Salmonella

[missjmg19]

So, we know we need to wash hands after handling our little guy, or after touching anything in his habitat, but question..... if he has lived inside for 5 years now, would he "suddenly" contract salmonella? I mean, is this a concern down the road or only when you first get a new reptile (tortoise or otherwise)?

I mean, it's good practice and common sense to wash your hands anyway, but I'm just curious about the overall risk factor.

Thanks!

 

[dmmj]

I would assume the risk is no more than practically every other object on the planet. just practice basic hygiene and you shouldn't have any problems I've had Turtles and tortoises for 30 plus years and I wash my hands after every single time I handle them

 

[Jodie]

I agree. I operate under the assumption that the risk is always there. I am especially cautious when cleaning out large indoor areas.

 

[MPRC]

My hygiene when handling tortoises is relatively lax and I've been alright so far. Generally it isn't such a concern for healthy adults. When my boyfriends kids are over though we make sure everyone washes their hands EVERY time they touch a tortoise and every time we are going to eat just for good measure.

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm not a scientist or doctor, but my assumption is that salmonella lives in the animal's intestinal tract. I have always thought that it lives in humans' tracts too. Healthy animals can have salmonella living in their intestinal tracts. Of course, if the animal is ill, the salmonella is shed more readily.

It's always a good idea to wash your hands after cleaning up after any of your animals...cats, dogs, birds, reptiles...even baby humans!

 

[Steve_carter]

I think like anything on this planet. Basic hygiene is a must. Specially livestock. We have numerous animals. Dogs, horses, tort touch one, wash your hands after. Just basic hygiene

 

[MPRC]

Oh and no sucking on the pond turtles like they were worried about in the 80's when the Ninja Turtles gained popularity.

 

[Gillian M]

So, we know we need to wash hands after handling our little guy, or after touching anything in his habitat, but question..... if he has lived inside for 5 years now, would he "suddenly" contract salmonella? I mean, is this a concern down the road or only when you first get a new reptile (tortoise or otherwise)?

I mean, it's good practice and common sense to wash your hands anyway, but I'm just curious about the overall risk factor.

Thanks!

I wash my hand before AND after I touch Oli and his enclosure. "Better be safe than sorry."

 

[missjmg19]

I'm not a scientist or doctor, but my assumption is that salmonella lives in the animal's intestinal tract. I have always thought that it lives in humans' tracts too. Healthy animals can have salmonella living in their intestinal tracts. Of course, if the animal is ill, the salmonella is shed more readily.

It's always a good idea to wash your hands after cleaning up after any of your animals...cats, dogs, birds, reptiles...even baby humans!

Agreed!

 

[missjmg19]

Thanks everyone! Guess everyone is on same page as I am regarding good hygiene. We have always had a lot of animals of varying species and have always washed hands before and after. Was really just curious about "where" it would come from when not exposed other reptiles. Makes sense that it could live inside without us realizing it.