The most
common bacteria for concern in the pet industry are strains of salmonella which can cause
salmonella poisoning (salmonellosis) and enteritis (inflamed intestine).
Although dogs seem to handle most bacteria fairly well, immune compromised dogs
and humans are at risk. It is for this reason that a large dog food
company called Diamond Pet Foods recently put out a recall on a large number of their
products. As I have been travelling (I moved home to Canada this
weekend) I was not aware of this recall until I received a phone call from my
local Costco. Kirkland, the Costco brand of dog food and Taste of the Wild,
have been included in the recall that is affecting hundreds of pets, owners and
retailers across North America. A detailed account of this recall can be found
at Food Safety News which also
includes the extensive list of brands and affected products. This salmonella
outbreak, as of today, has put 14 people in the hospital.
Keep in mind when reading this article that all the brands listed in
this recall come from ONE plant in South Carolina. I find it interesting and
certainly not surprising, that one plant can be producing food for so many
various type of branded dog food.
The main
problem associated with salmonella is that while the healthy immune system of a
dog can handle salmonella, they could become subclinical carriers. When dogs
ingest salmonella they either succumb to salmonellosis (click here for symptoms)
or propel the bacteria through their digestive tract (the case in most dogs). A
healthy dog will attack salmonella in the large intestine with a combination of
cell mediated immune factors and gut-friendly bacteria. These molecules
prohibit the salmonella from multiplying and expel it in the feces. It is for
this reason that most healthy dogs will test positive for salmonella cultures.
A
subclinical dog will not be able to entirely rid itself of the salmonella
bacteria, thus continually shedding the strain in its feces, mucous and saliva.
This poses a problem for two reasons; one, humans (especially children and
seniors) are at a higher risk of ingesting the shedded bacteria and two, if
this subclinical dog comes under stress, its body may become overwhelmed by the
bacteria and fall ill.
Sounds
scary right? Well it is and it isn't. The fact is that most of us have been
working with salmonella our entire lives without realizing it. Due to our
health and hygienic practices (such as washing your hands after picking up dog
poo) we manage the bacteria in our lives and if ingested, rely on our immune
systems and gut bacteria to fight off infection. With that in mind, I've
composed a list of food safety practices to use when handling your dogs food.
· always wash your hands after
handling any dog food
· refrigerate all fresh foods used
to feed your dog and discard untouched food.
· if you have children be diligent
about cleaning up after your dog and removing food bowls after feeding (this is
really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to children and dogs)
· wash your dogs bowl, serving
utensils and other preparatory equipment after every use with hot, soapy water.
· store dry foods properly. Keep in
cool locations or in the freezer. Limit oxygen exposure. Discard untouched food
or kibble that is wet or warm (a breeding ground for salmonella)
· if you're worried about bacterial
contamination in meat that you are feeding ,flash fry the outer surface or dip
in boiling water
· listen to your dog, if he or she
seems sick, go to your veterinarian!
Although
raw food diets typically get a bad rap for exposing your dog and family to
harmful bacteria, the truth is that bacteria are everywhere. Using common sense
and practical methods will help ensure the levels of bacteria stay below a dangerous
level and keep your family safe.
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