Salmonella from Peanut Products found in Pets

The CDC recently announced that an Oregon dog has been diagnosed with Salmonellosis after ingesting recalled peanut butter-containing pet treats; public health officials in at least three other states report dogs with illnesses consistent with Salmonellosis after eating recalled peanut butter products. A zoonotic disease, Salmonella can be transmitted from infected pets to their families.

Dogs and cats that are ill due to Salmonella infection may have diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite and abdominal pain. Some pets, like some people, may not exhibit any signs of illness but can be carriers capable of infecting people and other pets. Salmonella is transmitted from pets to people by the fecal-oral route.

While the risk of contracting zoonotic diseases such as Salmonellosis from pets is small, PPH wants to remind clients and pet lovers that they should exercise good hygiene practices when handling pets and pet waste. To reduce the risk of contracting illnesses from pets, follow these simple guidelines:

• After contact with animal feces (stool), wash your hands well with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, then rinse and dry your hands with a paper towel.
• Clean up after your pet.  If you have a cat, scoop the litter box daily and dispose of the stool in a tightly sealed plastic bag. If you have a dog, clean up the stool while on walks or from the yard and dispose of the stool in a tightly sealed plastic bag.
• Be sure to wash your hands with soap and running water after touching or feeding your pet.
• Always supervise children to ensure that proper hygeine practices are being followed. 

For more information regarding pets and the current Salmonella typhimurium outbreak investigation, visit the CDC website.

For a list of recalled pet products containing peanuts, visit the FDA Searchable Database.

If your pet is demonstrating any signs of gastrointestinal illness after having eaten recalled peanut products, please call Priority Pet Hospital for an appointment. Salmonellosis is a treatable disease, but evaluation and care should not be delayed.