The risk of salmonellae shedding by dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets.
Twenty-eight research dogs were enrolled to determine the prevalence of salmonellae shedding after consumption of 1 Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diet meal. Sixteen dogs were exposed to Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets and 12 to Salmonella-free commercial raw food diets. Seven of the exposed dogs shed salmonellae 1-7 days after consumption of Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets. None of the dogs fed Salmonella-free diets shed salmonellae. No clinical signs were observed in either group. Five of the 7 dogs shed the same serotypes as those recovered from food samples used for feeding. Results showed the same serotypes and antimicrobial resistance pattern in 2 of the 7 shedders. 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.
Finley
Rita
R
Foodborne, Waterborne and Zoonotic Infections Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, 160 Research Lane Unit 206, Guelph, Ontario N1G 5B2.
Ribble
Carl
C
Aramini
Jeff
J
Vandermeer
Meredith
M
Popa
Maria
M
Litman
Marcus
M
Reid-Smith
Richard
R
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D015047:Zoonoses