probably less than eating out somewhere!...

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Niki on October 09, 2000 at 11:36:58:

In Reply to: Salmonella risk in Star Tortoises? posted by Sarah on October 09, 2000 at 09:27:36:

seriously, all reptiles are potential carriers of
Salmonella, and many have it and never have any
problems with it. Under times of stress, excess
cells may be shed and then problems occur.

Basically, with good hygiene, and always washing
hands with soap after handling, or working in the
cage, there shouldn't be a problem for a healthy
adult, supervise childrens hand washing sessions.

You can have a vet check an animal for salmonella
with a fecal exam, but my vet sends this out to
a lab which cultures it for 3 days, and it's about
$45 for this test. (Regular exam for worms - parasites
is only $12 and can be done immediately at the office).
This is not a guarantee though, as like I said often
salmonella will not show itself until times of stress.

I had this test done upon aquiring my tortoise, as
I figured moving to a new home was stressful, so
if he was going to show it he would. And also several
months later again. Now I don't worry too much
about it. We always wash our hands and don't kiss
the tortoise (air kisses and baby talk are OK!).

My Sulcata Tortoise

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: seriously, all reptiles are potential carriers of : Salmonella, and many have it and never have any : problems with it. Under times of stress, excess : cells may be shed and then problems occur. : Basically, with good hygiene, and always washing : hands with soap after handling, or working in the : cage, there shouldn't be a problem for a healthy : adult, supervise childrens hand washing sessions. : You can have a vet check an animal for salmonella : with a fecal exam, but my vet sends this out to : a lab which cultures it for 3 days, and it's about : $45 for this test. (Regular exam for worms - parasites : is only $12 and can be done immediately at the office). : This is not a guarantee though, as like I said often : salmonella will not show itself until times of stress. : I had this test done upon aquiring my tortoise, as : I figured moving to a new home was stressful, so : if he was going to show it he would. And also several : months later again. Now I don't worry too much : about it. We always wash our hands and don't kiss : the tortoise (air kisses and baby talk are OK!).

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]