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Posted by James on April 19, 2001 at 13:09:34:
In Reply to: salmonella question posted by Myyaa's mom on April 19, 2001 at 12:01:33:
It is really hard to say because of the lack of information. Does your iguana live in an enclosure, or is he roaming your house? Did the dog have access to the iguana or its feces? There are many other questions. Have they isolated the Salmonella sterotype? Many are unique to reptiles, which would answer your questions. It is possible under the right circumstances that he got it from your Iguana. But it is also posible that he could have contracted it from bird feces. I will provide you and the others with my take on salmonella in general. I wish That I could answer your question better for you. Salmonella is a bacteria that has over 2000 different sterotypes, of which 1000 are known to be found in reptiles. Some are quite rare, making them easy to trace back to reptiles in some cases of human, or in your case dog, infection. Salmonella exposure in most humans causes little or no symptoms, but in others, it can be more serious, with symptoms including: profuse (sometimes bloody) diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, lack of appetite, headache, vomiting, and in extreme cases, even death. Salmonella has been known to survive for up to 2.5 years in shed reptilian feces, and is easily spread through contact with contaminated carpet, bath tubs, clothing, and hands. People who are at risk (children under the age of 5, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with immune deficiency disorders such as HIV or AIDS) should avoid contact with reptiles and their cages. All reptiles should be considered potential asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella. Asymptomatic carriers are reptiles that carry the disease in their gastrointestinal tract, and pass it in their feces, without actually suffering from any symptoms themselves. Past studies have shown that about 75% of the iguanas in captivity have proven to be "carriers" of Salmonella. However, it is a good idea to treat all reptiles as if they were potential carriers. In fact, more recent studies suggest that virtually 100% of all reptiles are actually asyptomatic carriers of Salmonella, even if they have previously had numerous negative fecal cultures. Not only reptiles carry Salmonella. Many animals including dogs, cats, chicken, and other birds may carry one kind of Salmonella or another in their gastrointestinal tracts. It has even been estimated that 60% of people are asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella (fortunately for us, we have toilets and soap). Contrary to what the media would have you believe; Salmonella is not some dangerous highly contagious virus that is waiting to infect the first innocent person that comes in contact with a reptile. It is simply the result of what could happen when any animal is kept in a manner where it comes in contact with its own feces, and is then handled by an individual who does not take the proper precautions (Hand washing) to avoid being infected. For example, if your cousin Bob was the type of guy who, on occasion, liked to lay in his own fecal waste, while also having the habit of rarely or never bathing with soap; Would you want to shake his hand and then go have lunch without washing your hands? I will assume that the answer is "no". You would also not want Cousin Bob to have free run in your home, and you certainly would not want to kiss him or allow your children to touch him. It is no different with iguanas. Iguanas are usually kept in enclosures where they regularly come in contact with their own feces, and while they may look clean, they are not, as they do not have the luxury of soap and water that we do. Iguanas should never be allowed to roam through your home, and you should never ever kiss them. Salmonella is transmited because of a lack of proper hygiene due to ignorance, and possibly laziness . The risk of Salmonella infections can be avoided with the practice of proper hygiene for both the iguana and its keeper. This means cleaning the cage and possibly the iguana with an antibacterial soap whenever it is needed, and washing your own hands with soap whenever you touch the iguana or its cage. Your Iguana should be viewed as a piece of raw chicken or feces. Every time you touch it, you wash your hands. It is that simple. If you use common sense then you are not at risk.
