Galvanized Mesh Poisoning

[ChameleonKing1911]

In one of my recent posts "Lovereps" gently reminded me not to use galvanized mesh for my chameleons cage because it causes Zinc poisoning in reptiles and birds. I tried doing research but I came up empty handed. Can anyone verify this claim? Any input would be appriciated

 

[shmeenakoz]

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/toxicology/zinc_toxicosis/overview_of_zinc_toxicosis.html

hope this helps!

 

[Mike Fisher]

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Showing results for galvanized wire zinc toxicity in birds.

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Literally mountains of info and data.

 

[Lazy Boy]

About 5,010 results (0.42 seconds)
Showing results for galvanized wire zinc toxicity in birds.

About 1,710 results (0.52 seconds)
Showing results for galvanized wire zinc toxicity in reptiles.

Literally mountains of info and data.

Your Google foo is strong master

 

[Carlton]

In one of my recent posts "Lovereps" gently reminded me not to use galvanized mesh for my chameleons cage because it causes Zinc poisoning in reptiles and birds. I tried doing research but I came up empty handed. Can anyone verify this claim? Any input would be appriciated

I have used galvanized hardware cloth for cham cages, but scrubbed them hard to remove any flaking or loose surface material before using it, and repeated this regularly. You can paint the mesh too. Many of the bird poisoning records may be for parrots...who chewed on the wire and ingested the zinc.

 

[Mike Fisher]

I have used galvanized hardware cloth for cham cages, but scrubbed them hard to remove any flaking or loose surface material before using it, and repeated this regularly. You can paint the mesh too. Many of the bird poisoning records may be for parrots...who chewed on the wire and ingested the zinc.

No matter how much you scrub it, unless you actually use a wire wheel and remove all of the galvanizing, any water droplets that come off the wire will have zinc in it, guaranteed. A good thick coating of epoxy paint should do the job as long as you check it for flaking on a regular basis.