I am 4 months pregnant. I also keep reptiles.?

Question

Are there any dangers in this? Also one of our snakes is sick, should i keep away?

Answer 1

i haven't exactly read anything that's really dangerous about being pregnant and having a reptile as a pet.

but i think it was in Dec2003 that the CDC (center for disease control) reported that there are 74,000 cases of Salmonellosis per year associated with exposure to reptiles or amphibians. so it's still risky for a home with a child (5 years and younger) and also to immunocompromised person to have a reptile living with them. though it's not stated in any articles or books that pregnant women are immunocompromised, it's still good to be careful and prevent some disease that might hurt you or your baby.

oh, you could also read some stuffs about other pets, coz cats (especially if you're cleaning their litter box) is dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause toxoplasmosis that can have an effect in your baby.

here are some things that i got from the web about preventing salmonellosis: (by Edward M. Craft)
WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER HANDLING YOUR REPTILE, CLEANING ITS ENCLOSURE OR ENCLOSURE FURNISHINGS.
NEVER CLEAN THE ENCLOSURE IN FOOD PREPARATION AREAS OR EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE WHILE CLEANING.
If you or any member of the household should develop vomiting or diarrhea for more than two days or you suspect that you or any member of the household may have been exposed to Salmonella you should not waste time and contact your family physician right away as Salmonella can be very serious or even cause death in some cases.

i posted some websites that could help you with your problem...
hope it helps...

Answer 2

Yes there is. You could contract salmonella from your reptiles. As for getting sick form a sick reptile, no. You wouldn't get sick from a sick snake. What you want to do is make sure you use antibacterial soap before and after handling any reptile, bird, turtle, whatever lays eggs. Pet stores sell Wipe Out 3 or 4 and it is a hand sanitizer that targets salmonella.

Answer 3

there are two things - salmonelosis (although even if you keep reptiles there is higher probability that you get salmonella from food poisoning than from reptiles (especially if you have already had the particular reptile for some time) I wouldnot buy another reptile, especially wildcaught reptile just to avoid increased risk. statements that you shoul ALWAYS be aware of salmonella risk when handling reptiles are more of a disclaimer than real danger. similar disclaimer could appear on half of the food that we eat every day.

toxoplasmosis and similar parasites. the same situation - you have had the reptiles for some time, already, didint you. the most common way to get toxoplasma is from cats. a lot of people have a history of contact with toxoplasma and they produce antibodies to it. if that is your case, you dont have to worry - maybe you have been checked for anti-toxoplasma antibodies during your lifetime, you can ask your doc about it. if you dont have the antibodies in your system, then i would stay away from cats, especially strays, just in case.

anyway i have a notion these would be more harm during the first threemonths of pregnancy, when the body parts and organs of the baby develop from nothing??

Answer 4

Actaully snakes don't have salmonella in their skin. It's in their faeces. So long as you always wash yours hands carefully after handling, you're okay. If you're bitten be sure to clean the wound thoroughly too.

Answer 5

just use your common sense as most reptiles carry salmonella on there skin just make sure your hygiene standards are high and that if you do hold your pet ensure you use a good anti bacterial handwash don't put your hands near your mouth that way it wont pose a threat to you or you unborn child

Answer 6

You should try to find out what is wrong with the snake but it shouldn't have anything that would hurt you or your baby unless it poisonous. You should rethink having them once the baby comes until he or she is bigger. But that's just me, I am scared to death of a snake.

Answer 7

YOU CAN GET SALMONELLA POISONING FROM HANDLING REPTILES ,BE SURE TO WASH YOUR HANDS CAREFULLY AFTER HANDLING THEM,AND GET YOUR SICK SNAKE TO A VET.

Answer 8

i dont relaly know all iknow with animals and being preg is cat litter but i have two dogs and i have had fine preg so far and im 7 month .. if anythin ask pet store or dr..best luck ..congrates

Answer 9

there is no logic that during prenancy, you should keep away from pets or reptiles.

assuming if your dog, cat, fish is sick should you keep away as well or treat them even better?