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Frog/Lizard Habitat

22 14:59:17

Question
Thanks Chelsey, I also just thought to ask my MD cousin and he said "probably OK" and looking on the internet, it seems to suggest polyurethane is also used in medical devices:

"...catheter and general purpose tubing, hospital bedding, surgical drapes, wound dressings, as well as in a variety of injection molded devices."

I think inhaling it is bad in liquid/spray form and the smell initially isn't nice, but I am hoping that if its OK to use for medicine, its OK for the frogs. I'll let my son decide in the end; they're his frogs!

Your feedback has been much appreciated!

Thanks
Rob
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Followup To

Question -
Hi,

We just made a Plaster-of-Paris burrow for a lizard and a pond from the same for two frogs we own. Of course, we needed to seal the plaster so painted it and then used a polyurethane sealer.

Of course, we're going to let the smell dissapate before using these "works of art" ( :-) ) but it suddenly occured to me whether there's anything nasty in the construction (chemically) that may affect either of the frogs or lizard adversly.

Do you have any feeling for this?

Thanks
Rob

Answer -
Hi Rob!
That's very cool that you made your own stuff, very creative!

Well, the lizard should be fine. It's the frogs I am not sure about. Frogs don't really drink water, they absorb it through their skin. So, whatever chemicals are used in the Plaster-of-Paris will be absorbed in the frogs' bodies. I'm not really sure if any thing in it is dangerous or not, but I would advise not using the pond for the frogs.  I'm not sure if anything will go in the water or not. My guess would be to look on the package and see if it is non toxic. If it's non toxic to humans, it is probably okay to be in the frogs water bowl. Either way, it's fine for the lizard's burrow, since the fumes have worn off by then. I'm not saying it is bad, I'm just not sure and I don't want to say go ahead and use it and have your frogs get sick.
Look on the package for a website as well, they might have info on what they use to make it.

Hopefully it is okay to use, it would be pretty cool to be able to use your works of art!

Best Wishes, Chelsey

Answer
Hi again!
I'm sure they will be fine, even if it ends up not being that good for them what's the worst that could happen? I'm sure it won't cause any real damage or long term affects. In any case, you learn a lesson for the future!
Good luck with your frogs and lizard!
best wishes, Chelsey