Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all

I have just received a most shocking and disturbing phonecall. As some of you may know, I am about 10 weeks pregnant, and this last Monday went in for a prenatal visit and had a full physical, including various blood and urine tests. A midwife at the centre just called me to tell me that I am fine, but have a urinary tract infection (which is not uncommon for pregnant women), but the bacteria that is causing the infection is uncommon, apparently it's Salmonella.
Now, I am a stickler for cleanliness, I am an avid handwasher, before, during and after I handle my animals or their food dishes, furniture, bedding etc. Plus I have had no outright symptoms of Salmonella, mainly diarrhea and/or vomiting. The last major bout of diarrhea I can remember having was over 2 years ago now, and I can't remember having any mysterious episodes of vomiting at all. The only thing that has been plagueing me off and on since I had my son 2 years ago have been UTI's, and that is not entirely uncommon.
They are putting me on some antibiotics immediately, hopefully they will wipe it out. But I am worried, and my midwife didn't know either, but can this possibly have any adverse reaction to my baby? Could it cause birth defects or any other problems? She's tying to get hold of the infectuous disease ppl at the hospital to find out. Do any of you know?
In light of this, I am now also frightened that I may have also contracted coccidia from my lizards/snakes, because that is most likely where the salmonella came from. I had a young beardie die on me earlier this year from an extreme case of coccidiosis, my others have since been treated and I am now using parazap religiously. But what are the chances that I've contracted that too? And what are the risks to my baby if I have?
I am scared and woried to death, can someone please help me?
Thanks, for reading, sorry so long.

You may find some answers at this link, but would need to know the source for sure.
Salmonella

I highly doubt you contracted Salmonella from your reptiles especially if you are very careful about washing hands before and after handling any reptiles and items the reptiles came in contact with, being careful not to touch your mouth, eyeballs or other mucus membrane bearing areas of your body. This also includes not 'kissing' your reptiles or cleaning their things (feed dishes etc) in or around the same place you clean household dishes (ie kitchen sink).

Salmonella also can form on kitchen counter tops if they are not properly cleaned up as well. Even food can contain Salmonella if it isn't cooked completely.

Also if you are concerned having Salmonella may be harmful to your child, I would consult your Pedeatrician and/or your family doctor, then can provide you with answers.

>>I have just received a most shocking and disturbing phonecall. As some of you may know, I am about 10 weeks pregnant, and this last Monday went in for a prenatal visit and had a full physical, including various blood and urine tests. A midwife at the centre just called me to tell me that I am fine, but have a urinary tract infection (which is not uncommon for pregnant women), but the bacteria that is causing the infection is uncommon, apparently it's Salmonella.

My cousin (who do not ever have contact with reptiles) also had a salmonella infection. There are several different strains and many other ways to get it other than the reptiles. Dogs, cats, chickens. Some are a natural occuring gut flora that with slight hormonal changes can grow. I will make a point to contact her this weekend and find out how she got it. It was vaginally located and I do remember talking to her about it. Ill find out where they thought she got it from and email you privatly
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Cindy
PHFaust
Email Cindy
Land of the Outcasts!

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My step-mother had salmonella when she was pregnant, she felt certain it had to be from our reptiles. We had them all (over 100)at the time checked and none had any trace of it. I remember the the Doctor felt the only threat to her was dehydration and not to the baby.

When she had the baby and it was about 5 months old, the baby got it. At this point she was demanding we get rid of all the reptiles and we hid them at a neighbors for several weeks. When the baby got it AGAIN, the health department came out and checked everything..... it was the cat that was the carrier..... the cat went and the reptiles came back

The cat eh? I happen to have 2 cats, one is my baby and hardly ever leaves me alone. I've had him for over 7 years though with no problems, but we have a new one we've only had a year or so, maybe it's him? But I always make my husband change the litter box, been doing so since before my last pregnancy, hehe =)

Well, from what I've found, and from what you guys have said here it could have come from anywhere I guess, theres just no telling because I don't remember having any major bouts of vomiting or diarrhea in the last couple of years, and that was also about when last I had a urine culture done. So there's no telling just how long I've had this. I guess the urinary tract is an uncommon place for it to show up though, the nurse said they were sending my culture off to the state for more testing (NY state).

My main concern is for my baby, and a couple of things I found and the nurse seem to agree with what you say CheriS, that it poses no direct threat to the babe, but if I were to become dehydrated there could be problems. But I'm not actually sick, so I'm HOPING I have nothing to worry about and the antibiotics clear it up quick.

Since it was late on a Friday afternoon when they called and told me I haven't been able to talk to my midwife yet about this, but I will be calling her first thing Monday morning, and I will let you guys know what she says.

TY so much for your posts, means alot and has helped me calm down a bit about it.