Dog salmonella symptoms can mimic other dog illnesses, so it is important to be aware of dog food recalls and how to recognize salmonella in dogs.
Dogs can get salmonella poisoning in a number of ways. However, the most common way that salmonella bacteria infects a dog is when the dog eats eggs or people foods.
From time to time, you are sure to hear of a pet food recall, where the contaminant is salmonella bacteria, that is found in dog food or dog treats.
Since you may not become aware of a recall, until weeks after the contaminated pet food is on retail shelves, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of salmonella in dogs.
Salmonella can be very serious (even deadly) in both people and dogs.
The simple steps outlined below will go a long way toward salmonella prevention.
Salmonella bacteria sometimes contaminates
commercial dog food and treats.
What is Salmonella?
Dog salmonella or salmonellosis in dogs is an infection that is caused by the salmonella bacteria.
In addition to eating dog foods or people food that has been contaminated, dog can become infected when eating raw chicken in the BARF diet or pig ears used as dog chews.
Yet another one of the causes of salmonella is the eating of feces that is contaminated. Because many of our dogs have this nasty habit, you should be aware that your dog can become ill with salmonella, because she does this.
Symptoms of Salmonella in Dogs
If your dog has salmonella, the symptoms typically appear 6 to 72 hours after he has eaten contaminated food.
Here are some dog salmonella symptoms that you may see:
- High fever – This is usually the very first symptom of salmonella.
- Vomiting and diarrhea – This often starts early, with the high fever.
- Lethargy – Your dog will appear to be slow and tired.
- Loss of appetite
- Depression – While this may be difficult to determine in a dog, dogs do get depressed. If your dog is normally happy, you may notice that she seems sad.
- Dehydration – This is serious in dogs, just as it is in humans.
- Mucus in the stool
- Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion – if your dog is pregnant
If you suspect that your dog has salmonella poisoning, and you notice some of these dog salmonella symptoms, make sure you have her checked out by the vet.
Your veterinarian will do some tests that will confirm or rule out salmonellosis—and will treat your dog accordingly.
Dog Salmonella Prevention
Prevention of dog salmonella is fairly easy.
Here are some things that you can do to keep your dog free from salmonella poisoning:
- Wash your hands after contact with feces. Dog or other animal feces is a major source of salmonella bacteria. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cook meat, bones or eggs that you feed to your dog. Any raw meat, but especially chicken, and eggs are common causes of salmonella poisoning.
- Don’t let your dog eat garbage, dead animals or birds. If you have bird houses or bird feeders, keep these in areas where your dog will not be spending his time.
Simple sanitation, staying aware of dog food recalls and keeping your yard free of tempting but nasty dead animals and feces, will go a long way toward preventing infection in your dog!
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