Salmonella

TRACEDUMASHSOG

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Ok, Ok
I have a scary issue, I just found out that tortoise carry salmonella. My wife has lupus, and salmonella isn't good for someone with autoimmune deficiency. My question is, if she uses rubber gloves to handle him, and I do all the cleaning, feeding, etc, and we both wash good afterwards should she be ok?
 

TRACEDUMASHSOG

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10
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Ok, Ok
That's what I was thinking, and hoping, she loves the little guy/gal, and it would break her heart to have to let him go, but her health is the most important of course.
 

Markw84

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I have a scary issue, I just found out that tortoise carry salmonella. My wife has lupus, and salmonella isn't good for someone with autoimmune deficiency. My question is, if she uses rubber gloves to handle him, and I do all the cleaning, feeding, etc, and we both wash good afterwards should she be ok?
Salmonella is present in so many things. I know of no cases of it from tortoises. It was the aquatic turtles and how hatchlings in particular were kept that was the "problem". If you get a piece of raw chicken from the store and put it in an inch or two of water, then not clean it for a few days, you have just as good (probably better) a chance of seeing a nice culture of salmonella start to develop. It is not that turtles "carry" salmonella. It is that the way people were sold items to keep the hatchlings that created perfect bacteria culture conditions. Again, I know of no cases that came from tortoises. With anything, especially that produces waste - good cleanliness is important.
 

nezw0001

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Jul 8, 2018
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MN
It would be easy enough to test your tort for salmonella. My lab does it all the time for a variety of species. An animal that is actively shedding will produce way more bacteria that what comes off of a chicken or turkey carcass. Clorox wipes are great to use on surfaces and tools.
 

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