Suitable cleaning spray with anti-fungal properties?

[racinghamster]

I wasn't sure whether to post this under Health or Housing, but chose Health as it relates to the health of hamsters too!

I was reading an article about Aspergillis Fungus and how it can suddenly appear where a hamster goes to the toilet to urinate. Possibly, a particular corner of the cage.

They say it appears to go white in colour and can eventually turn black. Now I clean my hamsters wet corners on a daily basis for obvious reasons, but I have witnesses hamster cages with corners that have 'white' patches, which I presumed was caused by something in the urine that was allowed to build up.

I learned that using a spray that contains an anti-fungicide to prevent this fungus from taking hold is useful. I have two shop bought sprays, Beaphar Bea Clean and also Cascade Disinfectant. It doesn't state on any of them whether they contain an anti-fungicide.

Does anyone know which sprays are the best to use and are easily scourced? I know a chlorine bleech solution diluted in water is sometimes used, but don't know if this is effective against certain germs or bacteria?

[souffle]

The white scale you sometimes get in the toilet corners is usually a build up of crystals from the hamsters urine which is very concentrated. If you keep your corners clean and dry I doubt aspergillus would be a problem although it could crop up in poorly ventilated sleeping areas where the bedding becomes damp. We use an old chisel to scrape any urine scale from the potties and cage floor and all our beds are either open or have lots of ventilation holes. Aspergillus is around in the environment and tends to affect people and animals either old or young or the ill, whose immune systems are not as efficient as they might be. Vircon is supposed to be a good all round killer of all things bad! It usually comes in large packs but they sell it at Northern shows in small envelopes for 20p which you dilute in a sprayer of water and use to clean. That is what they use as a judging tray wipe at shows. I could get you some and post it if you want!

[racinghamster]

Thanks for your reply souffle! I`ve heard of Virkon but can`t get hold of it. At 20p a go, that sounds great! Especially if you just add it to water and use!

My cleaning regime is pretty good and I`m not sure I really need Virkon. If I could buy it locally, then I might give it a go, but it`s frustrating when you get the chance to try it and then when it runs out, you find you have to go back to the spray you were using before!

[Minicooper]

yes my hamsters cage used to have white corners and I put vinegar on them and it goes away very quick.

[racinghamster]

Good idea minicooper! Lemon juice is acidic as well and should clear it away. The main thing is, not letting it build up!

[babyboos]

I use vinegar or cheap limescale remove being careful to only allow it to touch the white patches as it can dull the plastic over time, and if left on for too long. Like vinegar it breaks up the limescale quite quickly especially when agitated with an old toothbrush. Either need to be rinsed very thoroughly.

[AndreaS]

Our vet sells sachets of Vircon, so I wonder if your vet could (or maybe already does)?
Andrea

[AndreaS]

Just found it online here
http://www.rspcareadingguineapigs.co.uk ... oducts.htm

and the money goes to the RSPCA at Reading
Andrea

[racinghamster]

Thanks for that link Andrea! I only just got back to this post! That`s twice you have answered posts of mine and twice I`ve delayed responding, so I do appologise!

Virkon sounds great, does`nt it? I noticed they also sell Avipro Plus pro-biotic! It`s about the same price from my own vet however, so if I need any, I just ask my vet to order it in for me. That`s where I got my first tub of Avipro. I`m sure he could get me a few saches of Virkon too!

Thanks everyone. x

[AndreaS]

That's quite alright I didn't think you were ignoring me, honestly
Andrea
x