Instruments may be soaked for 10 minutes in Cidex solution, to remove vegetative bacteria, when performing surgical procedures on multiple animals as long as they are sterilized thoroughly before the first procedure in the sequence. Glutaraldehyde is toxic to skin and mucous membranes. It must be rinsed from instruments and other items with sterile water before use. Some authors claim that the tubercle bacillus and other similar organisms are resistant to hypochlorite. Bleach will damage fabric and is an irritant to mucous membranes.
Alcohols destroy bacteria via the coagulation of protein.
They have poor activity against bacterial and fungal spores, evaporate rapidly if kept in open containers, form flammable mixtures with air, are inactivated by organic matter, and dissolve lens cement mountings. Ethyl alcohol has abuse potential and must be kept in locked cabinets. When used as antiseptics, they are applied to the skin after Nolvasan or Betadine Scrub. As instrument disinfectants, they may be used by immersion for 15 minutes. Alcohol should never be in direct contact with an incision because it will cause severe pain.