Hedgehogs carry dangerous diseases

[pricklesnquills]

I found this article this morning: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081006/ap_on_he_me/med_exotic_pets

I don't think young kids should have hedgies, but for them to say that hedgies have dangerous diseases AND are more prone to bit and such is unfair to the little hedgers.

[ChinnieChantel]

How stupid. Parents can and should supervise kids of that age, make sure they wash their hands, etc. If not, the whole FAMILY should not have ANY pets at all, let alone children.

[pricklesnquills]

Yeah, really. I mean, cats and dogs are the ones that go outside and could bring in a lot more 'dangerous diseases'. They also bite...specially cats.

In my almost 5 years of owning hedgies, I have only been bit twice by a hedgie. I don't think I've ever had a quill puncture my skin....

[Scrat2007]

http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/nws/p/ap_logo_106.png (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/brand/SIG=br2v03;_ylt=AoFT_enthWGZaB3N5T.EI5Ba24cA/*http://www.ap.org)
Doctors: No hamsters or exotic pets for young kids

By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer 2 hours, 24 minutes ago


CHICAGO - Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease.
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That's according to the nation's leading pediatricians' group in a new report about dangers from exotic animals.
Besides evidence that they can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw — putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, the report says.
Young children are vulnerable because of developing immune systems plus they often put their hands in their mouths.
That means families with children younger than 5 should avoid owning "nontraditional" pets. Also, kids that young should avoid contact with these animals in petting zoos or other public places, according to the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report appears in the October edition of the group's medical journal, Pediatrics.
"Many parents clearly don't understand the risks from various infections" these animals often carry, said Dr. Larry Pickering, the report's lead author and an infectious disease specialist at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For example, about 11 percent of salmonella illnesses in children are thought to stem from contact with lizards, turtles and other reptiles, Pickering said. Hamsters also can carry this germ, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
Salmonella also has been found in baby chicks, and young children can get it by kissing or touching the animals and then putting their hands in their mouths, he said.
Study co-author Dr. Joseph Bocchini said he recently treated an infant who got salmonella from the family's pet iguana, which was allowed to roam freely in the home. The child was hospitalized for four weeks but has recovered, said Bocchini, head of the academy's infectious diseases committee and pediatrics chairman at Louisiana State University in Shreveport.
Hedgehogs can be dangerous because their quills can penetrate skin and have been known to spread a bacteria germ that can cause fever, stomach pain and a rash, the report said.
With supervision and precautions like hand-washing, contact between children and animals "is a good thing," Bocchini said. But families should wait until children are older before bringing home an exotic pet, he said.
Those who already have these pets should contact their veterinarians about specific risks and possible new homes for the animals, he said.
Data cited in the study indicate that about 4 million U.S. households have pet reptiles. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, all kinds of exotic pets are on the rise, although generally fewer than 2 percent of households own them.
The veterinarian group's Mike Dutton, a Weare, N.H., exotic animal specialist, said the recommendations send an important message to parents who sometimes buy exotic pets on an impulse, "then they ask questions, sometimes many months later."
But a spokesman for the International Hedgehog Association said there's no reason to single out hedgehogs or other exotic pets.
"Our recommendation is that no animal should be a pet for kids 5 and under," said Z.G. Standing Bear. He runs a rescue operation near Pikes Peak, Colo., for abandoned hedgehogs, which became fad pets about 10 years ago.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081006/ap_on_he_me/med_exotic_pets

[Incubus527]

:rolleyes:

[illinidairychic]

I've sold hedgehogs to families with younger children (although usually over the age of 5 or 6) and have never had an issue with it. Obviously I make sure the parents understand what is involved because more than likely they will really be caring for the animal or at least doing some supervision.

I get a lot of parents that prefer the hedgehog over small rodents because they DON'T bite as much and are less likely too. A hedgehogs first defense is NOT biting it's hiding.

I understand the reptiles and concern. I take extra precautions with my turtles and russians while pregnant and wear rubber gloves when handling them or cleaning their cages and always wash extra afterwards. Common sense people...it does wonders.

[AlbertaGirl]

While I don't agree with the article, I think anything that makes people hesitate and maybe, I don't know, do some RESEARCH before they buy an animal is a good thing. Maybe after seeing this story, people won't be so prone to go to the pet store and buy an exotic pet on a whim.

[greychins]

See, now I would think kids under 5 would be in more danger of picking up a dog's droppings or going snooping in the cat's litter box and THEN putting their hands in their mouths. I dont have a hedgie, but the few I've seen have been very calm, and just balled up if they felt uncomfortable, rather than biting... just seems to show misconceptions about animals.

I agree with ChinnieChantal - as a kid, I was always taught to wash my hands after handling/petting any animal. Now I have a dog, and lots of stuff is covered in dog hair, although I seem to vacuum endlessly. STILL, before I eat, I make sure I wash my hands. Common sense.

[Midwest Exotics]

How strange. Kaiden isnt allowed into any of the animal areas unless chris or myself is with him, but we do allow him to play with or hold the animals depending on his mood, etc.

Its only common sense to wash hands(esp that of a toddler or small child) after playing with an animal. We have hand sanitizer bottle by every cage & even my two year old knows he has to use that before leaving their room. I also realize that most animals will bit in the event they are hurt or scared, but in all my years thus far owning hedgies, i've yet to have one bite me. (knock on wood) lol

I worry more about our cats getting too playful & biting.

Its all a bunch of hogwash.. no pun intended. =]

[hedgehog69]

some people are very un educated about hedgies they are probally talking about exotics in general and for some stupid reason using hedgies as an example, some exotics are in deed more prone to sickness and diseases, but definately not hedgie, they are probally thinking more on the line of the small pox scare with the prairie dogs and the cambien rats, and some of the other now banned exotics to own in the U.S. this is one big misconception and a fine example of an idiot opening their mouth before they do their research.