Hedgehog Salmonella - Who Is Infecting Whom?

Guest Author - Z. G. Standing Bear

I sincerely applaud the efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to track infectious illnesses, but it seems that the tracking mechanism, at least in the case of the animal appears to be one-sided and lays blame upon the animal rather than the human. Could it be that humans, given the overwhelming incidents of foodborne illnesses leading to salmonella, are passing his illness on to the cloistered pet hedgehogs? At least that seems quite plausible to me.

The 2012 Hedgehog Salmonella “Outbreak”

Then, in 2012, we have an “outbreak,” according to CDC, of incidents of a particular strain of salmonella (Salmonella typhimurium) - 20 cases spread over eight states where a pet hedgehog resides in the home of the human salmonella patient. Of these 20 cases, one case each is reported in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, and Oregon, three cases each in Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio, and seven cases in Washington state. Of these reported cases, one has resulted in death (Washington state) and 47% of cases involve children ten years of age or younger.

The “connection” to pet hedgehogs in this matter means that a pet hedgehog is in the household where the Salmonella Typhimurium was contracted. In my inquiry to the CDC on this matter, it was revealed that in only two cases of the 20 reported, was the hedgehog actually tested for this bacteria, and the results were positive. Of course, this means that zoonotic illnesses work in two directions – either the hedgehog passed the illness to the human, or the human passed the illness to the hedgehog.

The CDC estimates that about 1,000,000 cases of salmonella occur each year in the USA and some 20,000 require hospitalization. Some estimates place the number of annual cases of upwards of 1,400,000 cases. Most of these cases occur from contaminated food products, such as chicken and eggs, then recently romaine lettuce. So, I would contend that in these 20 "hedgehog cases" the hedgehog got blamed simply because the hedgehog lived in the home where a salmonella case occurred. Otherwise, why has this "problem" not been identified over the last 20 years (as PulseNet has been in operation since 1996)? Even if these 20 cases could be directly attributed to hedgehogs (which I seriously doubt) the number 20 out of 1.4 million cases is statistically insignificant.

The Reaction from Paxton the Hedgehog

Paxton is a hedgehog that posts his opinions from time to time on the Yahoogroups list-server Pog-Chit-Chat, a list-server for hedgehogs. In reviewing this “outbreak” of salmonella typhimurium, Paxton was swift to observe an interesting fact about pet hedgehog life in North America. Paxton noted that humans are fond of giving pet hedgehogs toilet paper tubes as toys so they can engage in a pastime called “tubing,” where the hedgehog places the cardboard toilet paper tube on her/his head and roams around, seemingly enjoying this “tunnel vision.” It is essentially unknown as to why these hedgehogs enjoy this, but such are the mysteries of the universe (we still have not figured out self-anointing) for these creatures that are the oldest continually surviving live-bearing mammals on earth – they used to hang out with dinosaurs.

At any rate, Paxton is swift to point out that toilet paper tubes are provided to hedgehogs by humans as entertainment devices. Now, really, where do virtually all toilet paper tubes spend their entire working life? So, the logical question that follows is whether PulseNet also asks questions concerning the use of toilet paper tubes as entertainment devices for the pet hedgehogs. In other words, it seems logical (to Paxton and myself, anyway), this salmonella strain is being given to the pet hedgehogs by their (otherwise well-meaning) human companions, rather than the other way around.

After all, pet hedgehogs are properly kept indoors and in relatively isolated enclosures. I have cared for over 350 hedgehogs long-term for fifteen years, and my average population here at the Rescue is between 35 and 50 resident animals. My primary orientation is to wash my hands thoroughly before handling the hedgehogs, rather than after (unless the hedgehog is in initial quarantine or afflicted with an illness such as mites or Clostridium, etc.). Otherwise, I have no concern about catching anything from any of the hedgehogs in the regular population here.

Of course, once CDC officials have a chance to read this article, I can see an additional question added to the already very complex PulseNet questionnaire about salmonella for laboratories:

a. Does the household have a pet hedgehog?

b. If yes, does that hedgehog have a toilet paper tube as a recreational device?

Who Is Infecting Whom?

I sincerely applaud the efforts of the CDC to track infectious illnesses, but it seems that the tracking mechanism, at least in the case of animals appears to be one-sided and lays blame upon the animal rather than the human. Could it be that humans, given the overwhelming incidents of foodborne illnesses leading to salmonella, are passing his illness on to the cloistered pet hedgehogs? At least that seems quite plausible to me.

Dr. Z. G. Standing Bear is a criminologist and forensic scientist who has been involved in animal rescue since 1995 and hedgehog rescue since 1997. He is the administrator of The Flash and Thelma Memorial Hedgehog Rescue, Inc., in Divide, Colorado, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Hedgehog Association.

PulseNet and Foodborne Disease Outbreak Detection

In order to understand the most recent chapter in the hedgehog salmonella alert, it is well to consider the methods by which the CDC examines and tracks “outbreaks” of illnesses that may be linked to animals and/or food sources. Since 1996, CDC uses a sophisticated computerized program called PulseNet to track reported illnesses according to a “DNA fingerprint” for bacteria making people sick. The program has produced some amazing results with a speed that is truly impressive. It tracks a cumulative database representing some half million isolates from food, the environment, and human foodborne illnesses. In a recent outbreak of Listeriosis, the PulseNet system was able to trace the origin of the illness to whole cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Colorado. This took just seven days in Colorado and some 17 days in other states – truly a remarkable and exemplary public health effort. Contributing to PulseNet are 87 laboratories in all 50 states as well as other contributing federal, state, and local laboratories. There are many fascinating pages on the CDC as to how PulseNet produces illness outbreak data.

PulseNet triggered outbreak investigations have resulted in the recall of over one half billion pounds of contaminated food! More importantly, these investigations have identified unrecognized problems in food production and distribution. For further information on PulseNet, visit the CDC website at Pulsenet

The initial response article was originally published in the IHA News, Volume 7, Issue 2, February 2005.

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Goji Berry - Super Food

Most Nutritious Food for your Exotic Pets or Birds

The Goji berry or Wolfberry a highly nutritious plant where everything is edible. There is no waste in this very healthy food; both the berry and the leaves can be eaten raw, cooked or brewed as a tea. The berries can be eaten fresh or dehydrated. The berries and the edible leaves are an excellent source of nutrition for humans, exotic pets that are herbivores or omnivores. The Goji is also great for birds. The Goji berry is a Lycium fruit. The newer leaves and tender shoots make a wonderful salad, more nutritious than any other green you can grow or buy.

The Goji has been a huge part of traditional Asian medicine since ancient times. The Chinese call it Gouqizi. The first known publications were as early as 100 A.D. The Goji is also known as the wolfberry, matrimony vine, Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree or Lycium barbarum. I began experimenting with the Goji plants at the beginning of this growing season. They are easily ten feet high and are branching out all over the place. Though I hadn't expected berries until early fall it began fruiting a couple of months ago. It is a beautiful plant. My concern at this point will be overwintering in South Dakota. I am hoping it survives that harsh winter and fruits next year. I will be supplying both dehydrated berries and leaves next year if the little fellows survive the winter. I would love to be picking and dehydrating this year except I can't bend or twist because of my very recent spine surgery.

"The Goji berry is over 15% protein, has 21 essential minerals and 18 amino acids as well as Lycium barbarum polysaccharides as well as more antioxidants carotenoids than found in any other food." http://www.phoenixforagingrolls.com/Organic-Goji-Berries-020.htm.

They have essential fatty acids, carotenoids, six essential vitamins including a very high amount of vitamin C, calcium, riboflavin, potassium, selenium, Beta Carotene, and many other nutritional values. Lycii Fructus or Lycium fruit is the pharmacological name or reference.

For those watching or restricting their salt or sodium intake, the Goji only has 75 milligrams in 28 grams of dried goji and it is a natural salt like a tomato would have.

One concern is the high amount of iron, please use in moderation especially for birds. Don't go overboard with the iron content. But, as with most anything moderation is the key. Nine mg of iron per 100 grams of dried berries.

Humans can add the berries and leaves to most anything. They taste wonderful, and the nutritional quality is beyond anything else. Consider loads of protein for a plant type food!!!

The taste of the fresh berry is said to be a cross between a strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry. I personally haven't decided what it tastes like yet, though it does taste good! It is not overly sweet (not a ton of natural sugar like many fruits) so blends well with most anything.

Add it to your bird or parrots food as well as your herbivores or omnivores exotic pets.

Keep the Veterinarian and the doctor away! Get your immune system ready for winter.

Goji berry image or goji berry picture (our plants)

Goji blossom, goji plant (beautiful purple blossoms)

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What Exotic Pet Do You Choose?

Domestic Skunk

The domestic skunk can be an ideal pet. While they are not legal yet in all states mostly because of misconceptions about the skunk and the fact that there is not a legal rabies vaccination approved as of yet. Many states will require a permit before you purchase a pet skunk. Also, your county laws and local laws before purchasing a skunk. Domestic/Pen Raised skunks are at no more risk of contracting rabies than any other domestic animal. Skunks can be stubborn, strong for their size, intelligent, friendly, and highly curious.

A skunk as a pet is usually a striped skunk though some people have a spotted skunk. The striped skunk doesn't climb (much - they can climb up a baby gate or playpen.) Spotted skunks are much better climbers.

It takes a patient person to own a skunk. They have their scent glands removed before they are sold. However, they have not spayed or neutered, and this is a necessary procedure. They are very quiet animals. They require both cat and dog vaccinations. They can never be caged and must have free range of most of the house. The skunk's diet is highly specialized, and they can never be fed cat food. The skunk requires the same healthy diet that we do. Most of us that have skunks end up eating much healthier because we have skunks in the house.

Skunks are highly sensitive to fumes, pesticides, cleaning agents, and deodorizers. Skunks love to play and are very loving. Skunks can be very destructive. The skunk is a very different and unique animal. It is certainly not a pet for everyone. Did I mention skunks are stubborn?

Sugar Glider

What are sugar gliders? The sugar glider is a marsupial from Southern Australia. The pet sugar glider makes a sweet, affectionate little pet. They love human attention and love to play. They sleep in the daytime and play at night, so this may make an excellent pet for a nocturnal human. These little sweeties require a healthy specialized diet.

They cannot consume fat. The majority of their diet is fruit and vegetables (75%). They should receive protein (25%).

It is unsafe for the sugar glider to roam free in your home. It is also unsafe for your home. They do chew on drapes and furniture. Keep the sugar glider out of the sunlight. Bright light can permanently blind them. Provide a proper enclosure for them. A cage should be no smaller than 24" inches in diameter and 38" tall for not any more than 2 animals. Bigger is better. They make excellent pets for the family that has time to spend with them. They are highly intelligent and social animals. Having two sugar gliders is better than one. Check out the laws in your area before purchasing a sugar glider.

Hedgehog

The hedgehog also is known affectionately known as the "Yuppie Puppy" because its popularity as a pet is a recent occurrence. Hedgehogs are around 6 inches long and have quills on the top portion of their bodies. Their undersides are soft fur. The hedgehog is nocturnal. These little-armored animals need to be caged. They require an exercise wheel and toys. Check the legalities of owning a hedgehog before purchasing. They do not take up a lot of space and are very quiet.

Unfortunately, people grow disenchanted because they are difficult to handle and many hedgehogs become ignored and lonesome. The hedgehog is another pet that can be special for the right person.

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PETA KILLS 95% of Adoptable Animals

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) killed 95% of the adoptable animals at their Virginia headquarters last year; in other words out of 2050 animals 1965 were euthanized (28 animals were adopted and 31 transferred to other facilities).

According to Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) Senior Research Analyst J. Justin Wilson, the majority of these animals were held less than 24 hours before being killed, giving few people the chance to adopt these animals.

PETA has published guidelines for running a humane shelter. Discovered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services during an inspection in 2010, 84% of all animals in their shelters were killed within 24 hours. PETA doesn’t meet the established, published guidelines on humane treatment that PETA created!

What did PETA do with their 30 million dollar budget last year? It wasn’t saving animals from slaughter. The hard earned donated dollars you contributed in good faith wasn’t used to help animals.

Why were so many animals destroyed? According to PETA spokesperson Daphna Nachminovitch, who is Vice President of PETA’s Cruelty Investigations Department, suggested they’d rather see the animals destroyed than have the potential of going to abusive homes. It was pet owner’s fault; until pets are spayed and neutered this atrocity would continue.

The 1965 animals that were killed are only the animals in their Virginia headquarters’ shelter, how many were killed in their other PETA shelters?

This example isn’t the first year PETA has killed thousands of animals. It has happened many times in the past. Check out my previous story, more enlightening dealings about PETA, and their dirty little secrets! PETA Death Squad - Kills Thousands of Animals

I am certainly not suggesting, not donating money or your time, to helping animals but PETA is not the answer; PETA is never the answer, at least not for many years. Where do you donate your money? To your no-kill local shelters!

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Fat Pets – Obesity

Share how you keep your pet's active. What methods have you used to help your pet's lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight?

According to a news report, our pets are fat. So what else is new? We’re fat, our kids are overweight, and it just stands to reason our pets would suffer from obesity too. We are creating an obese society causing severe health and mental issues.

Sixteen to thirty percent of kids are obese, around thirty percent of adults, and around fifty percent of our pets? What is going on? I think examining the reason for obesity is the key though I suppose that is kind of a no-brainer.

Our physical activity levels directly associate with our obesity levels, if were inactive we tend to go for easy when it comes to food. If we're idle, we feel mentally defunct and find a cure in eating. We are inactive, and our pets are lethargic. Someone has to walk and or play with the pets. The obesity situation in pets isn’t just dogs or cats it is exotic pets as well.

Animals weren’t born to be in cages or stuck in a house or in a fenced yard for that matter. They searched or hunted for their food. They were active.

The less we want to move the more weight we gain. Our joints start hurting causing us to want to move even less. It is no different for our pets. They begin to experience pain too. We already know the obesity causes all kinds of health problems from diabetes to heart disease. But let’s stick with just obvious discomfort for now. The more sedentary we become, the less we want to more. We become depressed our mental facilities slow. When we grab the pets and kids and get moving the rush of adrenal and oxygen is terrific.

During my younger years, I’d turn up the stereo, not enough to hurt anyone’s ears, grab the kids and animals and we’d all dance to the music. Even the birds would tag along bobbing their heads as they brought up the rear. Everyone’s eyes would shine you could feel the euphoria in the air. It was catchy the more you danced, the more you wanted to. The happier you became, the more weight loss. This is just one example of the multitude of things you can do with your entire family, kids, adults, exotic pets and pets, to keep you moving without having to plan a ballgame. Though, a ballgame would be fun.

Does our diet affect our physical activity or is it the other way around. Do we grow so sluggish that we don’t want to take the time and energy to make healthy meals? Are we to lethargic to learn what a healthy meal is? We just grab what is quick and easy from a fast food hamburger full of fat, sugar, and salt or the fastest food we can find in the kitchen. When we get into this vicious circle, we grow lazy when it comes to our pets. Do we just put out a bowl of food so that the pet can free range whenever it wants to eat?

Take the time to learn what a healthy diet is for your exotic pet. Learn how much and how often your pet ought to eat. Put what you have learned into action. Then get active!

Our lack of physical activity directly relates to our pet’s obesity. Get up, grab the kids and pets, move around, and get reacquainted with that feeling of exhilaration. Weight loss becomes much easier.

Share how you keep your pet's active. What methods have you used to help your pet's lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight?

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Birds of Prey – Falconry

The ancient art of falconry is far from a lost skill, alive and well in the US, and around much of the world. The proficiency takes a lot of dedication. In this world of instant gratification, cell phones, and computers, I hope it doesn’t become a lost art. I have gained a tremendous amount of esteem for falconers and hawkers, in addition to the respect they have for a wild bird and the incredible relationship that develops. Not the warm fuzzy relationship we have with many exotic pets but the working relationship that falconers and hawkers experience. Read the article...


Birds of Prey – Falconry