2100 Lane Street Kannapolis, NC 28083
Phone 704.932.8111 | Email info@griffinexotics.com

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday – Closed

Reptiles and Salmonella

Salmonella Bacteria and Reptiles
An ARAV Special Publication

Most, if not all, reptiles carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract and intermittently or continuously shed these bacteria in their feces. Salmonella bacteria usually do not cause any illness in reptiles, but can cause serious illness in people.

Salmonella bacteria are easily spread from reptiles to humans. Humans may become infected when they place their hands on objects, including food items, that have been in contact with the stool of reptiles, in their mouths. For example, infants have become infected after drinking from bottles of infant formula that became contaminated during preparation. Individuals who were allowed to walk on kitchen counters. For Salmonella bacteria to spread from reptiles will not result in a spread of the bacteria unless something contaminated with reptile feces or the reptile itself is placed in the mouth.

Most Salmonella infections in humans result in a mild, self-limiting illness characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. However, the infection can spread to the bloodstream, bone marrow or nervous system, leading to severe, and sometimes fatal, illness. Such severe infections are more likely to occurs in infants and in individuals whose immune system is compromised (for instance, bone marrow transplant recipients, persons with diabetes mellitus, persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, and chemotherapy patients).

Unfortunately, Salmonella bacteria cannot be eliminated from the intestinal tract of reptiles. Administration of antibiotics to eliminate these bacteria has been unsuccessful and may result in emergence of Salmonella bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Attempt to raise or identify reptiles that do not carry Salmonella bacteria have also been unsuccessful; therefore, bacterial culture of stool samples in an attempt to identify reptiles that are not carrying Salmonella bacteria is not recommended.

Fortunately the spread of Salmonella bacteria from reptiles to humans can be easily prevented by using the following routine precautions:

Always wash your hands with hot, soapy water after handling reptiles, reptile cages and equipment, and the stool of reptiles.

Do not allow reptiles to have access to the kitchen, dining room, or any other area in which food is prepared. Also, do not allow reptiles to have access to bathroom sinks and tubs or to any area where infants are bathed. Consider keeping your reptiles caged or limiting the parts of the house where reptiles are allowed to roam free. Always wash your hands after coming into contact with any area where reptiles are allowed to roam free.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling reptiles, reptiles cages, or reptile equipment. Do not kiss reptiles or share food or drink with them.

Do not use the kitchen sink, kitchen counters, bathroom sinks or bathtubs to bathe reptiles or to wash reptile cages, dishes or aquariums. Reptile owners may wish to purchase a plastic basin or tub in which to bathe or swim their reptiles. Waste water and fecal material should be disposed of in the toilet instead of the bathtub or household sink.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children less than five years of age avoid contact with reptiles and that households with children less than one year of age not own reptiles. The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians encourages reptile owners with young children to discuss steps to minimize risks associated with owning reptiles with their reptiles’ veterinarian and their physician. Children should be supervised when they are handling reptiles to ensure that they do not place their hands or objects that a reptile has contacted in their mouths. Reptiles should not be kept in child care centers.

Immunocompromised persons should avoid contact with reptiles.

Follow instructions from your reptile’s veterinarian concerning proper diet and environment for your reptile. Healthy reptiles living in proper environments are less likely to shed Salmonella bacteria.

Information in this handout is not meant to discourage reptile ownership. With a few exceptions (for example, infants or immunocompromised individuals), most people have a low risk of acquiring salmonellosis from reptiles, but this risk can be reduced even further by following simple precautions. Reptiles can be safely kept as pets, but reptile owners should be aware of the methods for reducing their risk of acquiring Salmonella bacteria from their reptiles.

This handout was developed by the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is intended for informational purposes only; please seek advice from your physician and your reptile’s veterinarian if questions or problems occur.

FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON BIRD & EXOTIC PETS

We exclusively treat these exotic pets:

  • SMALL MAMMALS
    • rabbits
    • ferrets
    • guinea pigs
    • chinchillas
    • rats
    • hedgehogs
    • hamsters
    • mice
    • gerbils
    • sugar gliders
    • degus 
    • other small rodents
  • BIRDS
    • parrots
    • canaries
    • finches
    • chickens
    • ducks
    • peacocks
  • REPTILES
    • non-venomous snakes
    • lizards
    • turtles
    • tortoises
    • salamanders
    • frogs
    • toads
  • OTHER PETS
    • fish
    • scorpions

We do not see cats (including “Exotic” cats), dogs, farm animals, monkeys, crocodilians, pot bellied pigs, venomous reptiles, dangerous animals as defined by the state (including foxes, skunks, raccoons, etc).

Read More About Us

TESTIMONIALS

I just had my sweet bunny neutered and I feel really good taking my fur friend here. Dr. Edgerton was great and the secretary is so kind and helpful. They called me a day after the procedure to check on him and that means alot.

Diana Fisher
Best exotic pets vets in the local area!

Best exotic pet veterinarian in the local area!

Lan

SOCIAL MEDIA

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HOURS & DIRECTIONS

Monday:            8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday:            8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday:    8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Thursday:          8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday:                 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday:           Closed
Sunday:               Closed

Location and Directions

Griffin Exotics
2100 Lane Street
Kannapolis, NC 28083

Click here for a Google map with directions.

 CURBSIDE APPOINTMENT PROTOCOL

We are doing everything that we can to accommodate as many patients as we can, and this includes continuing to operate curbside (we can see more patients this way)

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. At this time we have decided to continue curbside appointments, which will allow us to stay open so we may continue to provide much needed healthcare to your pets.  Thank you for your understanding.