The active ingredient in Vetericyn Plus is hypochlorous acid. NaOCl is an oxidizer, and in its sodium salt form sodium hypochlorite (HOCl), or in its calcium salt form calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)2), can be used as a bleach. Chemical formulas are HOCl and NaOCl respectively. The pH of bleach is 11-13 whereas the pH of Vetericyn Plus VF is 6.5-6.8. This difference is very important in safety and non-cytotoxicity. Although both are oxychlorine compounds, the single change in formula makes a big difference in activity. It is similar to what happens when you take carbon dioxide (CO2) and remove one oxygen molecule, (CO) carbon monoxide.