Marshall
Turtle Keeper + CPL(H)
Salmonella
This turtle tip is really more of an answer to a common question and is one of the most important you will need to know if you have a pet turtle.
Salmonella is a gram-negative bacteria found in warm and cold blooded animals and also in some plants. Aquatic turtles are known carriers with some species averaging 85% infection rates. Although it is unlikely that the bacteria will have any impact on your pet turtle it can definitely cause serious problems for the pet owner and others who may handle the turtle especially young children. The question I get most often is how to prevent or get rid of the bacteria from your turtle and the answer is you really can't get rid of it. There are treatments that will kill the bacteria but due to the fact it will come back means you would have to treat the turtle so often that the treatment itself would become toxic to the turtle. The proper way to deal with the bacteria is through safe handling and habitat maintenance. You should do a 50% water change in the terrarium at least biweekly and a 100% change and tank clean every 30 - 45 days minimum but every 15 - 20 days is much better. Whenever you handle the turtle wash your hands immediately after and if you have cuts or scrapes on the hand wear a glove or don't touch at all. Young children should be supervised when handling the turtle and they must not be allowed to put their hands near their face until hands have been washed. The amount of bacteria is higher in young turtles especially hatchlings & juveniles up to 4" . As always if you have questions about this topic or any other question about turtles you can use the contact options or the help & info resources at www.msatr.org website.
This turtle tip is really more of an answer to a common question and is one of the most important you will need to know if you have a pet turtle.
Salmonella is a gram-negative bacteria found in warm and cold blooded animals and also in some plants. Aquatic turtles are known carriers with some species averaging 85% infection rates. Although it is unlikely that the bacteria will have any impact on your pet turtle it can definitely cause serious problems for the pet owner and others who may handle the turtle especially young children. The question I get most often is how to prevent or get rid of the bacteria from your turtle and the answer is you really can't get rid of it. There are treatments that will kill the bacteria but due to the fact it will come back means you would have to treat the turtle so often that the treatment itself would become toxic to the turtle. The proper way to deal with the bacteria is through safe handling and habitat maintenance. You should do a 50% water change in the terrarium at least biweekly and a 100% change and tank clean every 30 - 45 days minimum but every 15 - 20 days is much better. Whenever you handle the turtle wash your hands immediately after and if you have cuts or scrapes on the hand wear a glove or don't touch at all. Young children should be supervised when handling the turtle and they must not be allowed to put their hands near their face until hands have been washed. The amount of bacteria is higher in young turtles especially hatchlings & juveniles up to 4" . As always if you have questions about this topic or any other question about turtles you can use the contact options or the help & info resources at www.msatr.org website.
