Phobos
New member
I am writing this because of the hoop-la and finger-pointing started on a different forum regarding infectious diseases introduced into private collection. Determining a source of infection in private reptile collections is very difficult at best. It's not like you slept with one woman (or man) you met the night before and woke up the next morning peeing molten lava. Then it’s easy to locate the infectious vector.
If private keepers actually set up quarantine for their newly acquired specimen and had the animal tested for different communicable diseases it would be possible to point the finger towards the individuals or company you purchased the animal from, however, very few private keepers actually undertake these precautionary measures. I am actually surprised that this sort of catastrophe problem is not more widespread considering the lack of hygiene in many of the facilities or collections that I visit.
I suggest that instead of focusing on finger-pointing you focus your attention on prevention and basic hygiene practices. Remember, that the source of the infection and YOU are ultimately responsible for the problem because no precautions were taken.
I suggest you download, read, and practice the protocols in the following two PDF’s. You'll find that it's much more productive than pointing fingers at each other.
One last thing, if you have a Vet, talk to them about this topic.
Al Coritz
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/faunapermits/pdfs/fape_pdfs_hygiene_protocol.pdf
http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/BRM/resources/Disinfectants/Disinfection101Feb2005.pdf
If private keepers actually set up quarantine for their newly acquired specimen and had the animal tested for different communicable diseases it would be possible to point the finger towards the individuals or company you purchased the animal from, however, very few private keepers actually undertake these precautionary measures. I am actually surprised that this sort of catastrophe problem is not more widespread considering the lack of hygiene in many of the facilities or collections that I visit.
I suggest that instead of focusing on finger-pointing you focus your attention on prevention and basic hygiene practices. Remember, that the source of the infection and YOU are ultimately responsible for the problem because no precautions were taken.
I suggest you download, read, and practice the protocols in the following two PDF’s. You'll find that it's much more productive than pointing fingers at each other.
One last thing, if you have a Vet, talk to them about this topic.
Al Coritz
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/faunapermits/pdfs/fape_pdfs_hygiene_protocol.pdf
http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/BRM/resources/Disinfectants/Disinfection101Feb2005.pdf
