Debbie:  Sorry if I wasn't clear.  Yes, cats and dogs can carry
salmonellosis too.  It is exceptionally rare in animals that don't go
outside or don't eat raw meat.  The most common way for cats to get it is
by eating an infected bird.  Around here, sparrows are big time carriers
and cats actually can die of dehydration from it.  So mothers' words of
wisdom really do make sense: "Wash your hands WITH soap and warm water."
It amazes me to notice how many adults don't do this.  Recent studies have
shown that handwashing among men after using the bathroom (a public
bathroom) is as low as 43%.  Women average somewhere around 75%.  As a
society, we seem to have forgotten about some very basic public health
issues.

: )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC  email: [log in to unmask]   : )
: )HSR & Health Educational Consultant        voice/fax: 541 753 7340    : )
: )LLLLLLLLLLLLL**CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!**LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL : )