How blue and green clay kills bacteria.

Since prehistoric times, clay have been used by people for medicinal purposes. Whether by eating it, soaking in a mud bath, or using it to stop bleeding from wounds, clay has long been part of keeping humans healthy. Now scientists have discovered the two key ingredients that give some natural clays the power to kill even antibiotic-resistant microbes. A new discovery by Arizona State University scientists shows exactly how two specific metallic elements in the right kinds of clay can kill troublesome bacteria that infect humans and animals."We think of this mechanism like the Trojan horse attack in ancient Greece," said Lynda Williams, a clay-mineral scientist at ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE). "Two elements in the clay work in tandem to kill bacteria." She explained, "One metallic element -- chemically reduced iron, which in small amounts is required by a bacterial cell for nutrition -- tricks the cell into opening its wall. Then another element -- aluminum -- props the cell wall open, allowing a flood of iron to enter the cell. This overabundance of iron then poisons the cell, killing it as the reduced iron becomes oxidized." A chance discovery of a medicinal clay from Europe caught Williams' attention and put her on the track. A French philanthropist with clinical experience in Africa told her about a particular green-hued clay found near the philanthropist's childhood home in France. The philanthropist, Line Brunet de Courssou, had taken samples of the clay to Africa, where she documented its cure for Buruli ulcer, a flesh-eating skin disease, in patients in the African country of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). The research include testing dozens of samples, Williams and her team identified a blue-colored clay from the Oregon Cascades that proved to be highly antibacterial. The research reported in the paper shows that it works against a broad spectrum of human pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The colors of the clays reflect their origins, Williams said. The greens and blues of antibacterial clays come from having a high content of chemically reduced iron (Fe2+), as opposed to oxidized iron (Fe3+), which gives the familiar red color of rust (Fe-oxide), often associated with many clays. Reduced clays are common in many parts of the world, typically forming in volcanic ash layers as rocks become altered by water that is oxygen-deprived and hydrogen-rich. source; science daily.

DISEASE TRANSMISSION ON FARMS AND COMMON DISINFECTANTS.

Unrestricted movements to farms,across farms and from other farms to your farm. Contamination of feed and water with droppings. Contact with wild birds,infected birds and exotic birds. Contaminated farm equipment and tools. Soiled hands. contaminated plastic and paper crates. Inhaling infected Respiratory droplets. All these routes of transmission can be curtailed with strict bio security protocol; which should include isolation ,washing, and disinfection .The pathogens are usually inactivated by potent disinfectants that contain active ingredients that destroys these pathogens; these include lipid solvents,saponated cresols,phenol compounds,formaldehyde,lodine compounds,hypochlorite, and ammonia compounds. There are various compounds with varied potency,hence its imperative to tailor your disinfectants to match the pathogens to ensure efficacy.

HOW TO TREAT MANGE IN RABBIT.

 MANGE IN RABBIT. Mange in rabbit is caused by mite infestation.This tiny creatures burrow into skin,ear and feet region resulting in crusty scabs

 There are patches of hair loss on coat resulting in bald areas.. The mite infestation results in unthrifty condition in the rabbit because of constant scratching and pulling of affected areas,there is loss of weight and in severe condition fluids oozing out of scratched areas ,this predisposes the rabbit to secondary bacteria infection.

Treatment. The  use of ivermectin: i find the oral route very effective.When condition is severe with oozing fluid,the area is cleaned
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Administer ivermectin and antibiotics. I usually spray affected regions with coconut oil,this suffocates the mites thus preventing further burrowing and hasten healing process.
 The ivermectin is dosed 3 times ; day 0,14 and 28 days the ivermectin kills mites and also deworms the rabbit.
 
  Hygiene is important when raising rabbits.The hutch/cages should be cleaned ,the drains and housing environment must be cleaned regularly .