Salmonella in turtles...?

Question

I have a few questions.

1. What causes Salmonella in turtles?

2. How common is Salmonella in turtles that are about one centimeter short of four inches?

3. Is there anyway you can prevent Salmonella in turtles?

4. How can we prevent humans from being infected by Salmonella from pet turtles?

Thank you! =]

Answer 1

Salmonella is a naturally occurring bacteria on turtles. Every species in the world has bacteria on them which does not harm them. This is true for turtles. Turtles are entirely immune to salmonella... it is humans who must watch out. Any attempt to destroy salmonella on the turtle could prove fatal.

Believe it or not, salmonella is just as common on turtles of all sizes. The size restriction was out of fear of children putting the salmonella containing turtles in their mouths and handling them too often.

It is best to simply not handle your turtle too often (more for their health than yours) and whenever you come in contact with the turtle or their environment to wash your hands and use antibacterial soap.  

Answer 2

1. The presence of Salmonella germs in their food or water will cause them to carry take in the germs and then shed them later. Most wild-caught pet store turtles were caught in human waste settling ponds.

The most common problem is that most water turtles today are kept in unsanitary conditions- poor filtration, etc.

2. Salmonella is common in ANY turtle that lives in contaminated water. Strong filtration with a good biological element is needed to remove the f***s and germs.

3. Strong filtration, big tanks, good hygiene, good overall cares... UV lighting may also help.

4. Wash your hands after touching the turtle or turtle water. Salmonella is an easy germ to catch (you've had it before and called it a 24 hour bug or stomach flu) and most of us catch it from room temp eggs or chicken, or from touching an infected surface in a bathroom, etc.

Fewer than 100 people (estimated) will get Salmonella in the US from their turtle this year. Hundreds of thousands (estimated) will get it from other sources.

Unless you are very young, very old, immune compromised, or get one of the really bad versions (very rare), Salmonella is a 24-48 hour long attack of cramps, vomiting and diarrhea that you will probably blame on something else- but flus and colds don't do that combination of symptoms.

Answer 3

one of 57 types of viruses.

I think about 85% of turtles have oneof the 57 types. Your turtle is illegal. The shell must be at least 4 inches.

Turtles only carry it they don't contract it.

Wash your hands.

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/TurtlesSalmo...

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?...

Answer 4

Always wash your hands after touching them.

and keep the tank as clean as possible.

And to the answer below me about them being illegal, they are not illegal if you bought them for "educational Purposes"

thats the loophole in the law