Handling reptiles with hep C

[kittyluvr]

Hi,
My question has to do with reptiles, and if it is okay to handle them, if you wash up immediately, and well.
I've been diagnosed for about 10 yrs, and only in the past few years has it been an issue.
I recently came into the posession of a ball python, not very large, non-poisonous.  I came across it as a matter of it being found in my fiancee's shop.
I've owned several snakes, and lizards over the years, but not since I became aware of having hepatitis C.  I would like to keep it, as they make great pets.  However, I've run across a few different opinions on this.  Some say that handling them is fine, as long as you wash up well, and immediately.  Others say that they shouldn't even be housed in the same building.
I'm aware that either way, the reptile's accoutrements should be washed somewhere other than the area used for washing household dishes, ...
I'd be grateful for an answer, as if I can't handle it, I need to find it another home.
Thank you for your time.      

[kickboxingmom]

Correction.
Ksdk.  Not NBC    

[kickboxingmom]

Hi.I'm unsure if this will help.I was getting ready for work this morning and had Channel 5 News on.They were talking about reptiles and diseases.I was really busy but I did hear bleach and a link would be up on NBC's Web-Site.Oct. 01, Something with the name of Frog in it.You may want to check it out.
Good Luck

[Marcia2202]

you're cool!

Marcia

[kittyluvr]

First off, thank you for being concerned about my feelings.  It is greatly appreciated.
That being said, I've found through past experience that you invariably have to dig through some kind of something unpleasant to find the really rewarding things (boyfriends, friends, clothes at the thrift store...).
The reason I was concerned is because A: reptiles are carriers of salmonella, and B: I know that my immune system is not up to par because I've been told so, AND, perhaps more importantly, I've contracted two really freaky infections from off the wall sources.  They both were bad enough to put me in the hospital, and one of them warranted a pick-line, and self administered IV antibiotics at home for 2 more weeks.
I got scared after reading various things from different parts of this site, and I feel like my doctor has been rather cavalier about my situation.  I don't know anything about my HCV, and have had no biopsy.
Irregardless of jokes (we have to keep a sense of humor, or what are we doing here), or anything else, I'll see another doctor that will help me.
So, it's all tall cotton......      

[jmjm530]

As for hcv, I think that I've rounded a corner in which I might believe that getting rid of it sooner might always be the best approach
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I think she can keep the Python if they don't share the same dishes or cat.

[FlGuy]

Any situation in which a cat survives scratching a python calls into question the basic skills of the python.  Last week you qutoed Ogden Nash (Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker) I think.  He has also written about a python - use your google skills, Obi Wan.  

As for hcv, I think that I've rounded a corner in which I might believe that getting rid of it sooner might always be the best approach. Not much good ever comes from waiting.

[Marcia2202]

I forgot....

maybe you could find a good explanation or answer on this recent interesting thread

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/617440


God bless,

Marcia


kiityluvr... sorry for hijacking your thread for a little while

[Marcia2202]

That question ONLY Mr. Chin can answer... and btw...where the heck is he??? He should have posted those results about a months ago.... Probably still in the making of faking them with his computer animation skills... Or maybe conversing with the aliens...

[jmjm530]

Milked,

Initially, it struck me as another variation of "can I get Hep C from a full moon" type of post. There was almost no mention of her condition (which came later) and mostly of Pythonology. The good thing here is that even if someone starts with a joke  (which is usally FlGuy's job) that others will soon jump in with helpful info as people started to do as soon as she talked about her Hep C. Anyway, I'm sort of on the edge of an apology but the more I write, not sure if warranted, but thanks for the nice words at the end and hopefully neither Kitty, yourself (or the Python) was offended.

In any event, if "Kitty" is still around -- and I'll try and lay off the Python jokes today -- you really should get another opinion/evaluation on your Hep C and preferably from a liver specialist (hepatologist). Hepatologists are usually found at your larger, teaching hosptials.

Also, Kitty, much of you concern regarding Salmolella and pets may indeed be unfounded because just because you've had HCV for ten years doesn't mean your immune system is compromised as you think it might be. Of course, washing your Python dishes with the families' doesn't sound like a great idea,  but I think that holds for anyone, not just those with Hep C.

Question for those concerned: What happens if the cat scratches the Python after scratching the person who is HCV positive and then the Python bites someone else who goes out on a date? And related, Would prophalactively consuming large quantities of fruit juice help?

[miked]

The early comments in this thread did rub me the wrong way which is why I jumped in.  

An inexperienced HCV person comes here asking a legitimate question about the possibilities of contracting salmonella from handling pet reptiles because she thinks HCV has suppressed her immune system.  Instead of advise she (sorry kittyluver about referring to you as a guy) gets jokes.

Jim; you're a veteran of HCV and have personally provided me with good research information which is most appreciated. You've always been so supportive and the jokes didn't seem like a typical response from you.

Sorry if I read this situation incorrectly.

BTW; I do prefer our pets to have fur but my son adopted the Python.

miked

[jmjm530]

Milked: Doesn't kittyluvr's last post make you feel proud about your "black-end reptile" comments?
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I just read her last post and honestly I don't know what you're talking about. Nor do I know why she thinks people are scaring her here or why her doc wants her to wait on treatment or even why she thinks that people with Hep C should be any more careful handling animals than anyone else. I had Hep C for close to 40 years and no liver specialist ever gave me any special warnings or told me that my immune system was severely compromised. Maybe Kitty needs a new doctor to explain things to her more than sympathy from another Python lover, not that I have anything against Python lovers or think you aren't being supportive. Just my perspective here.

-- Jim

[Trinity4]

Kittyluver seems perfectly content with the reponses she got.  She gained some very good knowledge about the handling of reptiles and HCV.  I don't think she was offended miked -  otherwise she would have stated so.  Apparently it rubbed you the wrong way, not her.
Trinity

[miked]

If I can provide any help about HCV please look at my profile and send me an email.  I'd be pleased to let you know anything that I've learned while trying to cure myself over the last 4-5 years.

By the way - my son's Ball Python is Kaa from the Jungle Book.

miked

[miked]

Doesn't kittyluvr's last post make you feel proud about your "black-end reptile" comments?

This person comes here looking for advice about handling his reptiles while having HCV, you guys make fun about pan-frying his pets, and kittyluver gets good information about curing his disease.

I jumped in because my son has a Ball Python and I thought your comments were out of line.

Please think about extending your apologies to kittyluver.

miked

[kittyluvr]

You'll have me convinced that I need to get much more active where my hep c is concerned.
I'll get the biopsy, and find out what kind I have.
I've just been coasting with what my doctor had to say.  He hasn't seemed concerned, and I know that doctors are big on racking up lots of extra charges with tests, ...etc.  Knowing that, since he wasn't sending me for more tests and procedures, I didn't think it could be that bad.  Then I found this site trying to get info about handling the snake.  I've got to say, I'm most definitely scared.
All of that being said, everyone of you'll be safe, well, and blessed, and thank you for all of your time and effort.  

[working dog]

i had lots of reptiles untill a couple years ago...i was bit often..sometimes into the bone by croc monitors..most folks that get bit like that will get bad infections...but not me...i would just get a little infection and it would go away...then as my hep symptoms came on i just couldn't keep all my reptiles..anyway ..i was cleaning out my reptile house after i had gotten rid of almost all of them and i got a bad infection when i scraped my finger on something...a red line went right up my arm fast so i went to the doc and took care of it...i still keep a pair of diamond pythons with no problems...i think it's way different when your hep is acting up...through diet and not drinking my hep is now better then 2 years ago ..i was down in gainsville fl a few weeks ago and caught some turtles and snakes...didn;t wash up either..be carefull ..keep the cage clean...good luck......billy

[Marcia2202]

I must say that if I had known that you have had a lot of infections and a compromised immune system, I would have maybe replied differently.

With everything you just posted about your health issues, I would if I was in your situation personally not have any pets at all... But that's just me, not trying to push my point of view on you...

Btw, treatment, even if it fails, helps heal the liver in the process... so the treatment doesn't stress the liver. My liver enzymes have within 4 weeks of treatment gone down to ALT 21 and AST 27.

I cannot judge if you are a good candidate or not, but that was just a little insight on the subject.

God bless,

Marcia

[nygirl7]

I could be wrong, but my liver is already stressed-elevated liver enzymes, with all of the other things I have to take.  I've got a history of depression....  Blah, Blah, Blah.....
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You were diagnosed ten years ago but haven't had a recent biopsy? That you should do asap. Then you would be able to tell exactly where you stand.  It's really impossible to do (although elevated liver enzymes mean that liver cell death is occuring on a regular basis) without one.

They are relatively painless - like getting an uncomfortable shot.

And by the way - the chance of being cured is much higher than 30% and recent developments are raising that number all of the time.  And it depends of which geno you have.

Get that biopsy so you can see how far your liver damaged has progressed, either then you will know you have to treat or you will have peace of mind that it hasn't progressed that far.  You can't hide your head in the sand on this one unfortunately _ i had ZERO signs or symptoms that I was aware of and when I was diagnosed was already a stage 3.  Pretty shocking news to me - luckiest day was when I found out I had it and could cure it.

[miked]

Thinking more about the snake biting her with HCV then another person in a couple day period.

I had the same question when my daughter adopted a kitty while I was on tx.  Claws and teeth.

miked

[kittyluvr]

Thanks everyone for comments.  So far miked sounds closest to what I believe, along with a couple of other folks.
Wash up before, and after, and don't touch your face in between.  Wear gloves when cleaning cage, ...
Reptiles are known carriers of salmonella, hence my concern.
I'm glad I found this website, but truth be told, you'll are scaring me, because my doctor doesn't want to start me on treatment yet, but I've been pretty sick for a couple of years now, throwing up, abdominal pain, fatigue, ...etc.  I've been so sick my fiancee started me on medicinal cannabis just so I could have some level of quality of life.
I have other things going too, like degenerative disk disease, fibromyalgia, circulation issues, ... so I take a lot of medicine.
I have caught a couple of pretty freaky infections in the past several years that layed me down-in the hospital for weeks, and more self administered iv antibiotics at home.
Hepatitis C does affect your immune system...  How could it not?  I've never had anyone say, nor have I read anywhere that hep c doesn't affect your immune system.  Maybe in the very beginning.....
I've been diagnosed for about 10 yrs, but was pretty much okay until a few years ago.  There's no way of telling how long I had it before I was diagnosed, but it seems I've been doing the slow slide into the abyss ever since....  I'm pretty much convinced that I won't be a good candidate for treatment.
I could be wrong, but my liver is already stressed-elevated liver enzymes, with all of the other things I have to take.  I've got a history of depression....  Blah, Blah, Blah.....
I'm not complaining, I have a good life, all things considered.
But I'm already sick.  I don't want to be tortured for a 30-35% chance I could get rid of it, without destroying my already stressed liver.
All of that being said, each one of you that took time to answer my question, thank you.
And each one of you, be blessed, and feel better....              

[nygirl7]

I don't think animals can get hepC from humans - it's a human being disease is my understanding.

[Marcia2202]

I must have had hcv for 25 years.

I used to live in the tropics and had dogs, loads of birds, (1 of them a little pet bird which used to fall asleep on my chest. He had an open cage so he could fly out in nature and would come back when I called him) Turtles, Iguana (which used to fall asleep on me to) a squirrel. I also bread Siamese show cats. I would always wash my hands after handling the animals and never touch my face while handling them. I never got any illnesses from any of them. I would have the reptiles checked for salmonella though, as that is really not a thing one wants to catch.

[miked]

My son has a four foot Ball Python.

As usual wash your hands before and after handling the snake.  Hep C isn't a factor unless the python bites (which some do).

My son has always been fascinated with reptiles.  On vacations he's hunting for geckos, lizards, snakes.  When he first brought the python home I was not happy.  I have to admit though she has become a valued pet.

miked

[Trish77]

Sigh......you're no fun.  There goes my experiments with making blackened chicken.  The pans leach that much iron? I just never even thought about that at all.