Ok, this sounds crazy to me but need your expertise. Mustache is our classroom pet. I have heard that one of my moms told someone that when she took her daughter to the doctor for a respiration problem the first question he asked was, "Has your daughter been around a snake?" I have a hard time believing that a Dr. would ask that first. So just for my knowledge if this becomes an issue - Can snakes cause respiration problems? Mustache crawls all over me, the students and the room. Thanks again, Penny

Thats the first time I have ever heard anything like THAT!
In fact many people originally get into reptile pets because they have allergies to the dander of mammals that reptiles lack!
I would be very interested in hearing just what they were basing that question on.
The only thing I can even remotely guess at might be a reaction to the bedding used, not the snake itself.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Well, since we use newspaper that shouldn't be an issue. I'm just waiting to see if she's going to try to cause trouble. The kids would not be happy - they love their Mustache.

Sounds like a parent trying to make trouble.

What doctor asks that!

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I would ask to see a doctors note stating that the snake is causing the respitory issues with the child. I find it hard to believe that a doctor would sign a note to something that has never been a proven issue, lol. As Merlin stated earlier, maybe the bedding, however you stated that you use newspaper. So I am going with the notion that the childs mother does not like the fact that you have a snake in the classroom. Thats a shame....

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

The only thing I have ever heard about reptiles causing a reperatory problem is in new born infants. Our pediatritian told us we had to move our collection to the other room and clean before we brought the baby home because the airbourne skin particles from when the snake sheds can cause a resperatory problem because their lungs are so young. It is all entirely possible that this girl may be allergic to the same airbourne skin particles, but if that is the case, their isn't much she can do, except maybe try to get an inhailer.

-Special K

Hmm... But I bet we free-roaming humans shed far more skin particles than a caged snake... I guess I don't buy your doctor's statement, lol. But then, I'm a known trouble-maker in several states.

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Amy

I have never seen any evidence of any airborn skin particles and I have been keeping numerous snakes for several years! Mammals, and birds, slough off their skin in small particles, but not snakes. Their skin doesn't behave that way. Their skin is shed in its entirety.
Now I can see warning people with very young children about salmonella but not any mysterious flying skin!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Allergic to a snake? That's a new one on me. I'm willing to bet the mother is afraid of snakes and trying to force you to get rid of it.

I'd ask for the doctor's note too - then call the doctor to confirm and check their sources.

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Yeah, I thought it was pretty bogus too. The worst part of it is that the only snake that was in the room where the crib went was my pride and joy baby central american/red tail hybrid. When we moved him to the room with the others he got mites and died from the infestation. I was so ****ed at the doctor for telling us to move him, but my mother in law forced me to move the snake after the doctor told us that. She was so worried that the snakes would give the baby a respiratory problem and all I was thinking about was the immanent doom impending of the mites. I should have went with my gut and told them all to deal with it.