tortoises and botulism??

Mick.Ire · 13-03-2011, 04:16 PM

There was a full page article in the Irish times health section on tue the 8th of march. It told the story of a 3 month old baby who became very I'll to the extent that he was on life support for some time. After a long investigation it was confirmed that the baby contracted botulism from two turtles or turtle food the family kept.

In the article it strongly advises parents not to keep Turtles, Tortoises, Snakes or Lizards around children under 5 years old.

So can torts carry botulism and salmonella (which was also mentioned in the article)?

I'm happy to report that the child made a full recovery.
Mick.

**Bindi** · 13-03-2011, 07:18 PM

I believe that torts can carry salmonella, not sure about botulism, I've not heard that one.

My youngest son was 18 months old when I first got a tort. I didn't find the health issue a threat as neither of my son's were allowed to handle the torts, and only do so now under strict supervision and stringent hand washing with antibacterial soap.

Thank goodness the child is ok now.

I would always urge anyone to carry out strict hygiene proceedures when handling tortoises, their dishes or any of the items or enclosures associated with them

purplelynn · 13-03-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindi

I believe that torts can carry salmonella, not sure about botulism, I've not heard that one.

My youngest son was 18 months old when I first got a tort. I didn't find the health issue a threat as neither of my son's were allowed to handle the torts, and only do so now under strict supervision and stringent hand washing with antibacterial soap.

Thank goodness the child is ok now.

I would always urge anyone to carry out strict hygiene proceedures when handling tortoises, their dishes or any of the items or enclosures associated with them

I agree

Surely common sense should prevail as with handling all animals - good hygiene is essential at all times.

wigwamman · 13-03-2011, 08:40 PM

its not the animals fault that the parents are dirty gits.
i would'nt like them serving me food,god forbid!!

**16 shells** · 13-03-2011, 08:54 PM

Reading a bit dated about four years old information, infant Botulism there were only 8 cases in 29 years.
http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/en...ticle/botulism

Pussygalore · 13-03-2011, 10:00 PM

turtles are dirty animals simply because of what they eat and their water even with the best of filters need good hand washing afterwards I also think that the same applies to fish tanks both need bacteria to make the filters work properly. Its just common sense to cover cuts and wash hands well but that applies to most animals and all reptiles carry salmonella its something I always tell any prospective owners and don't mind if they change their minds about having a tort. To be honest theres very few animals that wouldn't be a health risk to a baby who's immune system hasn't matured yet, I think there's another 'nasty' that can be caught from birds/parrots.

Mick.Ire · 14-03-2011, 10:10 PM

Thanks everyone. Good hygene is always clever practice when dealing with any pets. Was just wondering if anyone had ever come across any literature connecting tortoises with botulism? This article has painted tortoises in a very bad light and was just wondering if it's justified.

Pussygalore · 15-03-2011, 11:04 AM

if botulism can be found in soil then I suppose the tort could carry it simply from its habitat, I know we used to feed soilage to the horses and the bales had to be tested for it at least for horse use not sure about cattle so it can obviously be in 'fermented' grass. Having said that I use pro rep tortoise life substrate which I assume is sterilised so would be clean however top soil or garden soil wouldn't be but again its just common sense ie don't suck your thumb after handling your tort.

**Alan1** · 15-03-2011, 12:22 PM

is it not the case that botulism would develop from the salmonella in the first place?

I was once going to make my own chilli oil with a chilli pepper and a bottle of oil but after looking up on tinternet I discovered that doing it wrong could lead to you getting botulism so I ditched the idea

It has to be heated to a specific temperature to kill the bacteria that can lead to botulism

13-03-2011, 04:16 PM	#1
Mick.Ire Member Hatched Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Co.Kildare, Ireland Posts: 371	tortoises and botulism?? There was a full page article in the Irish times health section on tue the 8th of march. It told the story of a 3 month old baby who became very I'll to the extent that he was on life support for some time. After a long investigation it was confirmed that the baby contracted botulism from two turtles or turtle food the family kept. In the article it strongly advises parents not to keep Turtles, Tortoises, Snakes or Lizards around children under 5 years old. So can torts carry botulism and salmonella (which was also mentioned in the article)? I'm happy to report that the child made a full recovery. Mick. __________________ 1.3.2 Leopard's, 1.2.0 Sulcata's, 1.3.0 THH 1.5.5 Hinge-backs, 1.0.0 Yellow Foot, 1.0.0 Indian Star 0.1.0 Pancake.

13-03-2011, 07:18 PM	#2
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	I believe that torts can carry salmonella, not sure about botulism, I've not heard that one. My youngest son was 18 months old when I first got a tort. I didn't find the health issue a threat as neither of my son's were allowed to handle the torts, and only do so now under strict supervision and stringent hand washing with antibacterial soap. Thank goodness the child is ok now. I would always urge anyone to carry out strict hygiene proceedures when handling tortoises, their dishes or any of the items or enclosures associated with them __________________

13-03-2011, 08:54 PM	#5
16 shells Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hull Posts: 7,286	Reading a bit dated about four years old information, infant Botulism there were only 8 cases in 29 years. http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/en...ticle/botulism __________________ Paul.

14-03-2011, 10:10 PM	#7
Mick.Ire Member Hatched Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Co.Kildare, Ireland Posts: 371	Thanks everyone. Good hygene is always clever practice when dealing with any pets. Was just wondering if anyone had ever come across any literature connecting tortoises with botulism? This article has painted tortoises in a very bad light and was just wondering if it's justified. __________________ 1.3.2 Leopard's, 1.2.0 Sulcata's, 1.3.0 THH 1.5.5 Hinge-backs, 1.0.0 Yellow Foot, 1.0.0 Indian Star 0.1.0 Pancake.

13-03-2011, 08:40 PM	#4
wigwamman Member Juvenile Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: west midlands Posts: 800	its not the animals fault that the parents are dirty gits. i would'nt like them serving me food,god forbid!!

13-03-2011, 10:00 PM	#6
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	turtles are dirty animals simply because of what they eat and their water even with the best of filters need good hand washing afterwards I also think that the same applies to fish tanks both need bacteria to make the filters work properly. Its just common sense to cover cuts and wash hands well but that applies to most animals and all reptiles carry salmonella its something I always tell any prospective owners and don't mind if they change their minds about having a tort. To be honest theres very few animals that wouldn't be a health risk to a baby who's immune system hasn't matured yet, I think there's another 'nasty' that can be caught from birds/parrots.

15-03-2011, 11:04 AM	#8
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	if botulism can be found in soil then I suppose the tort could carry it simply from its habitat, I know we used to feed soilage to the horses and the bales had to be tested for it at least for horse use not sure about cattle so it can obviously be in 'fermented' grass. Having said that I use pro rep tortoise life substrate which I assume is sterilised so would be clean however top soil or garden soil wouldn't be but again its just common sense ie don't suck your thumb after handling your tort.

15-03-2011, 12:22 PM	#9
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	is it not the case that botulism would develop from the salmonella in the first place? I was once going to make my own chilli oil with a chilli pepper and a bottle of oil but after looking up on tinternet I discovered that doing it wrong could lead to you getting botulism so I ditched the idea It has to be heated to a specific temperature to kill the bacteria that can lead to botulism

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