Evaluation of Pet‐Related Management Factors and the Risk of Salmonella spp. Carriage in Pet Dogs from Volunteer Households in Ontario (2005–2006)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine pet-related management factors that may be associated with the presence of Salmonella spp. in feces of pet dogs from volunteer households. From October 2005 until May 2006, 138 dogs from 84 households in Ontario were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study. Five consecutive daily fecal samples were collected from each dog and enrichment culture for Salmonella spp. was performed. A higher than expected number of the dogs (23.2%; 32/138) had at least one fecal sample positive for Salmonella, and 25% (21/84) of the households had at least one dog shedding Salmonella. Twelve serotypes of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica were identified, with the predominant serotypes being Typhimurium (33.3%; 13/39), Kentucky (15.4%; 6/39), Brandenburg (15.4%; 6/39) and Heidelberg (12.8%; 5/39). Univariable logistic regression models were created with a random effect for household to account for clustering. Statistically significant risk factors for a dog testing positive included having contact with livestock, receiving a probiotic in the previous 30 days, feeding a commercial or homemade raw food diet, feeding raw meat and eggs, feeding a homemade cooked diet, and having more than one dog in the household. In two-variable models that controlled for feeding raw food, the non-dietary variables were no longer statistically significant. These results highlight the potential public health risk of including raw animal products in canine diets.

Serovars, bacteriophage types and antimicrobial sensitivities associated with salmonellosis in dogs in the UK (1954–2012)

“…Feeding raw meat is an important risk factor Lefebvre and others 2008, Leonard and others 2011). Lateral transmission between dogs occurs by the faecal-oral route, but appears to be less important than dietary or environmental sources of infection, except during outbreaks of clinical disease in kennels or veterinary hospitals (Prescott 1975, Ketaren and others 1981).…”

Risk reduction and management strategies to prevent transmission of infectious disease among dogs at dog shows, sporting events, and other canine group settings

“…[84][85][86] Recommendation: All dogs in group settings should be fed a standard commercial diet that has been processed to reduce or eliminate foodborne bacteria (eg, heating, irradiation, or high pressure pasteurization) or a thoroughly cooked homemade diet to decrease the risk of spreading enteric pathogens (category IB).…”

Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Contaminated Dry Dog and Cat Food, 2006–2008

“…Prevalence of isolation of Salmonella from feces of healthy dogs is reported to be between 1% and 36%, and from healthy cats between 1% and 18%. 10,11 Dogs and cats may shed Salmonella in the feces for as long as 12 weeks, and shedding may be intermittent, 11 so the risk of infection could continue for extended periods.…”