salmonella NEVER smile at a crocodile - and don't even think about kissing one. Unusual-pet vet Dr Brendon Carmel says reptile kissing is riskier than it looks, and it already looks risky enough. Apart from the obvious teeth and fang issue, salmonella is likely to bite over-affectionate owners. And, while smooching a skink is an acquired taste, Dr Carmel says it happens in reptile-loving homes and in his Warranwood clinic's waiting room. "They'll be there saying goodbye for the day. They'll say, 'Look after my poor bearded dragon or sick snake', and give it a big kiss," he says.
Or they might get it out of their enclosure at home to watch TV with them and kiss it when they get it out or give it a kiss when they put it back." Dr Carmel delivered the warning at the Australian Veterinary Association annual conference and says the risk is more real than people might think. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. In the United States in 2004, 74,000 reptile owners were struck down by salmonella poisoning. Dr Carmel says most, if not all, reptiles carry salmonella in their gut and kissing one is like eating gone-off chicken. Owners are also at risk if they eat or smoke while handling their reptiles, and should wash their hands well before putting anything in their mouth. And he says young children, people with compromised immunity and the frail elderly are most at risk. "As the popularity of reptile ownership grows in Australia, cases of severe poisoning have increased," Dr Carmel says.
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