Question:-How big of a concern is this?
-How is it spread?
-Is it contained in the animals saliva?
-How much should you wash your hands afterwards?
-Is alcolhol hand sanitizer clean good enough?
Answers:
Most animals don't carry salmonella in the saliva. Many reptiles do though. They often have a wide range of bacterial flora in their mouths. And yes, in their feces as well. As a rule, I never allow my lizards on the table or counters and I sterilze them every day. Any time I handle them I wash my hands and if I get bitten, I always wash the bite with soap and water. It's just common sense. I personally don't recommend alcohol hand sanitizer. Not that it doesn't work, but I think it's too harsh on the hands. I just use plain old soap and water. Good rule of thumb for how long...sing the entire Happy Birthday song.
Other Answers:
I believe you are talking about SALMONELLA !? I have never heard of salomana and nothing comes up in my research. I did however, get a degree in microbiology and Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped Gram-negative enterobacteria that causes typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever and foodborne illness. It is motile in nature and produces hydrogen sulfide.
CONCERNS - VERY BIG causes thyphoid fever - Typhoid kills
SPREADS - Animal to Human transfer is through pet feces (poop). If you touch or collect dog feces during a walk wash hands with soap and water thoroughly and as soon as possible. It grows and spreads as any other bacteria but is found mainly in poultry and eggs (as well as other meats) that is why it is important that meat is cooked completely and stored properly. Bacteria transfer due to improper washing after contact.
Not found in saliva - transfer via feces as the bacterium is found and thrives in the intestines. The HCl in the stomach would kill it before it backtracks to the mouth of the pet.
Hand washing should be with an antibacterial soap for a minimum of 30 seconds.
Alcohol will kill almost every bacterium known to man but is most efective in a 5% concentration not full strength. You need not wash with alcohol hand sanitizer too often as the alcohol content dries out skin. Dry skin cracks and leaves your natual defences in a compromised position.
There are tons of great web sites about Salmonella ... here's one dedicated to pets and Salmonella:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/salmonellosis.htm
and one that gives more detail about symptoms:
http://www.anarac.com/salmonella_infection.htm
I hope this helped you ... hope the pet gets better
I had it when I was little and it almost killed me. We think it came from one of our many reptiles. It is spread by contact with the feces of an animal that carries the bacteria. Since animals can have amounts of feces and the bacteria on them so small that they cannot be seen, you cannot ever assume that you don't have to wash your hands. It is recommended that you wash your hands with soap and running water immediately after touching the animal, their cage, their toys, etc. Don't ever put the animal on your face - or touch them and then touch your face before washing your hands. See the link.
I have a hedgehog and apparently the salmonella is in the saliva... All I know is to wash hands. I knew a guy that had a newt and it carried salmonella, and he just washed his hands and didn't touch his face or doorknobs or anything until he washed. Hope that helps;)
More Questions & Answers...
- What should i name my baby bunnies?
- Does anyone know of where I can get horses in Alabama? Or when horse shows are coming up in Alabama?
- can i brush my guinea pig or will it hurt them. i was scratcching my friend's pet y did it give off a scream?!
- horse people, I bought a horse with a protruding sclera (3rd eyelid), any cosmetic procedures possible to fix?
- cancer mouse?
- Is a zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes or purple with pink polk dots! LOL?