Can you make a reptile sick?

[nev]

Might be a silly question but, is it possible to spread sickness such as a cold or flu from a human to a reptile? :wacky:

[pythonman]

As far as i am aware, we as mammals can not pass on cold or flu to snakes, however whatever reptile species we keep correct hygiene should always be carried out for ourselves and our captives, as cases of salmonella have been linked from reptiles to humans.
One of the plus points of keeping reptiles as pets is they are not fur or feather so allergies in humans dont exist, just exercise good practices and common sense :)

[infernalis]

No we cannot, There is no documented cases of cold or flu ever crossing over to reptiles from humans.

[Will0W783]

Flu cannot be passed from reptile to human or vice-versa; however, there are reports of snakes that died of encephalitis and testing proved it to be West Nile Virus or a closely-related virus. This is contagious to people, and is often called "Ophidian virus" when found in snakes.

[infernalis]

If a person has West Nile, the snakes are the least of their worries.

[Will0W783]

If a person has West Nile, the snakes are the least of their worries.

This is true. I was just using it as an example of a zoonosis with snakes.

[infernalis]

This is true. I was just using it as an example of a zoonosis with snakes.


I know that Kim, I just couldn't resist saying that. ;)

[nev]

Interesting. I just got my first snake today and its a little baby. I have the flu and was worried that I might be able to pass it along but thats good to know. Thanks!

[Will0W783]

Lol, Wayne!

I do not know of any other diseases a person can give a snake, other than poor husbandry causing the expected fungal infections and RIs. Generally, reptile systems are quite different than mammals' so there is not much that can be spread between them, besides the primitive and easily mutatable retroviruses.