[PyrNet-L] Chat, Health: Salmonella & pig's ears...

[Michaelene Sullivan <innerpuppie@30below.com>]

Just picked this up off my GSD list...
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SALMONELLA, PIG'S EAR DOG TREATS - CANADA (ALBERTA)

Health Canada has recently become aware of 16 cases of
_Salmonella_
infection where infected individuals may have come into contact
with
these
bacteria by directly handling pig's-ear dog treats.
Investigations by
health authorities in the province of Alberta and at Health
Canada have
linked some of these cases to products made by Farm Meats Canada
Ltd,
Alberta. The pig's-ear dog treats in question are distributed
widely in
Canada. At this time, Health Canada cannot specify the brand
names of
the
affected treats since many are sold in bulk. Further
investigations are
underway to determine how widespread infections associated with
this
product have become.

Because the problem may not be limited to a single manufacturer,
as a
general precaution, members of the public are advised to wash
their
hands
thoroughly with warm water and soap after contact with pig's-ear
dog
treats. It is advised that people with a particular risk of
infection,
particularly children, the elderly and people who are
immunodeficient,
should not handle pig's-ear dog treats. Furthermore, children,
particularly, should be reminded never to put products intended
for
consumption by pets into their mouths and to wash their hands
after
playing with animals.

Symptoms of _Salmonella_ infection usually include diarrhea,
abdominal
pain, nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting. Children, elderly
persons and
people with depressed immune systems may be at risk of more
serious
illness and should consult their doctors if symptoms persist for
more
than a few hours.

[If the level of _Salmonella_ is high enough for the health
authorities
to warn people to take extra precautions of hand washing, then
dogs
should not be receiving them as treats as dogs are susceptible to

_Salmonella_.
Although there is some debate among veterinarians regarding how
sensitive dogs are, the issue is the health authorities should
have
recommended discontinuing the  treats until the problem is
resolved. -

Please forward

--
Michaelene & Savannah Leigh, spaniel busy body,
Tony III, GSD protector & Willow, Pyrenean guardian.

To a dog..."If there is no God for thee,
then there is no God for me."  A.H. Branch

My puppers: http://www.30below.com/~innerpuppie/puppers
Tony II at the Bridge: http://www.bargraph.com/tony