Bearded Dragons

[HadesDragons]

Originally Posted by LadyP

Why do you think that gram negative bugs are not affected by soap but gram positives are?

There's a few recent studies that have shown that G- bacteria, with their protective outer membrane, are more resistant to many conventional anti-bacterial soaps.

G+ don't have the same level of protection from their outer membrane, and so are more susceptible to a wider variety of anti-bacterial substances, including some that are found in many soaps.

Stuff like this is pretty contentious, and there are some studies which "prove" things, at the same time as other studies "disproving" them...

Having had the opportunity to test several soaps, handwashes, mouthwashes and detergents in a lab setting, I am happy enough that a disc soaked in alcohol hand gel creates a larger "dead-zone" than one soaked in conventional soap; that makes me believe that it is more effective. When combined with studies that suggest that G- are resistant to many ingredients of soap, and having seen bacterial growth right up to the edge of the disc in some soaps, at lower concentrations (such as when mixed with water...), it would seem that they are far less effective at removing populations of G- bacteria than many of the handwash gels are.

I'd be interested in any evidence you have that suggests otherwise though - as I said, there are various studies that "prove" and "disprove" things about the antibacterial properties of soap, so anything that makes it clearer would be welcomed!!

[LadyP]

Not at all luv I have never actually considered handwashing with soap to be a way of killing bugs (with or without LPS) and more just a mechanical action to remove them.

I've caused a big debate in the lab now posing this question but we're all immunologists so know bugger all about bugs anyway *grin* Something which I am hoping to change as I come from a medical microbiology background originally and think that there really makes sense for there to be a lot more crosstalk between immunologists and microbiologists.

We actually work on natural antimicrobial peptides but are more interested in their immunomodulatory behaviours.

I see what you mean about the conflicting studies (just having a look) but like you say if you test something out for yourself then you can be happy trusting that info with your own results rather than anything published (or claimed by manufacturers)

[Blueladybird]

Originally Posted by HadesDragons

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Recently, Mercury Vapour Bulbs (MVBs) have been released onto the market, offering much higher UV output than UV tubes. As yet, we have not received sufficient information about their effects on the Hypomelanistic Dragons we sell. As a result, we advise people to avoid them for Hypomelanistics, until there is more information available on their effects.

* * * *

I've been using aN MVB for Spike for the last few weeks, he is Hypomelanistic and after reading this thread i have removed it from his viv. He's been lethargic and off his food for a couple of days and doesn't want to bask, could this be due to the MVB?

[HadesDragons]

Originally Posted by Blueladybird

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I've been using aN MVB for Spike for the last few weeks, he is Hypomelanistic and after reading this thread i have removed it from his viv. He's been lethargic and off his food for a couple of days and doesn't want to bask, could this be due to the MVB?

I really don't know. No-one has tested MVBs with hypos yet, so no-one knows the effects of them. I've been in contact with one of the people from uvguide.co.uk, just floating some ideas / theories around, and we've come to the conclusion that they should be safe, but that it's as-yet untested. That's why I'm advising people to avoid them until there's more information...

[ratking]

hi wat size uv bulb should i use and wat wattage please for beardies thanks

[HadesDragons]

Originally Posted by ratking

hi wat size uv bulb should i use and wat wattage please for beardies thanks

The largest 8%-10% tube that will fit in your cage. The wattage is determined by its length...

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by HadesDragons

Hatchlings and juveniles should be fed twice daily. One of these feedings should be dusted with Calcium supplement.

I've got an adult at the moment but I only got him recently and he's already eating most veg and some crickets every couple of days.

But I'm getting a very young dragon next week (can't remember how old but no more than 2 months). I'm just checking that I understand correctly, you are saying above that they should be fed insects twice a day but only once with supplements. So the second time they get insects that day, no supplements.

Is that correct?

Cheers Andy

[HadesDragons]

Originally Posted by Harrison

I've got an adult at the moment but I only got him recently and he's already eating most veg and some crickets every couple of days.

But I'm getting a very young dragon next week (can't remember how old but no more than 2 months). I'm just checking that I understand correctly, you are saying above that they should be fed insects twice a day but only once with supplements. So the second time they get insects that day, no supplements.

Is that correct?

Cheers Andy

That's how I feed mine.

[Harrison]

That's what I wanted to know, thanks. And I think I've already commented on the care sheet, but thanks again for putting it together.

Cheers

[alnessman]

great care sheet