Iguanas can naturally carry salmonella, a bacteria that can cause salmonellosis in humans. It's important that you practice good hygiene so you won't be infected. There are a variety of ways you can get this bacteria from your pet reptile.
Your iguana can get small amounts of stool on himself. This usually occurs on his feet or tail whenever he defecates. The bacteria can then be transferred to you if you touch him in this area. The bacteria may also be left behind in various places that your iguana goes around your home.
Salmonella can take anywhere from six to 72 hours to incubate. After this, you will start to experience a range of symptoms. They include a moderate fever, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. It's also common to experience abdominal cramps and pain. If you're otherwise healthy, you should recover from this condition in a few days. However, salmonellosis can be fatal to infants and people with weakened immune systems.
There are various things you can do to prevent getting salmonella from your iguana. First and foremost, you should always keep your iguana's enclosure as clean as possible. This will go a long way towards preventing the transmission of the bacteria. Just make sure you don't clean the cage in your kitchen because bacteria may be left behind.
It's never a good idea to touch your mouth or eat when handling your iggie. To be on the safe side, you should wash your hands thoroughly with disinfectant soap after you're done working with your pet. You should also know that the bacteria can enter your body through open cuts. Therefore, make sure you don't have any wounds when handling your pet, or you will increase your chances of an infection.
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