Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I was giving my snake a shot for his RI, when we put the needle in he jerked up and the needle came out and I stuck myself. I cleaned with proxide and then after we gave the shot cleaned with al key hal. Has any one done this and is there health risk?
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

No real health risk except for the typical skin infection and tetanus risk associated with any puncture. I've done it before with cats and horses. Once I was pushing meds through an IV cath with a huge 18 gauge needle. The dog jerked and the needle slipped and went right through my thumb. Now that's an owie! When I worked in the human health field I was much, much more careful.

I always keep my tetanus up to date and I would keep the area clean and watch for signs of infection.

In this situation, I would not say that you are completely risk-free. In addition to tetanus and the typical skin infections associated with a puncture, you would also have the remote chance of contracting salonella.

I spoke to a vet that specializes in treating reptiles and she confirmed my suspicions.

If the animal is carrying salmonella bacteria, you can transmit from reptile to human. The incubation period for salmonella is 72 hours. If you are not showing any signs by then, chances are you didn't contract it.

In general, salmonella symptoms begin with nausea and vomiting and progress to abdominal pains and diarrhea. Additional signs and symptoms include fever, chills and muscle pains, and can last anywhere from several days to two weeks. RI's are specie specific and can not be transmitted.

I hope this helps.

Michelle

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Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com

Well, ya got one on me there. That's probably the only reptile related mistake I haven't made, YET, but give me a lil' bit more time and it'll probably happen.

The good thing about Salmonella is that most people recover on their own, without medical treatment. I suppose it depends on how bad the symptoms are. If I'm not mistaken I believe that most severe cases usually involve young children & the elderly.

I'm not saying that you are, but try not to worry about it as worryin' won't change a thing. However, when in doubt, seek professional medical attention. Do a search on "Salmonella" and readup on it and go from there.

Now, if you start growing scales and your tongue turns forked, call me and I'll be your publicist. I'll take good care of ya.

(Dang, HH, can't you be serious for one whole minute?!) Ahh, but you know that I'm just trying to lighten the mood, ease any fears.

Hang in there and keep us posted.

Catch ya later!
Mike
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Well, it was my wife who stuck herself while I was holding the snake. I called the vet today and she said it would be OK just clean it, but to call the DR. This is where it gets crazy. So my wife called the DR's office. Some how the person on the phone kept thinking she got bit. She kept telling her no, I did not get bit. Then she asked what was in the needle, so she told her, cezahphlaldslksd (somthing like that). Then the girl said well we need to see you. She was not current on her Tetnis shots, so that was a concern of hers. Because they said even though the needle was new it was in the snake.

So we went and saw the Dr. On the board it said Snake bite, in the room, ahahahaha, she again kept saying it was not a bite. So the Dr finally gets in the room and asks what happened. And since he thought it was a bite, was going to just let her go. Then he read the notes and saw, and said to be on the safe side they gave her a tentis shot and some medication if she needs it. So to make a long story short, had she been current on her tetnus shot, there would have been nothing to do.

So when you run into this issue, thats what happened.

I did tease my wife and say she was going to get her super powers now, but would most likley be a villian. I am waiting for the weird powers, I told her to flicker her tounge and tell me how cold it was outside, ahahhahaha. I should be slapped for that.

Thanks for everyone who posted, and I hope nothing else happens but if it does I will let you know.
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

HA! don't you love how people listen?!

speaking of growing scales and getting a forked tongue... i have scale tattoos- BURM scales at that!! ... i wish i had a forked tongue-- i'm not cutting my tongue though...

i've had salmonella 3 times- twice while pregnant- once per kid... the other time was when i already had the flu just a few weeks ago- went into the urgent care clinic and they told me i had flu AND salmonella- it was horrible...

anyway- hope she doesn't get sick- its not fun- but not that bad..

and i've stuck myself with more needles than i can count- dog/cat/reptile/everything!

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

I am glad to hear that everything seems to be ok.

You can never be too careful, in my opinion.

Take care.

Michelle
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Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com

Ahh, bless her heart; sounds like she's been thru enough already, especially you & your wisecracks. Ha! Ha!

Hopefully that'll all be the worst of it and she'll be fine.

If during the night you feel somethin' cold coilin' 'round your neck, get out of bed, quick.

I sent you a message Sunday and it bounced back just a few hours ago. Contact me to let me know how to get it to ya.

Take good care of that woman of yours!

Later!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Jeff,
How is your wife doing? Any illness, other than from having to put up with you? Haha!

She was on my mind so I figured I'd check with ya.

Later!
Mike
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Thanks for asking. She is fine. No sickness. Just has a soar arm from the shot.

Thanks again for your help and asking.
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

I jabbed myself before, didn't clean it nearly as much as you did, and I'm still kicking.