New Herper.. cure my fears of Salmonella.

Just got 2 bearded geckos in, 2 ball pythons, 2 red eye tree frogs and a pacman frog in Tuesday. However, I've heard that you can get salmonella off of reptiles. What concerns me most is I am a diabetic sticking my fingers constantly. Every time I handle one of them I use hand sanitizer and then wash hands at the sink. Our city water has a very strong chlorine smell so I guess that helps too. Should I be worried or just play it safe and enjoy it?

Keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine. Hand-washing and common sense are the best forms of prevention there is. :)

I think your pythons would be fine but I would be weary of the froggies.

Your situation is unique with the finger pricking though.. If I was in the same situation, I'd hold my snakes. For what it's worth lol.

Good long read-

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-your-reptiles

As long as you refrain from licking your reptiles *too* often you shouldn't have much to worry about with salmonella... haha

but really in your case the only thing I'd think about is the finger pricking, but it's easy enough to sanitize the area you have to prick, so I don't think you should really be worried

I would also suggest to continue to do what you are doing. Also, maybe wait a little bit of time between when you prick your finger and holding your animals to allow the tiny hole to clot, if you are really worried about it. You should be fine.

Get some rubbing alcohol and cotton balls. Use the alcohol to clean your finger tip before a stick and no worries.

What's a bearded gecko? Salmonella is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. Wash your hands after handling your reptiles and don't put any snake poop in your mouth and you should be fine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MarkS

...and don't put any snake poop in your mouth...

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Man, I really hope that falls under the common sense category I recommended. If not... :please:

Stupid auto correct I meant bearded dragons lol.. I may take extra precautions and wear disposable gloves. Can never be to safe.

It all comes down to common sense and proper hygiene, also no kissing anything that walk or slither in it's own feces.

Know that you are probably more likely to get salmonella from food than your pets.

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...Salmonella.jpg

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/pdf/sa...atlas-508c.pdf

Here is a list of Salmonella outbreaks and as you can see Food is what you should be really concern about http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks.html#2014