Human Pregnancy/Owning Iguanas
Karl Rosander
This may have been asked before.....
I am a new Iguana owner and my wife is pregnant. Are there any known
problems associated with owning an Iguana and Human pregnancy?
Our doctor didn't know and said my wife should not handle the Iguana at
all. Is this accurate?
Please answer here or email me at fes...@pacbell.net
Thank you in advance for your help!
Karl Rosander
Sacramento, CA
Shawn Fay
I think i read that their is a test to tell if your reptile is carrying
salmonella.i think it was pricy but worth it for peace of mind.is it true
that their is a test and if the igg tests ok how do iggs get salmonella to
begin with?
Shawn Fay Alternative Appliance Sls & Srvs
Regal Reptiles Taunton MA Providance RI
685 N.Main st 1(800)649-1973
Providance RI Rebuilt & Guaranteed Appliances
Melissa Kaplan
Karl,
There are several articles on Salmonella and reptile ownership
in general, and iguanas in particular, in the Salmonella cluster
of articles at my iguana care page.
Good luck!
--
Melissa Kaplan | mel...@sonic.net
Iguana Care: http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/ig_care.html
Herp Societies/Vets: http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/society.html
Other Herp Care/Educators Info: http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/
CFS/ME: http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/cfs_main.html
Melissa Kaplan
> Yvette Ferry wrote:
> > Your doctor is probably trying to be on the safe side, and that's OK by me.
> > While your wife is pregnant, she is technically considered
> > immunocompromised.
I think the concern is not that the mother may or may
not be immunocompromised but Salmonella can be passed
from the mother to the fetus and thus compromise
the developing baby. Also, infants are most susceptible
to all infections due to their similarly neonate immune
system, and many strains of Salmonella carried by reptiles
*and other animals* can cause fatal dehydration (through
vomiting and diarrhea) in babies.
RSC Geology
Melissa Kaplan wrote:
>
> I think the concern is not that the mother may or may
> not be immunocompromised but Salmonella can be passed
> from the mother to the fetus and thus compromise
> the developing baby. Also, infants are most susceptible
> to all infections due to their similarly neonate immune
> system, and many strains of Salmonella carried by reptiles
> *and other animals* can cause fatal dehydration (through
> vomiting and diarrhea) in babies.
>
The developing immune system of infants does get a boost if the mother
breastfeeds, since she then passes antibodies on to the child (gotta
put that in since I'm married to someone with strong opinions on the
topic)
I bought my first iguana when my wife was in the early stages of
pregnancy (and we have had another child since then) and have had no
herp related health problems. I was certainly aware of Salmonella
when we bought my ig, but did not know about the CDC guidelines (I
don't think they were issued at that point). I have always practiced
what I consider to be common-sense hygene and my kids have been
remarkably healthy. However since you are dealing with potentially
catastophic consequences, divesting yourself of herps for a couple of
years is a reasonable option to be considered, IMO.
As an aside (and not just to raise MK's blood pressure), one of the
baby books I read recommended iguanas as the first pet for a
baby/toddler. I remember the suggestion that you let the iguana roam
freely, live on a shelf in the kids room, and use a twisted towel as a
ladder to climb up and down. (How many potential disasters does that
scenario invite?)
Phil Hughes
paul kaufman
Melissa Kaplan wrote:
>
> > Yvette Ferry wrote:
>
> > > Your doctor is probably trying to be on the safe side, and that's OK by me.
> > > While your wife is pregnant, she is technically considered
> > > immunocompromised.
>
> not be immunocompromised but Salmonella can be passed
> from the mother to the fetus and thus compromise
> the developing baby. Also, infants are most susceptible
> to all infections due to their similarly neonate immune
> system, and many strains of Salmonella carried by reptiles
> *and other animals* can cause fatal dehydration (through
> vomiting and diarrhea) in babies.
>
> Melissa Kaplan | mel...@sonic.net
> Iguana Care: http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/ig_care.html
> Herp Societies/Vets: http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/society.html
> Other Herp Care/Educators Info: http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/
> CFS/ME: http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/cfs_main.html
and neonatology. Fetuses and newborn infants do have impaired immunity
compared to adults and older children but I don't know if that applies
to Salmonella. Congenital Salmonella (transmitted to the fetus before
birth) must be exceedingly rare; I have never seen it or read about it.
Small infants are at greater risk from Salmonella infection by virtue of
their smaller size and easier tendency to get dehydrated from diarrhea.
Persons with sickle cell anemia are unusually susceptible to Salmonella
infections in unusual places such as bone infections. Pregnant women do
have some impaired immunity and a decreased ability to handle a few
specific infections such as E. Coli septicemia. As far as I know
pregnant women have no immune deficit with respect to Salmonella. In my
opinion there is no reason why homes with pregnant women and small
children cannot have reptiles as long as common sense hygeine is
maintained.
Paul Kaufman, M.D., J.D.