Chicks, Bunnies and Salmonella

    Many families will be celebrating Easter in a few weeks.  Although this is usually a joyous occasion, it can have its dark side.  Hiding, finding and eating Easter eggs is a happy family event.  It is better to use the plastic eggs for hiding and save the real eggs for eating.  The eggs should be thoroughly hard boiled and kept refrigerated until served.  If you use hollow eggshells for cascarones, they too should be disinfected before filling with confetti.  Raw eggs can be a source of salmonella.  Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause health problems.  There are many species and serotypes of salmonella, and animals can be an important source for many.  Typical symptoms of salmonellosis are:  fever, headache, malaise, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea.  Children should not be allowed to handle or break raw eggs as this could lead to the ingestion of salmonella.

     Another spring tradition is the giving of chicks, ducklings and bunnies to children as pets.  Chicks and ducklings can be another source of salmonella.  Young children should not be allowed to handle them.  A large number of these gift pets end up at animal shelters or die every year.  It is not a good idea to give live animals, especially young animals, to children as gifts.  Before giving a child a live animal, always check with the child's parents.  If you are the parent, be sure that you are ready to assume the responsibility for the animal if the child will not.  Always remember that they are live animals and require proper feeding, care, and veterinary services.  Also, don't forget that they will soon mature into adult animals.  Check with your city. Many cities have ordinances prohibiting poultry within the city limits.  Rabbits should be neutered if they are going to be kept as pets.  This will prevent unnecessary breeding and unwanted bunnies.