Salmonella Poisoning in Dogs, Cats and Humans

Salmonella are bacteria which can cause diseases in both humans and animals. Salmonella is found in both cold and warm blooded animals and in the environment. They cause salmonellosis but can also cause typhoid fever.
Dogs and cats can become carriers of salmonella. These bacteria can cause salmonellosis, infecting the gastrointestinal tract. Salmonella can also infect other species of animals or birds. Salmonella can be found in raw eggs, uncooked meat or poultry, milk and cheese products.
Healthy animals can protect themselves against colonization of their gastrointestinal tract by salmonella. However, when there is a disruption of the mechanisms that protect the tract, dogs and cats become infected.
Salmonella poisoning is associated with signs such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea or fever. Some dogs and cats may even die from salmonella poisoning, although the percent is rather low. Animals that become infected may be older or very young, or suffer from other diseases. Salmonellosis occurs because of contamination of food or water, toys or other objects. Raw and uncooked foods, or foods that stored improperly can also be the cause of the disease. Pet foods have sometimes been recalled due to them being contaminated with Salmonella.
A pet infected with salmonellosis can spread the infection to humans. It is one of the few diseases that can be transmitted between species. Fortunately, symptoms may disappear within one week. Nevertheless, the animal may loose a lot of fluid during this period, and its condition may deteriorate. Most cats or dogs can survive a bout of the disease, but those that are chronically ill have to be treated with great care. The earlier the treatment starts, the better chances are for your pet to recover fast and easily.
Dry pet food can be contaminated with Salmonella and as healthy pets may be just carriers, they may become an unrecognized source for human infections, especially in young children. In the United States, babies younger than one year represent the group with the highest rate of salmonellosis resulting from contamination from pets.
Pet owners that are also young parents have to pay special attention to the proper handling and storage of pet foods. Two studies that highlighted these needs were recently conducted by researchers from Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Health and FDA.
FDA discovered problems related to pet food produced in a plant in Pennsylvania in 2007 and 2008. The study examined the link between gastrointestinal illnesses in humans reported during this period. The results showed that there was a definite correlation between children that had regular contact with pets that consumed the brand of pet food under investigation. More recently, in 2009 three brands of pet treats were recalled as they were found to contain salmonella tainted peanut butter.
Pet food advertisements claim that such products offer complete and balanced nutrition. However, a growing number of veterinarians are concerned that processed pet food is the main cause of illness and premature death in dogs and cats. Processed pet food is thought to suppress the immune system and can lead to liver, kidney or heart diseases.