Assessment of the hygienic correctness of drinking water on the farm of South American chinchilla before and after “shock” treatment with stable liquid chlorine dioxide: A case report

Abstract

Chinchillas consume low daily amounts of water, and due to their sensitivity and susceptibility to digestive tract diseases, they
require extremely high-quality water. For the conventionally used disinfectants it is difficult or almost impossible to reach the standards of cleanliness of water distribution systems. Stable liquid chlorine dioxide is a disinfectant, which successfully and provenly removes most microorganisms and has no negative effect on the equipment and animal health. The aim of the study was to investigate a desinfectant potential in establishing the microbiological purity of the water tank at critical points before and after treatment with chlorine dioxide. The results show that microbiological contamination at both critical points is higher before than after treatment. In conclusion, more frequent control of water quality is needed as well as more frequent disinfection of the water distribution system on the farm. Also, stable liquid chlorine dioxide can be a desinfectant of choice in order to meet the criteria prescribed by the Rulebook on the Healthiness of Drinking Water.