Reptiles and Selmonella.

[bunnykin]

mate chill out i work in a crappy enviroment with loads of people and money and stock etc my kids are normal kids that roll in the dirt as soon as they have showered . we are always out and about bush walking and enjoying nature. We only use the wash with regards to food or animals especially as we are wildlife carers.
So before you go spouting out about how sanitised people are mate learn about who your bolloxing. This person is obviously thinking about this subject and would like feed back. If you cant handle washing your hands fine but don't make out like your the all knowing just because you can read and type.

[bunnykin]

wrasse I was taught by a brilliant vet about how to run my animal area so i guess i am a little bit of a stickler as she is the animals don't complain though and my kids love the pink soap

[Inkslinger]

Reptiles carry several strains of samonella not ALL are transmitted to humans, the type thats is comes from off food, feed animal properly it wont get it either will you.
for those that require ref:
Reptile Medicine and Surgery
Madder
Second Edition

[HerpDoc]

Sadji I can tell you that you couldn't be further from the truth. It is UNTRUE that ALL reptiles carry salmonella as a normal part of their gut flora. There have been multiple studies in the US that demonstrate that salmonella is NOT a normal inhabitant of reptile gut. If you really want I can post the journal titles, most of these studies have been done in the last 2 years or so. At present I have sampled a number of wild reptiles that have been NEGATIVE for salmonella that is from both cloacal swabs and intestinal cultures after post-mortem examination. I re-iterate that those animals that are positive usually have a close association with humans.
As far as vets getting excited about salmonella causing disease they should!! Salmonella is a cause of illness in reptiles and anyone who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves. Once again if you really want can post a number of journal articles, and seeing as though everyone on this site seems to have a copy of Mader maybe we should read the chapters properly because it clearly states a number of conditions directly attributible to salmonella.
I personally have seen causes of reptiles that have had illness associated with salmonella infections but then I guess what weight does that carry seeing as though these samples were only cultured in a professional microbiology lab???

[trance]

God I'm starting to wish I hadn't asked.

I think I will stick to washing my hands just for the fact that their MIGHT be a risk although I'm still not sure of a definitive answer but thanks to everyone for their feedback.

[MrBredli]

Yeah, just wash your hands and you will be fine. Quite simple really.

[NCHERPS]

Originally Posted by HerpDoc

NCHERPS I would like to know where you get your information from as salmonella is definately present in snakes, in fact all the captive animals that I have sampled including species such as carpets etc have been positive. Interestingly many species of wild animals are negative for salmonella including small turtles so your statement is in fact untrue. Worldwide there seems to be a close association with human interaction and salmonella positive animals suggesting that stress and human factors predispose animals to become shedders.
I'm not saying that everyone should get rid of their reptiles or this problem should keep them up at night I am just stating that salmonellosis associated with reptiles is a genuine risk and people should take precautions.

Herpdoc,
I actually said quote "it is more common in young turtles than snakes" I never said it wasn't present in snakes did I?
My source of information was from one of the UK's most respected Herp/Exotic Vets Dr Stephen Divers some 10 years ago, he's now working in the US.
He said that the biggest threat to humans in the UK was involving reptiles was from hatchling red eared sliders(many of which were being kept at the time), they carried alot higher concentration of salmonella and posed the highest risk, so I am not sure that my statement is untrue at all, especially as we are concerned primarily with captive reptiles, not wild ones within our hobby.

I am aware that there is a potential to contract this from all reptiles, but it needs to be put into context.
I am sure that most people will follow proper hygiene protocols nowadays, especially if they have kids handling reptiles.
Also, more and more people are taking greater care using F10 and alike between and after handling as a disease/virus precaution and would spray themselves after handling reptiles also.

Here is a link written by Dr Stephen Divers, you may find it of interest : http://www.repti-consult.co.uk/salmonellacaresheet

[HerpDoc]

NCHERPS,
No you did not say it was not present in snakes but the prevalence of salmonella in captive reptiles is almost the same regardless of species so to say it is more common in turtles than snakes is misguided. I too have never said that people should be obsessed with salmonella but to just flippantly disregard it is erroneous.

[Gabi_79]

You see a few posts on here with people having their babies and very young toddlers holding snakes...what's the thoughts on that? Little kids put their hands in their mouths all the time and things they are holding too, easily could do it before you got the chance to wash their hands. The photos have always bothered me, but I'm a bit germphobic. I use soap here, and then an antibacterial spray after washing with soap.

Unecessary risk you think to children?

[Chimera]

Originally Posted by Gabi_79

You see a few posts on here with people having their babies and very young toddlers holding snakes...what's the thoughts on that? Little kids put their hands in their mouths all the time and things they are holding too, easily could do it before you got the chance to wash their hands. The photos have always bothered me, but I'm a bit germphobic. I use soap here, and then an antibacterial spray after washing with soap.

Unecessary risk you think to children?

My thoughts exactly (see my previous post)

[Chris1]

i kiss my snakes and beardies faces at least 50 times a day, blow raspberries on the beardies tummys, play with the snake while i'm eating, they're often in the kitchen while i'm cooking and i've never even gotten the slightest bit sick feeling.
that being said the beardies get a bath every day which they poo in so they never poo in their tank and then get rinsed, and the snake has a shower with me most days and his poo gets cleaned up as soon as he does one cos he freaks out, so theyre all very clean.

my understanding is that you'd pretty much need to lick their poo to run the risk of getting salmonella from snakes or lizards, so unless theyre covered in poo and their cages are filthy, i couldnt see there being much of a risk..

[IceTime]

I think the you can never be too "careful" attitude should prevail here... I bathe reapeatedly in bleach that has been heated to 60c several times a day. I scrub each of my fingers and generally any part of my body I know to be "unclean" exactly 60 times. Again with bleach. In fact I have typed each of the letters on my keyboard, 60 times and backspaced 59 times and washed the key board between each keystroke with a disinfectant spray. When I handle my reptiles I always ensure I wear two latex gloves on each hand and generally if I'm not in a hurry I will use breathing apparatus. My reptile room has air scrubbers installed separately from the remaining..... okay I'm bored...sheesh point is soap and water people... basic hygeine... no need to go all rain man... salmonella IS overated... try swabbing any surface in your home or out in public and see the whole range of nasties that are on there... being sick or otherwise can be said of any disease... like oh if you are old or dying best not catch a cold... huh maybe I should rethink giving grandma a 8ft long reptile seeing as tho shes one foot in the grave...she might get ill from it... assuming after 80years she doesnt know how to wash her hands... I better rethink taking him to work where I cook for all the sick kiddies whilst I'm at it...

Sorry guys I'll just go back to my thesis looking into the link between old age and dying....next thesis... Its not speed that kills it hitting a stationionary object at speed that kills...Who knew? Or Reptile owners who ride motorbikes...which will kill them first? I'm off to my cottonwool ball room guys end rant.

[Wrasse]

Originally Posted by IceTime

Or Reptile owners who ride motorbikes...which will kill them first?

:eek:

My time is limited...

[NCHERPS]

Originally Posted by HerpDoc

NCHERPS,
No you did not say it was not present in snakes but the prevalence of salmonella in captive reptiles is almost the same regardless of species so to say it is more common in turtles than snakes is misguided. I too have never said that people should be obsessed with salmonella but to just flippantly disregard it is erroneous.

HerpDoc,
I didn't consider it misguided at all, as it came from a respected Herp Vet, one with alot of experience.

[Gabi_79]

Originally Posted by Chris1

i kiss my snakes and beardies faces at least 50 times a day, blow raspberries on the beardies tummys, play with the snake while i'm eating, they're often in the kitchen while i'm cooking and i've never even gotten the slightest bit sick feeling.
that being said the beardies get a bath every day which they poo in so they never poo in their tank and then get rinsed, and the snake has a shower with me most days and his poo gets cleaned up as soon as he does one cos he freaks out, so theyre all very clean.

my understanding is that you'd pretty much need to lick their poo to run the risk of getting salmonella from snakes or lizards, so unless theyre covered in poo and their cages are filthy, i couldnt see there being much of a risk..

Is this a serious post? You blow rasberries on a beardies tummy? You shower with your snake and cook with it in the kitchen?

Or are you pulling our legs LOL