Bearded Dragons, Salmonella, and You

Bearded Dragons, Salmonella, and You

(Carr, 2009), (Obolton, 2006)

Bearded dragons are known as one of the better reptiles to have as a pet due to their docile nature toward humans ("Reptile Guide," n.d.). Despite their compatibility with us, bearded dragons are still capable of doing harm by spreading communicable diseases. If you are interested in acquiring a bearded dragon of your own, it is important to be informed about Salmonella and how to reduce your exposure to this germ.

ABOUT SALMONELLA

The Salmonella bacteria can live in the intestinal tract of various animals. This strain of bacteria is what causes the infectious disease called Salmonellosis; it is considered a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be spread from animals to humans. ("Zoonotic Disease," 2014) This infection mainly interrupts your digestive system by causing abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and fever. Infants, elderly people, and those with vulnerable immune systems can be susceptible to worse symptoms that could be life threatening without proper medical care.

HOW YOU CAN GET IT

Salmonella is capable of surviving outside of a carrier host for weeks at a time. There was a case reported in 2001 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claiming a 3 month infant indirectly contracted Salmonellosis from her father's clothing after he had handled a snake in his classroom at school earlier that same day. ("Reptile-Associated", 2003) Understanding that Salmonella is spread through physical contact helps us take proper measures to keep it under control while caring for a bearded dragon.

PROTECTING FROM SALMONELLOSIS

•  Wash your hands after handling your bearded dragons; use disinfecting sanitizers if soap and running water is unavailable.
• Wash any clothing or surfaces that the bearded dragon might have come in contact with
•  Keep people with high risk of infection away from your pet and its habitat, food, and accessories.
•  Clean your pet's habitat outside of your residence to control potential contamination to other living areas. If you do your cleaning inside a bathtub or shower, properly disinfect the area immediately afterwards.
• Be sure to not eat and drink around your bearded dragon, it's habitat and items, or anywhere your pet might have been on.
• Handle your pet's water and food separately from where you commonly prepare your own food, such as your kitchen sink or counter top.

Sources

• Carr, J. H. (2009). ID# 10983 [Image]. Retrieved from http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/details.asp?pid=10983
• Obolton. (2006). Bearded Dragon showing beard [Image]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bearded_Dragon_showing_beard.jpg
• Reptile Guide :: Iguanas & Other Lizards: Animal Planet. (n.d.). Animal Planet. Retrieved from http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/other-pets/beardeddragon.htm
• Zoonotic Disease: When Humans and Animals Intersect. (2014, March 19). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved , from http://www.cdc.gov/24-7/cdcfastfacts/zoonotic.html
• Beuchat, L. R., & Heaton, E. K. (1975). Salmonella survival on pecans as influenced by processing and storage conditions. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 29(6), 795-801. Retrieved from http://aem.asm.org/content/29/6/795.abstract
• Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis --- Selected States, 1998--2002. (2003, December 12). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5249a3.htm
• Reptiles, Amphibians, and Salmonella. (2013, November 25). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SalmonellaFrogTurtle/

Guest blog written by rafadaf