Simply Photo: Bathing A Cat

Issue: Red-eared Slider Turtle and Salmonella Infection

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes food-borne illness. This illness (salmonella infection or salmonellosis) usually includes the symptoms of diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Salmonella are transmitted via consumption of contaminated food usually of animal origin like poultry, eggs and meat. Reptiles as turtles are also said to cause salmonella infection.

With a red-eared turtle, such infection is attained mostly by children through improper handling and hygienic reasons.

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Salmonella from Red-eared sliders prevention

• Keep the area of the turtle clean

 Salmonella bacteria tend to linger to a Red-eared Sliders surroundings. By keeping the area clean, risks of Salmonella infection can be lessen.

• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling a Red-eared Slider

 Washing the hands is the number one rule in keeping oneself sanitary. However, do not wash merely with water. Wash your hands with soap, scrubbing vigorously from the wrists down to your finger tips for about 20 seconds.

• Talk to your kids about salmonella infection

 Give your kids a warning about the salmonella infection and its consequences. Inform them on how to handle a red-eared the proper way (not putting them in the mouth, kissing them or cuddling them) and more importantly; be responsible in reminding them to wash their hands all the time.

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Is a Red-eared Slider Turtle Advisable For Pet?

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Red-eared Sliders can be very cute and entertaining. But, is it really OK for kids to have them as pets?

Related article:

•   Avoiding Salmonella Infection with a Red-eared Slider Turtle

How to Bathe a Siamese Cat

Cats seem to dislike water.  They usually panic with the sound of it, especially when the source is near them. Unfortunately, cats particularly those having thick or long coatings, need to take a bath occasionally when their furs become oily. Short- haired cats are required to take a bath too when they become really dirty and in cases of wounds. While bathing help cats in keeping themselves sanitary, those with wounds or skin diseases can be prevented from having infections.

In my part, I give my short-haired Siamese cat a bath once a week to keep his fur clean and smelling nice. Bathing may sound disagreeable and I had my share of scary thoughts that my cat will bite and fight his way out of it, but there are techniques in bathing a cat.

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Siamese cats are the gentlest breed of cats. While two people are usually recommended to wash a cat Siamese cats can only be bathed by one individual.

My steps are really simple and enjoyable.

Necessities:

• Lukewarm water in a basin
• Plastic cup
• Cat shampoo or soap
• Moist cloth
• Towel

The best place to wash your cat is in the bathroom.  Just make sure that everything is in place and accessible. The warm water should be ready that there is no need for additional water. The soap, moist cloth and towel should be available for use. The idea here is to do things gently yet fast.

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