Strategies to Clean for Coccidia and Achieve Real Results

Clean for coccidia in bearded dragons for best results. To reduce coccidial infection in bearded dragons, a strict cleaning regimen is essential. During the treatment period, it’s crucial to maintain a thorough cleaning for coccidia routine for at least 6 weeks. Achieving the quickest results requires a daily, rigorous, and meticulous approach to cleaning for coccidia.

Clean for Coccidia: Essential Control for Parasites

The primary goal of cleaning for coccidia is to eliminate the oocysts present in your bearded dragon’s environment before they can be ingested. Reducing the number of oocysts decreases the burden on your bearded dragon’s immune system. A single oocyst can turn into thousands quickly so there is no room for complacency.

The oocysts have a hard wall around them, protecting them and making them quite hard to kill. These strong walls protect the oocysts from harsh environmental conditions prolonging their survival under non-favorable environmental conditions.

Oocysts survive many chemicals and even freezing, but they do not cope with desiccation and high temperatures. The cleaning for coccidia methods are designed to penetrate this protective layer to effectively combat the parasite.

Preparing to Clean for Coccidia

1. Prepare multiple housing options.
   • The cleaning for coccidia process is intensive, so if possible, maintain a second enclosure for your bearded dragon. This allows you to switch your bearded dragon to a clean cage while thoroughly cleaning for coccidia in the previously occupied one.
2. Remove or replace cage furnishings and accessories.
   • Minimize the number of furnishings to simplify cleaning for coccidia and increase success rates. Remove any accessories that are porous or have cracks, as these are difficult to clean thoroughly and could harbor oocysts. Clean any removed items before storing them, as oocysts can survive in favorable conditions for years.
   • Replace any accessories with disposable alternatives, such as using a cardboard box instead of a permanent burrow. If possible, have multiple replacements on hand for rotation during the cleaning for coccidia period.
   • Heat-treat accessories when possible. Fabrics, for instance, may tolerate soaking in boiling water.
   • Ensure your bearded dragon has a place to hide to reduce stress, which can exacerbate coccidial infections. Torn newspaper can serve as a temporary hiding spot.
   • Maintain proper lighting and heating, especially if basking accessories like rocks or branches have been removed. Ensure your bearded dragon can still bask as needed.
   • Use bowls made from materials that can withstand high-temperature cleaning for coccidia.
3. Replace loose substrates and disinfect solid surfaces
   • Opt for solid substrates like tile or linoleum that are easier to clean. Remove reptile carpets, sand, or other substrates that cannot be easily cleaned and disinfected. This is a critical part of cleaning for coccidia.
   • If daily cleaning for coccidia is not possible, use paper towels or newspaper on the floor, replacing it daily. Although not as effective, it helps reduce the spread of oocysts more than doing nothing.

Best Methods to Clean for Coccidia

Coccidia is notoriously difficult to kill because of the oocysts’ tough outer wall. However, there are effective methods to clean for coccidia and reduce the presence of oocysts:

1. Heat: Steam Cleaning, Boiling Water, and Dry Heat
   • Heat is the most effective and eco-friendly method for cleaning for coccidia. Steam cleaning your bearded dragon’s enclosure and accessories is an excellent option for controlling infection and for regular cleaning.
   • Move the steam wand slowly and methodically across the enclosure walls, working from top to bottom. Ensure the wand is close to the walls to achieve the maximum temperature needed for cleaning for coccidia.
   • Small accessories can be immersed in boiling water. Leave them in the water until it cools.
   • The oven can also be used for heat-tolerant accessories. The dry heat of the oven is detrimental to oocysts, making it another valuable tool in cleaning for coccidia. However, ensure that the items are safe for oven use and won’t cause a hazard.
   • Coccidia oocysts can be killed at temperatures above 40°C (104°F) or below -30°C (-22°F) (Constable, n.d.).
     Boiling temperatures (100°C or 212°F) achieved through steam or boiling water are most effective at killing coccidia.
     To attain that temperature with steam cleaners, the wand will need to be almost in direct contact with the wall. You can test the temperature of the steam by waving the wand over a cooking thermometer.
     Cranfield et al, (as cited in Pasmans et al, 2008) found that Cryptosporidia oocysts will become inactive when exposed to temperatures 45-60°C for 5-9 minutes. Some species will tolerate heat better than others and the duration the heat must be applied for is also variable. So to cover your bases it is better to work with boiling temperature from steam or boiling water.
2. Cleaning Products to kill Coccidia
   • Ammonium hydroxide is one of the few cleaning products that can penetrate the oocyst wall. Use a 10% solution of ammonium hydroxide and leave it on surfaces for at least 45 minutes.
   • Bleach is ineffective against coccidia and should not be used (Divers & Mader, 2005).
   • After treating with ammonium hydroxide, finish by disinfecting with a broad-spectrum disinfectant like F10, which, while not effective against oocysts, is useful for killing bacteria and other pathogens.
3. UV Light: Sunlight
   • While direct sunlight has been shown to kill some strains of coccidia, there is no conclusive evidence regarding its effectiveness against Isospora amphiboluri.
   • Using sunlight as part of your cleaning for coccidia strategy is a good supplementary measure. Drying accessories in direct sunlight can help reduce the number of viable oocysts.
   • Be sure to expose all surfaces to sunlight without obstruction, and remember that items with crevices may not be effectively treated by sunlight alone.

Effective Cleaning for Coccidia Using Ammonia

When using ammonia to kill coccidia, exercise caution. Ammonia is alkaline, toxic and corrosive. Adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure adequate ventilation during its use, as it is a crucial component in the coccidia cleaning process.

Ammonia is in many household cleaning products. Ammonia is irritating and if inhaled can cause burning of the throat and respiratory tract. It can also irritate the skin, eye and at extremes it can cause burns.

Ammonium hydroxide is ammonia with water already added and comes in various concentrations. You may be familiar with cloudy ammonia, which contains soap. However, for cleaning coccidia, you need ammonium hydroxide, not cloudy ammonia.

A study back in 1940 by Horton-Smith et al on ammonia concentrations for poultry farming showed that varying concentrations of ammonia and water killed coccidia oocysts over different durations. A 1% ammonia solution killed 100% of oocysts but it took 24 hours whereas a 10% solution only required 45 minutes. Although that was on the Eimeria strain, the strength of ammonia hydroxide solution is echoed by vets treating Isospora strain in reptiles anywhere between 5% (Divers & Mader, 2005) to 10%.

Ammonia hydroxide is an effective cleaning product against oocysts but not effective against most bacteria. To finish off the clean, after treating the coccidia and before you return everything to its place, use a disinfectant such as F10 and dry the surfaces.

Killing Coccidia using Sunlight

Can sunlight kill coccidia oocysts? There are a number of studies showing various strains of coccidia will perish in direct sunlight but no studies have verified that for Isospora amphiboluri.

Over a century ago, sunlight was recognized as an effective method for controlling certain strains of coccidia, alongside the use of hot water and steam (Wilson, 1930). The University of New Mexico Biology Department also highlighted the effectiveness of sunlight in killing Eimeria oocysts (Department of Biology at University of New Mexico, n.d.). Additionally, Long (1982) observed that Isospora oocysts, particularly unsporulated ones, are easily damaged when dried out and exposed to direct sunlight.

To clean for coccidia use direct sunlight in the cleaning program. Drying accessories in the sun is a good and viable option. Use it as an additional strategy to control coccidia rather than an alternative on its own.

Any accessories with crevices or surfaces that provide cover for oocysts will not be effectively treated by sunlight. Ensure nothing is in between the surfaces that oocysts may have resided on and the sun. No shade, no glass or other objects that may impede the transmission of UV.

There is plenty of evidence that providing your bearded dragon with that direct sunlight will do wonders for its immune system, so ensure it gets warm and sunny outdoor time in an appropriate enclosure or setting.

5 Steps to Clean for Coccidia in your Bearded Dragon’s House

Cleaning for coccidia is a rigorous process that requires dedication. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it:

1. Remove and Dispose of Organic Matter
   • Clean up stools immediately, or at least twice daily, to remove potentially infectious oocysts.
   • Dispose of any uneaten food, including feeders and vegetation, to prevent contamination. This is a fundamental part of cleaning for coccidia.
2. Clean and Dry Accessories
   • Clean food and water dishes by immersing them in boiling water, then dry them in the sun if possible.
   • Remove, clean, or dispose of any other accessories using ammonia solution, steam, or other heat methods. Dry them thoroughly before returning them to the enclosure. Proper cleaning for coccidia ensures that your bearded dragon’s environment remains as safe as possible.
3. Scrub and Disinfect Everything
   • Scrub the enclosure to remove any remaining organic matter, which can hinder disinfection.
   • Clean the entire enclosure using ammonia hydroxide or steam. If using ammonia, follow up with a broad-spectrum disinfectant like F10 to cover other parasites and pathogens.
   • Dry the enclosure thoroughly after each cleaning step.
4. Replace or Restore Accessories
   • Return the cleaned or new accessories to the enclosure, ensuring your bearded dragon has access to hiding spots and basking areas. This step is crucial to maintaining a clean environment after cleaning for coccidia.
5. Clean Your Cleaning Equipment
   • Clean the equipment used for cleaning for coccidia the same way you cleaned the enclosure and accessories, using boiling water, ammonia, or steam as appropriate. This prevents re-contamination.

References

• Constable, P. D. (n.d.). Overview of Coccidiosis. Retrieved from MSD and the MSD Veterinary Manual: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive-system/coccidiosis/overview-of-coccidiosis
• Department of Biology at University of New Mexico. (n.d.). Biology of the Eimeriidae. Retrieved from UNM Department of Biology
• Divers, S. J., & Mader, D. R. (2005). Reptile Medicine and Surgery – E-Book. 2nd Ed. Elsevier Health Science.
• Horton-Smith, C., Taylor, E. L., & Turtle, E. E. (1940). Ammonia Fumigation for Coccidial Disinfection. Veterinary Record, 52, 829-832.
• Long, P. L. (1982). The Biology of the Coccidia. Baltimore, MD: University Park Press.
• Pasmans, F., Blahak, S., Martel, A., & Pantchev, N. (2008). Introducing reptiles into a captive collection: The role of the veterinarian. The Veterinary Journal, 175, 53-68.
• PubChem. (2023). Ammonium hydroxide. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; National Library of Medicine.
• Wilson, I. D. (1930). A study of bovine coccidiosis. Thesis for degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Iowa: Iowa State University Digital Repository.