Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there anyway to tell if a turtle has salmonella or to eliminate it? I bought something called Reptogaurd that says it helps control salmonella, do you think it works? Please give me as much information on this topic as you can.

I am pretty sure that the stuff you bought is a rip-off. Turtles do not carry salmonella unless they are sick, due to improper housing. If your turtles are CLEAN and healthy then you should not have any problem. Remember, any animal that comes from an egg can carry salmonella, not just reptiles. Bleach will kill it.

Many reptiles are natural carriers of Salmonella bacteria, harboring strains specific to reptiles without any symptoms of disease in the reptile. While it is true that many pets can carry Salmonella, the problem with reptiles (and apparently amphibians) is that they carry Salmonella with such high frequency. It is prudent to assume that all reptiles and amphibians can be a potential source of Salmonella.

no problem just wash your hands well after you pick them up. I have 3 turtles and a tort and never have got sick from them.

>>Many reptiles are natural carriers of Salmonella bacteria, harboring strains specific to reptiles without any symptoms of disease in the reptile. While it is true that many pets can carry Salmonella, the problem with reptiles (and apparently amphibians) is that they carry Salmonella with such high frequency. It is prudent to assume that all reptiles and amphibians can be a potential source of Salmonella.

But what you failed to mention is that clean habitat conditions and washing your hands with Dial soap after handling your turtles or thier equipment basically eliminate the risk or infection to humans.
Possible yes, likely no

Josta,

Any reptile can carry salmonella. A heatlthy animal CAN have it. It may only shed salmonella when stressed, but it is still a carrier. An individual animal can test negative several times before testing positive. It's not a dirty environment that causes salmonella - it's salmonella that causes salmonella! A dirty environment may lead to stress and therefor the shedding of the bacteria. Not all reptiles will have it, but it's just best to assume that they do, and to practice good personal hygiene when you own reptiles.

Katrina

Salmonella is just one of those things you hafta deal with when you own reptiles. Whatever you bought doesn't do squat, you can't control it. Just use good hygiene, wash up after contacting anything reptile and you're good.

I agree, the stuff you bought is useless. Thorough handwashing is the best preventive. You have to ingest the bacteria to get it. Disinfect all surfaces turtles or turtle items touch. I recently got a good article on Salmonella. It's rather lengthy so I didn't think I should post it here. If anyone wants me to email a copy of it to them email and request it at: anitap@caldata.com