Salmonella

[wombat100]

hi all,

can anybody tell me if I can catch salmonella from my pet stimpson python?
Not saying that she has it,but is it a possibility.

Regards wombat100

 

[lutzd]

I thought salmonella was food poisoning??!? As in a gastric bug. So.... unless you are planning on eating your stimmie, I doubt it. Seriously though, why do you ask?

 

[newtosnakes]

the only risk you have of catching salmonella from your python is if you touch his faeces (??? like you would) and then put your hands near your mouth without washing them. Salmonella has been known to be in pet reptiles, turtles lizards and snakes included. However if you follow basic hygiene routines, you will not have a problem. Hope this helps.

 

[inthegrass]

i have heard it is possible, but only if your reptile enclosure is filthy. keep your enclosures clean and washing of your hands will go along way to preventing all sorts of problems.
simple.
cheers.

 

[newtosnakes]

this link may help..

http://www.anapsid.org/salm8.html

 

[lutzd]

Well, there ya go! You learn something new every day! Your question got me interested so I did a bit of Googling and came up with :
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/foodbornedis.htm. Look for the heading "SALMONELLOSIS"

So what this means is that you should always wash your hands after handling any reptiles. Providing you do this thoroughly you should have no problems. See? I'm NOT too old to learn new tricks! [woof!]

 

[Magpie]

Yes, tis possible for reptile to carry salmonella on their skin.
Good idea to wash your hands JIK.

 

[lutzd]

Yep - it's just good sense, I guess. I would say before AND after handling your snakes. A few more links follow.

However, before the paranoia sets in with parents screaming to get rid of them, you can catch lots of diseases from other family pets too, such as cats and dogs. Washing hands with a good antibacterial soap after contact with ANY animal is a good idea.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0GVK/is_2_11/ai_n11833918

http://www.anapsid.org/salmsymptoms.html

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/salmonellosis.htm

http://www.heidihoefer.com/pages/reptiles/salmonella_reptiles.htm

 

[foxysnake]

Wash hands especially after handling shed skins - they contain salmonella.

 

[Rennie]

Thats a worry, I've got skins all over my room!

 

[wombat100]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the info, its just that my son mentioned the fact that it could happen, and I could find no referrance to it in the three snake books that I own.

Did not mean to start a scare, just interested in all aspects of snake handling and keeping.

Regards wombat100

 

[yommy]

No question is a silly question when your starting out, and the guys in here have some good knowledge.
Like what was said, good hygiene for you and your animal reduces risks for alot of things.

 

[peterjohnson64]

But surely you could catch it if you ate them as well, not just handled them?

 

[junglemad]

they taste like chicken, Pete

 

[foxysnake]

I believe the oil that they secrete when they shed has high amounts of salmonella - from what I've been told. Hey pete, just like chicken I guess - you eat it raw and you'l mostly likely get salmonella, cook it properly and its fine. (Not that I've cooked up and eaten and snake lately...)

 

[TrueBlue]

Most reptiles carry salmonella, and it seems to be a benificial bacteria to them in the right levels, it is only when it gets to high levels that it seems to harm them. Salmonella can not be cured but can be controlled by the use of pro-biotics.

 

[africancichlidau]

Hey Wombat buddy, unless you've bought another snake that is a Childreni you have, not a Stimsons.