Comments on: Pediatricians’ group urges parents to pass on ‘exotic’ pets — like hamsters

By: straybaby

straybaby — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:54:54 +0000

They ran this story on the evening news here. {sigh}

By: JenniferJ

JenniferJ — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:05:42 +0000

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.

By: Shalea

Shalea — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:51:32 +0000

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?

By: Janeen

Janeen — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:11:32 +0000

Just further proof that most experts - really aren’t experts.

By: C.L.H.

C.L.H. — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:51:28 +0000

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!

By: straybaby

straybaby — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:40:50 +0000

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!

By: H. Houlahan

H. Houlahan — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:46:30 +0000

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.

By: Brent

Brent — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:32:36 +0000

“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.