[Risks of nontraditional pets]

RISKS OF NON-TRADITIONAL PETS. Children's contact with animals other than dogs and cats (non-traditional pets) can put them at risk. The popularity of these NTP is constantly increasing, whether in the family home (reptiles, amphibians, small rodents, etc.) or in public places (educational farms, mini-farms, zoos, pet shops, aquariums, etc.). These risks are increased in young children aged under 5 years due to their greater vulnerability, their unawareness of the risk of trauma or infection, and their natural behavior of always putting their hands in their mouth; the recommendation to wash their hands being inadequate. The examples are numerous: rat and Seoul hantavirus, hamster and lymphocytic choriomeningitis, bird and Chlamydia psittaci, ruminants and enterohemorrhagic colibacillosis, rodents, poultry or reptiles and salmonellosis... Often the animal is an asymptomatic carrier and will not be suspected by the owner who will not inform the doctor, unaware of the existence of a particular animal presence in an anamnesis when faced with a sick child.