I just purchased a leopard gecko for my son. However, now I'm concerned he may get salmonella from handling the gecko. Is this common, should we just return the gecko lizard? I'm afraid the whole family may get infected with salmonella or some other virus.
2007-03-26 15:52:18 · 9 answers · asked by amig 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
As long as you keep the cage clean and wash your hands after holding the gecko it will be fine. I've been raising and breeding leopard geckos for 5 years. If you have any other questions or concerns feel free to email me at brandibear1983@yahoo.com
2007-03-26 16:15:44 · answer #1 · answered by Brandi W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most of the people are correct, over 90% of all reptiles have salmonella. You get salmonella by not practicing proper hygiene. Not to get preachy but I will give you a quick how-to on salmonella.
A reptile carries salmonella in its intestinal tract, when it tracks its feces around the enclosure and gets it all over. When you pick up the water bowl or food bowl or hide or the reptile himself you get the feces on your hands and touch something that touches your mouth you can contract salmonella.
We keep a hand sanitizer that kills 99.99% of germs next to each enclosure. BUT, as I have just found out today, that doesn't stop fungus. So, new rule in our house, having nearly three dozen pets, most of them reptiles two of them dogs, After you use the hand sanitizer you wash your hand with antibacterial soap using lots of running water.
My son has several (6-8) spots of small 1/2 inch rashes on his legs, back, arms, chest and they are a fungus, not ringworm but along those lines. The doc said he probably got them from the dog(s) but simply applying an athlete’s foot cream to them will get rid of them. I am not getting rid of the dogs because of it, and I will not stop him from rolling around on the ground with the dogs outside while playing. The dogs still sleep in his room and so goes life, we just taught him a little better how to wash himself and went over cleanliness. I am sure if you sit your son down and explain that he MUST wash his hands with sanitizer and antibacterial soap after he touches anything in the enclosure or lose the pet he will abide by your rules.
Oh, and he is a kid and a boy at that, he is going to do some disgusting stuff. Make sure he doesn't touch his shirt or clothing or a toy between touching the gecko stuff and washing his hands.
2007-03-26 17:18:04 · answer #2 · answered by boxerowner2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only way you will get Salmonella is if you touch your gecko or somthing in his cage and dont wash your hands. you cant get it just from touching it
2007-03-26 16:05:36 · answer #3 · answered by ♫♪kpguitar_90♫♪ 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no just make sure to 1. do not put the gecko in your mouth 2. do not eat the poop in the cage 3. make sure to wash your hands with an antibacterial handwash after touching the gecko/its cage. try this link for a hand cleaner that prevents disease incl. fungi http://www.flukerfarms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=78 good luck!
2007-03-27 04:10:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is normal with any reptile/amphibian whether it be a snake, frog, geko, or turtle.
you don't have to get rid of the geko, just keep a bottle of hand sanitizer next to the cage and make sure he uses it after handling the geko.
2007-03-26 15:57:09 · answer #5 · answered by Fluffington Cuddlebutts 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if you make sure to keep the gecko's environment clean and instruct your son not to touch the feces or put the gecko in his mouth, then you should be ok.
2007-03-26 15:55:59 · answer #6 · answered by mighty_power7 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no not easily its very rare especially from just handling. i got bit once dont let that steer you away from them it was a very aggresisve male. the other female was very good so the species is still a good pet. at the doctor they said it was very rare to get salmenella from one especially from non wild ones. i almost needeed to get stiiches but i didnt. but tell your son to be care ful and gentle. again dont let me steer you away from them there really cool pets. i only got bit that one time.
2007-03-27 10:49:57 · answer #7 · answered by devin s 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yor lizard probably does have samonella , most reptiles do but there are many strains of it most of them dont affect humans. you should make sure your son practices good hygiene after handling any pet though, hand washing especially
2007-03-26 15:57:33 · answer #8 · answered by rocknrollover76 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
only if you get their poop by your food or if you hold them and don't wash your hands afterwards and go eat something or you put your hands in your mouth. just make sure you wash your hands when you put him away.
all reptiles have salmonella in their GI tract. its just naturally occuring for them.
2007-03-26 15:56:31 · answer #9 · answered by sadlymistaken 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
lol no just use some anti bacteral stuff after handling
2007-03-26 16:13:05 · answer #10 · answered by tiffany 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋