What You Need to Know About Salmonella Outbreaks Associated with Pet Lizards

Lizards are truly underrated pets.bearded dragon especially Smart, friendly, and fun to look after.o It is no surprise that they are popular household pets. One caveat though: Apet reptiles in new york can be transported salmonella Bacteria, and CDC warns Recent Outbreak With a bearded dragon that inspired children.

reptiles are portable salmonella

This should be Reptile Care 101, but many seem to miss the message.Or, you know, you’re a little lax about safety protocols. salmonella As part of the normal “good” bacteria in your gut. That means you can have healthy pets that get sick.

We hear about these occurrences from time to time. Turtles are common carriers of bacteria, Hatchlings cannot be sold as pets That’s probably good news for turtles, as most turtles grow bigger than people realize. often abandoned When it grows too big and is no longer cute. ) last year the CDC told us stop kissing backyard chickens,can Also bring salmonellaFrogs, iguanas, snakes, and other reptile and amphibian pets are also potential carriers.

illness from salmonella It is most common in people under the age of 5 or over the age of 65 and presents with symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, which can become severe enough to make it difficult to keep fluids down. CDC advise If you or your child have any of these symptoms or signs of dehydration such as infrequent urination or dizziness while standing, seek medical attention.

how to avoid getting caught salmonella from your pet reptile

Should you give up your beloved beard? Not at all, but you should be aware of what is considered safe handling.

If you are a healthy adult, the main thing you should know is to wash your hands after handling pets or taking care of them such as feeding them or cleaning their enclosures. (A hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can be done in a pinch.) Hands should be washed after touching pets or their objects and before eating or drinking.

Salmonella can also be transferred to surfaces, so do not bring pets into the kitchen. Also, always wash your hands after touching anything your pet has touched.

Pet reptiles are not intended for children under the age of 5

Watching your child cuddle a pet lizard could be cute, CDC Recommendation Children under the age of 5 should not handle pet reptiles at all. It’s not just because little kids put everything in their mouths, but it’s part of it.

The real concern is that children are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill than healthy adults. salmonellaIn the recent outbreak associated with the bearded dragon, about half of the people who got sick were under the age of one, the CDC notes. doing.)

That doesn’t mean everyone was having their kid drool directly at the lizard. Remember that germs can spread on surfaces. You may hear your child crying while you are caring for Beardie, so return the child to the tank to pick him up. The CDC recommends always washing your hands after holding or caring for a reptile and before holding or caring for a child.

Similarly, you would also want to avoid situations where your pet is roaming the same room as your child is playing. Also, you definitely don’t want to wash your pet’s tank, food his bowl, or any other equipment in your kitchen sink. Washing outdoors or in a laundry tub keeps germs away from living spaces where your child may encounter them.

Not only children, but also the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may be at increased risk of getting sick from a sick pet. salmonellaUnfortunately, we cannot accurately test pet reptiles. Salmonella (They may test negative, but they still have the bacteria.) Nor can they be reliably “cured.” According to the Herpetological Veterinary Association,.