Salmonella!

[Zoo Nanny]

I'm happy to read that your little one is doing better. A very nasty sickness.
Heidelberg is found frequently with poultry and eggs. I was reading about it recently and was surprised to find out that the bacteria is able to survive for weeks outside of a host and can also be found in dust.

[Toothless]

Thanks for the info everyone .
I did some reading as well and from what I've read its most commonly found in poultry and commercial/ raw cat and dog food. I wasn't able to find anything linking that particular 'type' to reptiles.
I'm thinking the most likely sources were either the frozen chicks for the lizard, the formula (hope not), or the cat's food. The cats don't seem sick at all though... I'd wager a guess that it came from the chicks.
We didn't eat eggs, chicken, beef etc. at all the week before and were house-ridden for 3 days before he got sick as my older son had the flu. Whatever the source is, it definately came from inside the house.

The IDC said they don't do testing, but is reporting the incident to the FDA so they can look into the formula and make sure its not contaminated. I'm going to see if the Agriculture College in the area can test the chicks. May seem like I'm over-analyzing everything, but it would make me feel better to know where it came from .
I'm definately learning alot about salmonella lol! All I knew before was that you could get it from meat/ reptiles and to wash your hands and cook meat good.

[Toothless]

Originally Posted by Zoo Nanny

I'm happy to read that your little one is doing better. A very nasty sickness.
Heidelberg is found frequently with poultry and eggs. I was reading about it recently and was surprised to find out that the bacteria is able to survive for weeks outside of a host and can also be found in dust.

Thanks for that . We did have eggs a few weeks ago, but the counter was washed afterwards- still a possible source though. I've read its found in the shells. Also read about the dust thing...very interesting.

[MDT]

You can call up the lab tech that implied you should get rid of your reptiles and say "bite me"

[Toothless]

BAHA!! If I wasn't so non-confrontational I probably would. The hub says I'm too much of a push-over. lol

After thinking a bit more, should the chicks be reported to the FDA as well? They were purchased as 'meat birds' for human consumption. I know the CDC reports outbreaks in live chickens.

[Starbuck]

it could be the cat food, most animals have stronger GI immunity than humans do, let alone a baby. You might want to keep that on the table as a potential source.

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by Starbuck

it could be the cat food, most animals have stronger GI immunity than humans do, let alone a baby. You might want to keep that on the table as a potential source.

This. Just because the cats aren't sick doesn't mean it isn't there.

[MDT]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

This. Just because the cats aren't sick doesn't mean it isn't there.

Yes, def....the animal is the carrier, the bacteria is not pathogenic to them. People?.....Now that's where the bloody diarrhea comes into play.

[Toothless]

I did save some of the cat's food once I found out it was a possible source . I figured they would be sick if it was in the food- thank you guys for the clarification.