I recently purchased a Russian Tortoise. Everyone in my family is extremely dillegent about washing their hands after handling her. But I was wondering if anyone has ever had problems with their tortoise and salmonella? I've heard iguanas and turtles are the worst for carrying it. What about tortoises?
2007-12-26 03:14:16 · 0 answers · asked by RooneyFan89 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Torts are just as likely to carry salmonella as any other reptile. HOWEVER!! If you have a strong immune system there is a distinct chance that you may never get sick from it even if your animal is infected. The people who have the biggest risk of becoming ill are children under 5 because their natural immune defenses are not fully developed and the elderly or those with auto-immune deficiencies because they're immune system has broken down. The chances of a healthy adult getting sick is pretty slim. Our defenses work to fight the illness and we're not even aware of it.
It's still a good idea to use good hygiene yourself. You could spread the bacteria to a doorknob or other such object - and if someone comes up behind you and places a hand on the possibly infected doorknob and their immunity is compromised - they could get sick.
P.S. - It doesn't take licking the feces of an infected animal to get sick. It is as easy as a doorknob to those who have little or no defense.
EDIT:
Torts are JUST as likely to carry it. The difference between water turtles and torts - water turtles swim in feces contaminated water - torts do not. The salmonella will be concentrated in the areas of the body that would come in contact with the poop. This means turtles can literally be covered in the bacteria while torts may just have it on the bottom of their shell and soles of their feet. UVB does nothing for salmonella. UVC - however - can. This is a sterilizing UV and will kill any bacteria...but harmful to our pets.
2007-12-26 09:21:05 · answer #1 · answered by prism_wolf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tortoise Salmonella
2016-11-10 11:06:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can heve him tested. But to be honest with you, I think you would litterally have to lick the animals feces to contract it. You should wash your hands after touching any animals really. Especially if you have small children. When I was little I lived with many turtles and probably forgot to wash my hands a lot more than not. I dont fret about it. If it was captive bred, born, and raised, than most likely will not be a carrier. However, russians are almost always wild-caught, expecially if you got him at a pet shop.
2007-12-26 05:20:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep this in perspective. Cooked, room temp eggs and chicken are the most likely carriers.
Amongst turtles, those that live in soiled water are the riskiest. Tortoises are unlikely to carry it- even less likely if kept clean and well-cared for or kept in a spacious outdoor pen. UVB lighting helps as well.
2007-12-26 15:43:36 · answer #4 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-04-04 23:57:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
all animals can transmit salmonella you shud definetly wash your hand after touching it
2007-12-26 06:43:55 · answer #6 · answered by ???? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a simple test at the vet will give you the answer
and a link for you
http://russiantortoise.net/selecting_a_tortoise.htm
2007-12-26 03:38:59 · answer #7 · answered by hein 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋