The same water quality standards used for fish should be applied to Xenopus and all anurans. It will be desirable to switch to CAP water on the University of Arizona campus. Lysol is the disinfectant of choice, because amphibians are unaffected by phenols and creosol type disinfectants. Cagewashers are excellent to use for cleaning cages of aquatic species, because chemical residues do not adversely affect these animals. There is no need to observe handwashing procedures.
Amphibians carry no diseases transmissible to humans.
After working with animals, caging or feces, normal handwashing procedures are adequate to avoid most health risks associated with amphibians. Fortunately, these secretions cause no ill effects in humans. Absorption and excretion rates for anesthetics depend only on body weight. Hypothermia is an acceptable method of anesthesia, since amphibians hibernate and feel no pain. Anesthesia is judged by loss of righting reflex and respiratory effort as a surgical level of anesthesia is reached.