How to Kill Fungus on My Reptile

When compared to some other health disorders, fungus is not too common in reptiles but it can happen. Fungus on a reptile may be due to both environmental and internal factors. The most common fungus that strikes reptiles is called Yellow Fungus; a type of fungi that is somewhat complicated to treat and has known to be fatal in some cases.

Things You'll Need

  • UV lamp
  • Cleaning agent such as Betadine
  • Scrub brush
  • Fungicide prescribed or suggested by a vet
Show More

Instructions

  1. How to Kill Fungus on My Reptile

    • 1
      Clean and rinse your reptile's habitat extremely well.

      Clean your reptile's habitat. Starting with the basics. If your reptile has fungus, you will need to ensure the habitat is cleaned as soon as possible to prevent the fungus from spreading and growing. Always remove your reptile when cleaning the tank. A cleaning agent such as Betadine is a good choice. You should gently scrub all objects inside the tank, as well as the glass, with a soft scrubber. Be sure to rinse very well -- you do not want your reptile to eat any residue left behind.

    • 2
      Take your reptile to see a vet.

      Take your reptile to see a vet. Fungus can be fatal if not properly treated, and while there are several different types of fungicides available at pet stores, it is not a good idea to risk choosing one yourself. A variety of different types of fungi could potentially react differently to each different fungicide medication. Some fungus may grow instead of disappear when it has been treated with the wrong type of medication. If you suspect your reptile has fungus, your vet will be able to take a culture to identify the exact fungus and prescribe the correct treatment.

    • 3
      Apply fungicide as directed.

      Apply fungicide to the fungus as directed by the medication label, or by your veterinarian.

    • 4
      Use a UV light for all reptiles.

      Place your reptile back into its cleaned tank after treatment has been applied to the fungal area. Be sure the reptile's habitat has a UV lamp over it, since reptiles need UV light to stay healthy. UV lights are stocked at any pet store. These lights prevent fungus from growing, so to ensure the fungus on your reptile stays treated and doesn't grow, spread or come back, you'll need to use a UV lamp.