salmonella

[mycolorfulheart]

So i had always heard that you aren't supposed to have a kid with a reptile, because the kid could get sick/die via salmonella. but people have posted pics of kids with snakes, etc, so i'm wondering if it's really an issue, if it's blown out of proportion or what. i'm on birth control and have this horrible image of myself having a child and having to give up my snake as well. :eek: and lose all my dreams of other reptilian family members.....i know it's a neurotic fear but bear with me here i love my pets. can you safely keep a child and a reptile together?

[ssssnakeluvr]

I have been handling reptiles since the 70's and have never gotten sick. However it is a possiblity. salmonella is a common gut bacteria in reptiles. the biggest worry is with iguanas and aquatic turtles. their cages stay warm and moist, perfect for bacteria to multiply. iguana food bowls will stay damp with veggies and warm.... common sense and washing your hands after handling and you should be just fine. my kids help me a lot also and have never been sick. snake cages are generally kept nice and dry to prevent skin problems. as long as the cage is relatively dry, bacteria won't be able to grow. you can buy a bottle of hand sanitizer to kill germs after handling reptiles and you should be fine.

[adamanteus]

I agree with Don on this. Reptiles can carry salmonella, especially turtles, but normal hygiene practice is fine where snakes are concerned. I think it can often be blown out of proportion.

[mycolorfulheart]

thanks for the info. i think people can get spooked about disease, especially when it comes to their kids.

[adamanteus]

That's true, but I really wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I've personally never known anyone have a problem. I don't hesitate letting my four year old daughter handle the snakes, and I'll be honest, she doesn't always wash her hands afterwards!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Salmonella is not a seriously threat if you know HOW to teach your child to handle a reptile and to always wash their hands. I actually did contract salmonellaonce, But I am not sure whether it was from the chicken I ate or reptiles. I became very ill, was very dehydrated. Bt it didn't stop there, very rarely salmonella can migrate from your stomach and intestines to other parts of your body. It did this to me and got into my urinary tract and caused a LOT of problems for me! I could not stand for more than 5 minutes before my kidneys hurt so bad i couldnt breathe! I was out of work for a week.

So i hope none of you ever have to go through that, but i guess you can't help i if you eat something bad unknowingly. I had chicken the night before I became sick. This is probably where it came from seeing as I am VERY clean when it comes to my reptiles.

[tikichick]

This should help put your mind at ease a bit.

Salmonella and Other Zoonoses: The Basics (http://www.anapsid.org/salmsymptoms.html)

[GarterGuy]

Just curious, but has there ever been any documented cases of salmonella infection from snakes????? I know turtles and some lizards, but have never heard anything on snakes. Wondering if they don't carry the bacteria in their guts?

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

ive never gotten sick and im a kid :D, just make them wash and dont let them put their hands in their mouth after theyve touched a snake

[Stefan-A]

Just curious, but has there ever been any documented cases of salmonella infection from snakes????? I know turtles and some lizards, but have never heard anything on snakes. Wondering if they don't carry the bacteria in their guts?
According to what I've read, somewhere between 90 and 100% of all snakes carry the bacteria. So the risk seems to be exaggerated.

[drache]

just because you're exposed doesn't necessarily mean you'll get it either
we all carry loads of potentially dangerous micro-organisms
and loads of "beneficial" micro-organisms
it's all nicely balanced to maintain our health
you could probably be exposed to salmonella most days and your immune system could deal with it
then one day, you're a bit run down, a couple of stress factors up the ante, you eat the wrong thing - and the next day you're struck with the runs
gosh - most of us have that scenario every day - it's amazing we're not sick all the time

[GarterGuy]

According to what I've read, somewhere between 90 and 100% of all snakes carry the bacteria. So the risk seems to be exaggerated.

Just out of curiosity, how many other pet animals also carry the bacteria. It'd be interesting to have a comparison to non-reptile pets.

[Stefan-A]

Googled it.

"S almonella spp. can be isolated from healthy dogs and cats at rates of up to 36% and 18%, respectively."
http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/ (http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/pbs/zoonoses/GIk9fel/salmonella.html)


"In cats and dogs it has been estimated from tests that up to 36% of healthy dogs and 18% of healthy cats have Salmonella in their faeces, and the number of animals carrying the disease is thought to be higher than these findings."
PROVET HEALTHCARE INFORMATION - Salmonellosis (http://www.provet.co.uk/Petfacts/healthtips/salmonellosis.htm)

[adamanteus]

I wonder if we humans carry it anyway, but don't necessarily get ill? I don't know.
It seems pretty much every other animal carries it, why not us?

[Stefan-A]

It is possible, yes. "Surivors" can become asymptomatic carriers.

[Lori P]

What?? I have to stop licking my snakes?? DARN IT... :D

[adamanteus]

Lori, you're strange. I like you, but you're strange!:D

[Lori P]

:D Come on James, laughter makes the world go round right?!!! :D

[Stefan-A]

Depends on who you're laughing at. :D

[Lori P]

Me, usually. I laugh at me a LOT. :-) :-)

[drache]

I found out that there are over 1400 species of salmonella
we're bound to carry a few
just maybe not the ones causing pathology

[Loren]

I say put reptile cages up on stands out of the reach of children while they are really young, then as they grow, let them handle them, but only with direct supervision. I dont think illness is a big risk, but kids still shouldnt be able to handle reptiles till they are old enough and responsible enough to keep their fingers out of their mouths untill they have washed up.
As far as keeping them in the house in general, I dont think you can get sick without actually touching them or something that they have touched. I wouldnt let reptiles free roam the house if I had an infant.
And yes, the threat is blown out of proportion.

[Stefan-A]

2 species of Salmonella, or 6 subspecies and something like 4000 serovars.

[drache]

serovars are just variants within a species distinguished by different serological reactions
according to Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary there are over 1400 distinct species that have been classified, many of which are not pathogenic and so don't really count in a discussion of this sort
I do realize that the 19th edition has some flaws, but for the most part I do trust them

[Loren]

serovars are just variants within a species distinguished by different serological reactions
according to Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary there are over 1400 distinct species that have been classified, many of which are not pathogenic and so don't really count in a discussion of this sort
I do realize that the 19th edition has some flaws, but for the most part I do trust them
:confused:
My cats breath smells like catfood.

[drache]

:confused:
My cats breath smells like catfood.

so does my cats'
kitty halitosis (I love big words from Taber's)
but I think it's probably unrelated to salmonella, or I might have mentioned it sooner
and I think your cat will be fine as long as she doesn't develop trichoglossia

[tikichick]

I agree with Don on this. Reptiles can carry salmonella, especially turtles, but normal hygiene practice is fine where snakes are concerned. I think it can often be blown out of proportion.


I agree and I just read about it in turtles last night:

"Avoiding Salmonella
Salmonella poisoning is something all reptile owners should be aware of since it is a disease that can cause severe diarrhea and even death to children and people with weaken immune systems. Some box turtles (as well as raw eggs, chicken, beef, flies) are carriers of the germ and can spread it to humans. Always wash your hands with an antibacterial soap after handling box turtles or any reptiles. Never feed raw chicken or beef to turtles. Never let small children play with your turtles. They may try to kiss the turtle or stick fingers in their mouths before you have a chance to tell them to wash their hands. Never clean turtle items near food preparation areas, like the kitchen sink. Use an outdoor faucet and washpan. If you keep in mind the need for cleanliness and hand washing, you will lessen the chances of Salmonella poisoning."


from Health Care for Box Turtles (http://www.anapsid.org/boxheal.html)