Overview

Discover effective techniques for quarantining new and sick animals in this section. Learn the essential steps to ensure that your new pet or animal collection remains safe and protected from parasites and diseases.

My Current steps to quarentining new animals

When I bring home a new animal, my first step is always a thorough visual inspection. I prefer to do this at home rather than at the point of collection, as I trust the ethics of the seller. However, this examination is conducted purely for the animal's welfare, not due to a lack of trust. Depending on the species, I may measure the animal’s weight or simply assess its overall health visually to ensure it appears within normal, healthy parameters.

After this initial inspection, I place the animal in its designated enclosure. If I suspect any risk of disease or parasites during my assessment, I take additional precautions. In such cases, I may opt to use temporary substrate, such as paper towels or tissues, instead of the usual substrate. This allows me to monitor the animal’s behavior, inspect its feces, and evaluate any potential parasitic load. For many lizards, for example, I specifically check for mites. If I detect any signs of parasites or other health concerns, I promptly arrange a visit to a qualified exotic veterinarian for further evaluation.

Once I’m confident the animal is healthy and fit, I transition it to more naturalistic conditions by using appropriate substrates and creating an environment that mimics its natural habitat. At this stage, I shift from observation-based care to a more standard care routine.

My Personal Quarantine Experience

I strongly recommend developing your own quarantine process when bringing home a new animal. You never know what might arise. For instance, I once suspected my blue-tongued skink (BTS) had mites, which prompted me to initiate a full quarantine protocol to protect its health and well-being.

Initially, I removed all substrates from the enclosure after spotting what I believed were mites (they turned out to be the harmless ones, but I wasn’t aware of this at the time). I bagged all the substrate in black plastic bags and disposed of it. I was less knowledgeable at the time, so I did some research to determine the temperature at which mites could not survive. I learned that temperatures below 10°C can kill mites in a few days. Since it was mid-February, with outdoor temperatures ranging from -2°C to 10°C, I placed all the enclosure decor outside for several weeks in sealed bags to ensure any mites were eradicated. Once the decor had been outdoors for an adequate period, I thoroughly washed it before reintroducing it to the enclosure.

On the same day I removed the substrate, I completely cleaned the enclosure. I also used the opportunity to reseal some of the silicone seams. I sanitized the enclosure with antibacterial products and other cleaning solutions. While this process was underway, the BTS was temporarily housed in a plastic tub with a heat mat. After the cleaning was complete, I lined the enclosure with paper towels and monitored the BTS closely for about a month before reintroducing a normal substrate. Since implementing this protocol, I have not seen any mites return.