GliderCENTRAL

Salmonella possibility???

Posted By: Anonymous

Salmonella possibility??? - 09/21/08 04:58 AM

I've just read a few articles on salmonella transmission from (pet)gliders to humans (though rare). These are medical vet research articles, not gossip, yet I've never seen anything posted here with any such reference. We have a box turtle so we are very careful about washing precautions with that, and that reality is pretty well publicized, but gliders?? Actually mentions in one article to not bring glider items (food, wheel) into kitchen because of possible contamination. While I try to keep my kids from putting the "kitchen" on the counter while cleaning it, they sometimes forget and ALWAYS have cleaned the critter dishes and kitchen in the sink. We also don't take huge precautions with washing hands, and obviously that's a moot point when you've had a glider crawling all over you anyway. I'd like to think I'm off base here, but the research and validity of sources says otherwise. Someone put my fears to rest....
Posted By: Adri

Re: Salmonella possibility??? - 09/21/08 05:12 AM

Ok salmonella in an infected animal will show signs of illness and if left untreated will cause death. So unless your gliders are obviously sick the chances you or your family contracting it from "them" are minimal if existant at all. The issue with the turtles is they can carry the bacteria on the shell from the water they go into. I have had a bird die of samonella many years ago while the US allowed importation. The whole flock the bird was with died or was euthanzied, they contracted it from drinking in the same contaminated body of water. I have had gliders for many years and have never had salmonella as a problem. Maybe some other member can shed more light.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Salmonella possibility??? - 09/21/08 05:15 AM

OH! That's scary. I throw my leftovers in the disposal and then put dishes in the dishwasher with the other dishes. I have 9 kids and never thought about it. We have alot of animals. I make it a rule if food or drinks are involved then you better have washed your hands. But of course, I always find a few that (forgot). Hopefully someone will know more.
Posted By: Adri

Re: Salmonella possibility??? - 09/21/08 05:21 AM

I wash all my glider dishes, water bottles,etc. In my sink, where I wash everything else and I have never had a problem. Salmonella causes extreme diarrhea, and with gliders I really think the prognosis would not be good. I really don't think you have much to worry about in regards to them.
Posted By: sugarlope

Re: Salmonella possibility??? - 09/21/08 06:00 PM

Another thing to realize (differences between the herp pet population and the mammal pet population) is that herpetiles tend to be carriers, i.e. they often do not get sick from salmonella but will carry and shed it for their entire life and it is nearly- to impossible to get rid of in reptiles/some amphibians.

Mammals, on the other hand, as has been mentioned, get very sick from it, and just like similar bacteria and parasites, they will shed it for a while (even after they may be symptom free) but in most cases eventually they will fight it off and no longer be contagious to those around them. The few cases that can become chronic are those with depressed immune systems either from severe chronic illness (that depresses the immune system) or those on immune system depressing medications like steriods.

Even with reptiles, though, good hygiene (washing hands well every time you handle an animal or their things) means that you should be ok. Teach kids to always wash hands after handling animals and not to put their hands around their nose, eyes, or mouths. It is also safest not to kiss your animals, but I used to kiss all my reptiles, even my salmonella + iguana, so as the saying goes, 'do what I say, not what I do'. But I am really consistent with any kids that are around ANY of my animals, even my dog and cats. We always pet then head immediately for the sink when we are finished, it's best to get it into their heads when they are young! smile
© 2024 GliderCENTRAL