Can snakes catch colds

Hey i recently came down with a common cold and was wondering if it would still be ok for me to handle my BP. I would usually just wait till i felt better to handle here but since i am treating her for scale rot i need to have her out to soak and also so that i can give her the meds( orally). I guess my question is do BP's catch human sicknesses, or if washing my hands before touching her will be fine.

Nope, I don't think a human cold could affect a ball python. I may be wrong, but I'm sure they're built differently so the virus wouldn't affect them like it would with us.

i agree with cody. i don't think it's possible and i've never heard of it happening before.

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Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

I guess my question is do BP's catch human sicknesses

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No.

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Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

, or if washing my hands before touching her will be fine.

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Always a good idea to wash your hands before and after anyway.

-adam

Regardless if you are sick or perfectly healthy:

ALWAYS ALWAYS wash your hands BEFORE AND AFTER handling your bp. It's much safer for both you and your bp.

Yes, especially if you have been handling rodents. :)

Yeah, there are very few things that humans can transfer to animals, and I dont think that anyone has probably even looked into whether or not humans can pass any sicknesses to snakes. I know you can give the flu to your dog though!

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Originally Posted by Andrew00

I know you can give the flu to your dog though!

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Ya thats was what i was thinking when i asked this question, because i knew that dogs can catch human sickness so i figured that it might be possbile to give my cold to my snake. But it sounds like that is not the case with snakes. That is better for me because i don't think my mother would be too thrilled with opening my snakes mouth and shooting the antibiotics in hehe. She likes my snake but not that much lol

I know why I should wash my hands before I handle my BP but what is the reason behind washing after? I always do it (because you guys told me to :D)

So that God forbid you snake has salminela(i know that is not spelled right, work with me people :)) that could be transfered to you or perhaps another pet that you own in the house. Its the same with turtles and stuff. they are all carriers.