Salmonella in frozen feeder-mice
There’s been an issue concerning salmonella in frozen mice supplied into the reptile pet trade for a while now. However, the situation has recently reached a tipping point with DEFRA, Environmental Health and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) combining to investigate the problem. While the risk to the public is considered to be very low, there have been over 800 recorded cases of salmonella from feeder mice in total, with more than 100 incidences this year alone.
At the end of September, the FSA urged a recall of all frozen mice sold by one major supplier – a move that would have caused significant food shortages for thousands of reptiles in the UK and halted a significant proportion of the trade in this product sector. Thankfully, intervention by the Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade Association (REPTA) brought about a change of heart from the FSA, who have instead insisted that information leaflets about avoiding salmonella be distributed with all frozen mice sourced from that supplier. On a positive note, the issue has prompted one wholesaler to implement plans to test for salmonella both at source and upon arrival here in the UK, in a bid to avoid similar salmonella-related issues.
IHS reptile show is a big success
I wasn’t there, but I’m told by a number of those who were that they can’t remember a busier IHS reptile show. After the covid-enforced two-year hiatus, the International Herpetological Society reptile breeders’ meeting was held at Doncaster Race Course, attracting an estimated 6,000 visitors.
The show progressed without a hitch, with two appointed vets finding little to do beyond recommending action on a couple of small niggles which were immediately remedied. Representatives from the local authority were also in attendance, along with their own appointed vet. Again, no concerns were raised.
Very noisy tortoises
Finally, I must say that the column has been rather difficult to write this month, my concentration having been interrupted on several occasions. I’m not complaining, but it is hard to keep my mind on my work, so to speak, when I could be outside watching giant Aldabra tortoises mating.
The reason for the interruption is because I was invited to spend September zoo-sitting my friend’s reptile collection in the Canary Islands. It’s been a fabulous month spent working with some of the world’s most spectacular reptile species, including Aldabra tortoises, Cuban crocodiles, Chinese alligators and half-a-dozen Komodo dragons, to name but a few.
The experience was made all the more memorable by the fact that all of the animals are kept outdoors under natural sunlight in enormous open-air enclosures, including the Aldabra tortoises which are right outside the window of my temporary office. The 85 year old, 275kg male named George is, at this very moment, making all manner of noises while he enjoys the pleasures of mating season. It’s quite distracting, to say the least
I don’t often get to work hands-on with livestock these days and I’d forgotten how amazing and fulfilling it is to watch animals doing what comes naturally – even if does interrupt my flow.
