Salmonella Contamination in Peanut Butter Treats

When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that Americans should "postpone" eating cookies, crackers, candy and ice cream that contain peanut butter or peanut paste, we knew it was only a matter of time before they included pet food products. On January 20, 2009, PetSmart Inc., the largest U.S. pet-products and services retailer, recalled seven of its Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuit products as a precaution against possible salmonella contamination because the peanut paste was produced by the Peanut Corp of America (PCA). The treats can be returned to PetSmart for a full refund.

The FDA's list of recalled peanut butter products now totals 182 items, now including pet food products.

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 491 human cases (across 43 states), of Salmonella poisoning from contaminated peanut butter products since September 14, 2008. The number of cases involving pets is still under investigation.

As a precaution, the Doctors at Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital are cautioning pet owners to avoid any dog treats containing peanut butter until further notice.

The symptoms of salmonella in dogs, cats and other pets typically arise about 72 hours after exposure to the salmonella-tainted food or secondary exposure to the salmonella bacteria. Symptoms of salmonella in cats and dogs include

• Vomiting (often with blood in the vomit)
• Diarrhea (often with blood present)
• Fever
• A refusal to eat
• Gurgling and bubbling sounds in the abdomen
• Lethargy
• Dehydration, often severe
• Drooling and panting (often a sign of nausea and/or pain in dogs and cats)

In a minority of cases, dogs and cats can experience symptoms such as arthritis-like joint pain and stiffness, urinary tract abnormalities that can lead to straining and frequent urination, along with redness and swelling involving the eyes.

*Salmonella is unusual in that it is one of the few illnesses that can be transmitted between humans and pets. So if a human is sick with salmonella, special precautions like frequent hand washing should be taken to avoid sickening pets and vice versa.

If your dog is showing symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting after consuming peanut butter treats, please call us to schedule an appointment right away. Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital is working with the state diagnostic lab at Oregon State University in an effort to identify the scope of this illness in Oregon. Please bring information regarding the brand of treat and where it was purchased to your appointment.

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues warning and recall.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports Salmonella poisoning cases.

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