Pediatricians’ group urges parents to pass on ‘exotic’ pets — like hamsters
By Gina Spadafori
October 6, 2008
From the AP:
Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease. [...] Young children are vulnerable because of developing immune systems plus they often put their hands in their mouths.
That means families with children younger than 5 should avoid owning “nontraditional” pets. Also, kids that young should avoid contact with these animals in petting zoos or other public places, according to the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report appears in the October edition of the group’s medical journal, Pediatrics.
I hate to disagree with the American Academy of Pediatricians, but I generally believe that we over-protect our children, and that the results of such coddling is not exactly character-building for an individual or good for the future of our country.
Instead of sweeping prohibitions on hamsters, how about a education, common sense and action on the part of parents to make sure ALL household pets are properly cared for and safely handled?
Too much to ask?
“how about education, common sense and action on the part of the parents to make sure ALL household pets are properly cared for and safely handled.”
Apparently that is too much to ask. For some reason all of these “mad mothers” groups want absolutely everything regulated to the point where we’re completely nanny-fied.
Comment by Brent — October 6, 2008 @ 8:32 am
And the stacks of peer-reviewed epidemiological studies demonstrating the juggernaut of transmission of dangerous zoonosis from hamster to child are where exactly?
I bet more kids contract salmonella from a Happy Meal than ever got it from a turtle.
“They’re vulnerable because of their ‘developing immune systems,’ so we should take all steps necessary to insure that they never do develop them. Plastic bubbles for everyone!”
Culture-induced biophobia for all!
I’m gonna go kiss a chicken now.
Comment by H. Houlahan — October 6, 2008 @ 8:46 am
Comment by H. Houlahan — October 6, 2008
Seriously! I guess this next generation will be dubbed “the anti-bacterials”.
We had all sorts of “creatures” growing up. Lizards, salamanders, iguanas, box and desert turtles, deer mice (one who got into the piano . . .) along with injured birds my mom would nurse back to health and release. We also used to collect the bird eggs that fell out of nests. It’s amazing my sister and I made it though the first 6yrs of our lives, lol!~ Oh yeah, we had cats and dogs too ;) My mom thought all these things were good for kids. OOPS!
Comment by straybaby — October 6, 2008 @ 9:40 am
Sorry, I’m not convinced! How are children supposed to develop healthy immune systems when we sterilize their environments? If you want to keep your kids healthy, back off on the air fresheners, antibacterial soaps, and let those kids go out and get dirty! (Not to mention giving them a little free time to play on their own instead of “scheduling” every moment of their day!) Pets are important for teaching nurturing, empathy, sympathy, responsibility and caring. If you don’t have room for a dog, a hamster of gerbil is great! Just make your kids wash their hands before they eat!
Comment by C.L.H. — October 6, 2008 @ 9:51 am
Just further proof that most experts - really aren’t experts.
Comment by Janeen — October 6, 2008 @ 10:11 am
So what about the studies which suggest that the reason we’re seeing such a increase in allergies and asthma is because children have been protected too much from exposure to pretty much anything? Or the ones which indicate that kids raised with pets have a lower incidence of same?
Comment by Shalea — October 6, 2008 @ 10:51 am
I wonder how much of this is a “powers that be” pushing their personal agenda issue within the organization. We have certainly seen that sort of thing happen before in other state and national organizations. Most pediatricians I personally know, including my brother-in-law, keep a variety of pets.
But the family doctor who is in charge of public health for the county has a personal vendetta against big dogs, especially rotties, pitts etc… and has tried to push his views on the county government and the county medical association. It did not fly as a lot of the docs here have dogs, including big dogs, which have not eaten anyone and the issue has been dropped for now but we keep an ear and eye out for sure.
Comment by JenniferJ — October 6, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
They ran this story on the evening news here. {sigh}
Comment by straybaby — October 6, 2008 @ 8:54 pm