Evaluation of the Risks of Shedding Salmonellae and Other Potential Pathogens by Therapy Dogs Fed Raw Diets in Ontario and Alberta

@article{Lefebvre2008EvaluationOT,
  title={Evaluation of the Risks of Shedding Salmonellae and Other Potential Pathogens by Therapy Dogs Fed Raw Diets in Ontario and Alberta},
  author={Sandra L Lefebvre and Richard J. Reid-Smith and Patrick Boerlin and J. Scott Weese},
  journal={Zoonoses and Public Health},
  year={2008},
  volume={55}
}
Dogs that participate in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), often called 'therapy dogs', commonly interact with humans whose immune systems are not functioning optimally. [] Key Method Two hundred healthy therapy dogs from Ontario and Alberta were enrolled. Between May 2005 and November 2006, fecal specimens were collected from each dog every 2 months for 1 year, along with a log of places visited, antimicrobial use within the home, dog health status and diet.
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124 Citations

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54 References

The Occurrence and Anti‐microbial Susceptibility of Salmonellae Isolated from Commercially Available Pig Ear Pet Treats

The prevalence observed during this study is lower than the prevalence observed in 1999, but pig ear treats should still be considered as a possible source of Salmonella and anti‐microbial resistant bacteria to humans and dogs in Canada.

Prevalence of zoonotic agents in dogs visiting hospitalized people in Ontario: implications for infection control.

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Investigating Salmonella enterica infections at a Greyhound breeding facility suggested that several strains of S. enterica existed at the facility, but there was a high degree of relatedness among many of the Newport isolates.

Evaluation of bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs.

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Dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets can shed salmonellae and may, therefore, be a source of environmental contamination potentially leading to human or animal illness.

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Characterization of SalmonellaAssociated with Pig Ear Dog Treats in Canada

P pig ear pet treats are established as the cause of an outbreak of human disease caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis and several otherSalmonella serotypes were also isolated from pet treats, suggesting these products may be an important source of enteric infection in both humans and dogs.

Human health implications of Salmonella-contaminated natural pet treats and raw pet food.

Pet owners can reduce their risk of acquiring Salmonella organisms by not feeding natural pet treats and raw food diets to their pets, whereas individuals who investigate cases of salmonellosis or interpret surveillance data should be aware of these possible sources of Salmonelli organisms.

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Twenty-five commercial raw diets for dogs and cats were evaluated bacteriologically; however, E. coli O157 was not detected and a toxigenic strain of C. difficile was isolated from one turkey-based food.

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Resistance to vancomycin was significantly associated to methicillin, teicoplanin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol, and further investigations about enterococcal colonization and infections in community and hospital subjects are needed.
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