Salmonella and Reptiles

I spend alot of time reading through threads researching info and answers to my questions why is why alot of my questions may seem wierd because I am having difficulty finding where they may have already been addressed. I have seen it metioned in this and other forums that reptiles can transmit Salmonella. I have been researching this to find out 1) Do reptiles actually get sick from it?
and 2) How do they get it themselves?
The reason I am asking is that today my doctor called and my lab test confirm that I have Salmonella poisoning. This explains my sudden two day "purge". I can't say whether or not I got it from the snakes, bad food, or whatever else Salmonella may live on. But I know that I wash my hands alot when handling them, but what about when they crawl up your arm and neck ( did you remember to wash those?) or what about crawling on your bed or computer keyboard?
I've checked my snakes and they don't appear ill. No regurgitations (unlike me) and no loose defecations (unlike me).
If snakes can transmit it but not get sick from it, the only thing I can think is that possibly the rodents from the pet store have the bacteria. And since I'm going to be sitting here all weekend taking Metoclopramide and Dicyclomine, I will have plenty of time to think about this.
And if you think putting snake poo in a bag and taking it to the vet for a fecal exam is bad, try hitting a little cup for your own fecal exam. This is something I prefer not to repeat...


Rob

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

try hitting a little cup for your own fecal exam.


Rob

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Could have gone my whole life without that image in my head..... Thanks A Lot. :puke:

Maybe I need to start taking Chlorhexadine baths as well... :weirdface



Edit to add: Glad I'm not a lab tech... I'll stick with fixing aircraft...

Salmonella is an opportunistic bacteria. If you were to check 100 people for it I believe 90 to 95 would test positive. However, if they are not sick, the bacteria is not harmful. Get sick, start losing fluids and heating up and wham, those little buggers kick into overdrive and make things worse, which is better for them as they are then spread by your various orifici to those around you.

Air will kill salmonella. If you wash something and let it dry, it's pretty much free of that particular bacteria. Not that it can't be reinfected by a cough or sneeze or what have you, but dry is safe.

It's doubtful you got it from your snake unless you're swapping spit or doing other things which are still illegal in many states. Proper hygiene is really all you need to protect yourself, even from a known to be infected snake.

If you eat at ANY restaurants, my bet it that's your source. If you made chicken or ate leftovers, more possibilities, sick friends, etc.

I was just doing some more research on Salmonella and I found out it has a 3-7 day incubation period. Last Friday we had a company family day picnic. Burgers, pork, hot dogs, chicken etc... I gonna say that is the most likely source... I appreciate the responses to how it relates to reptiles... Now I can go kiss my snakes...:rofl:

You are more likely to get it from having a cat litterbox in your house then by a reptile.

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

I was just doing some more research on Salmonella and I found out it has a 3-7 day incubation period. Last Friday we had a company family day picnic. Burgers, pork, hot dogs, chicken etc... I gonna say that is the most likely source... I appreciate the responses to how it relates to reptiles... Now I can go kiss my snakes...:rofl:

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No tongues though, it's that whole spit swapping thing that helps with the bacterial transfer.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

No tongues though, it's that whole spit swapping thing that helps with the bacterial transfer.

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there goes my night. i was thinking bout swapping spit with my red tail. she is a good looking girl...LOL

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

there goes my night. i was thinking bout swapping spit with my red tail. she is a good looking girl...LOL

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Got a thing for Baboons too? They've got that red hiney thing going too.

LOL