properly sanitized, it should be safe to use. The diluted bleach, chlorhex and hot water rinse should have cleaned it adequately. Unfortunately, the only definitive method would be swab the tank and culture it. That said, it is *likely* fine to use.

Hot, soapy water can be used followed by a thorough rinse. If that doesn't work, a 50/50 solution of distilled water and vinegar can be sprayed used. Allow a 10-15 minute wet contact time before rinsing thoroughly. ExoTerra, Zoo Med, Natural Chemistry and API all make "herp safe" cleaners that may be effective in removing odors.

Thanks for reaching out about Blep. Using a aquarium as a terrarium should work well. Hamsters don't have anything that could be transmitted to a gecko, just clean out well. For geckos, husbandry is paramount, providing the correct temperature zone, UVB radiation exposure, humidity and diet will provide the best results. Good luck.

Firstly remove all small branches and leaves. The safest method is putting the wood in the oven if it fits. You need to put it in at 200F and cook for 2 to 3 hours, do not leave unattended. You can soak bigger pieces for 24 hours in a cup of bleach to 1 gallon water solution in the bath. Then you must rinse thoroughly and repeat the soaking at least 5 times in clean water to remove the bleach. Then air dry the wood. Obviously the bleach has to be properly removed. Personally I would use the oven method and if not just buy ready made wood from the pet shop.

Submit a stool sample o your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls and tank furniture. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Check Gecky's other toes and tail for any stuck shed. This can compromise blood supply, resulting in lost digits. If he has a tough time shedding, soak him or mist him daily during a shed and provide a moist hide at each end of the enclosure. Monitor the foot for swelling, redness, bleeding or discharge. See your vet if necessary to treat infection. A daily soak in diluted betadine or chlorhexidine can keep the area clean. Use plain paper towels as a substrate and change them daily until he is healed.