Are you concerned about salmonella?

[CreatureFeature]

I was watching "Dr.K's Exotic Animal ER" and a vet tech was kissing a ball python. The Dr. said she would never do that because she knows snakes carry salmonella. I then realized I really am not concerned. Idk why. I always wash my hands after handling my snake, but I kiss him, let him explore on my bed (he sometimes goes towards my pillow) and let him slither all over me even after I've showered for the night. I haven't gotten sick so he must be ok.

Do you worry about salmonella at all when handling your BP?

[Eric Alan]

"Enjoy the reptile and remember that good hygenic practices are one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and your reptile from a whole host of infectious diseases." - http://www.peteducation.com/article....7+1796&aid=623

[The Golem]

Not worried but certainly aware, and to me it makes sense and good practice to thoroughly wash hands before and after handling.

[Montypython696]

Coming from someone who's had salmonella twice in his life, I will say that proper hygiene is key. Wash your hands before and after handling/keep purell handy. And in my opinion, its not smart to "snuggle" or kiss your reptiles...

[Stewart_Reptiles]

No but then again I don't kiss anything slithering through it's own feces.

The chances of getting salmonella from reptiles is small, but of course common sense does applies too, like washing your hands.

Personally I would be more worried about chickens



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

[GoingPostal]

No. All my pets are known salmonella carriers and all my animals are raw fed; meat, veggies, rodents also being carriers of bacteria. The snakes are pretty low in the risk totem pole imo. Basic common sense hygiene like washing hands and not making out with your pet are usually enough.

[albinos_rule]

Germ-X before, and after, and in the case of my adult BP who also crawls on my arms, don't forget to do your arms too.

[worthbrown]

Keep in mind that for people with compromised immune systems, salmonella is much more dangerous than "healthy" people. My daughter was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and we had to drastically change how (and if) she handles my snakes. At first, we said absolutely no touching reptiles and after a while, she does hold them, but we are super careful about cleanliness and hand washing. Its not that she is more likely to get salmonella than me, its that for her it is potentially deadly. I'm not willing to take that chance for sure, even though the chance is very, very small.