I am surprised that the CDC even notices a salmonella "outbreak" of 11 people in 8 separate states.
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And for God's (and all of our's) sake vaccinate your kids against MEASLES Washington State and everywhere!
Measles - very, very, very bad for your kids and you,
8
Something seriously wrong with those who "kiss" animals...
1
Don’t kiss you pet porcupine either. I’ll never make THAT mistake again.
25
Why?! Why have one in the first place, it's like a rat that overdid it with the hair gel. Do those beady little eyes say "kiss me"? No, they say touch me and get a horrible disease. Gross.
6
What about our pet fozes?, ask Archilochus and Isaiah Berlin.
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@Scott Lahti
Foxes, drat!, not "fozes":
https://www.google.com/search?&q=hedgehog+fox
3
The little critters are expensive and there are even boarding and grooming services for them. This is way beyond hamster and white mice level.
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For a minute I thought maybe there could be an article about salmonella infection without the obligatory blaming of pet reptiles. I was wrong.
I have had pet turtles and tortoises since I was a kid. I have had my oldest tortoises for 33 and 34 years. They are healthier than I am. I breed Redfoot tortoises. I take the tortoises to the vet for annual check-ups, and whenever they are sick. The exam includes a stool sample tested for intestinal parasites.
Salmonella is a bacteria of decay that lives in the intestines of animals. It doesn't normally live in turtles' intestines; it's an infection for them, too. But their symptoms aren't as severe as the infection in humans. Reptiles become infected by exposure to sick reptiles, and by eating something with the bacteria. A pet reptile is easily cured of a salmonella infection with a course of tetracycline antibiotic.
There are two issues here; one is animal husbandry and the other is good human hygiene practices. Take your pets to the vet and have them tested and treated. Wash your hands well with soap after handing any animal, before eating, and after you use the toilet.
Poop is poop; it doesn't matter whose poop it is.
8
For a similar reason, don't touch your pet Armadillo, or you'll get Hansen's disease. Just stick with varmints that humans have a long history with, like boring dogs and cats.
3
But how will the hedgehogs know they are loved?
In all seriousness, it's instructive that no one has yet posted a comment on this story. Will no one admit to kissing a hedgehog? To sleeping with one? C'mon, people! There is no shame in loving a hedgehog. I have to admit, they're pretty cute!
13
Don't keep hedgehogs as pets! What's wrong with you?
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Are we not at a point where raising, selling and owning non-native species, both plants and animals, hasn't proven to be simply wrongheaded on every level?
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Well, just look at how cute they are. How can one resist?
8
Why hedgehogs or other non-native pet species are not a good idea.
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/living-with-wildlife/restricted-pet-species
7
How did hedgehogs get into this country in the first place? They are not indigenous here. Did they come in legally? Have any been released in the wild here? Are hedgehog breeders regulated? They're cute, but I can't imagine having one for a pet.
3
@Hedge
Maybe they snuck in from Mexico—in someone's pocket...
9
@Hedge Tunnel from Canada.
10
How about “don’t have a pet hedgehog”?
That would be a better title.
33
Ohhh. Why can't I kiss hedgie?
4
These creatures belong in the wild and not someone's house or apartment. Next time, try a cat, a dog, a parakeet or a goldfish.
14
Your solution is a caged bird? Parakeets like the ones we have as “pets” actually come from the Australian outback and live in trees. In flocks.
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