Bacteria of the Salmonella genus, when overgrown in a dog's intestines, cause the infectious disease salmonellosis. A dog fed a BARF diet has a stomach pH of 0.5 – 1, which is low enough to kill these pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, a healthy dog with good immunity has a low chance of contracting salmonella. Although salmonella is not one of the most common diseases in dogs, it can occur.
Transmission
A dog can become infected by eating various types of meat that were improperly stored or contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, especially poultry, raw eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products. In large-scale poultry farming in Slovakia, all birds are vaccinated against salmonellosis and other diseases, making the transmission of salmonella to humans or dogs unlikely. Additionally, the meat in our online store is regularly inspected by veterinarians, minimizing the risk of infection.
Symptoms
If a dog is not entirely healthy and ingests a high infectious dose of salmonella, various symptoms may manifest. The most common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, mucus in the stool, fever, lethargy, dehydration, weight loss, miscarriage, swollen lymph nodes, rapid heartbeat, and joint swelling. In some dogs, typical symptoms may not appear, and these dogs are referred to as carriers, shedding Salmonella bacteria into the environment through their excrement. In chronic infections, salmonella can cause fever, alternating between diarrhea and normal stools, and weight loss.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Since the symptoms can be similar to other canine diseases, a stool or blood culture is necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Once the correct diagnosis is confirmed, and the sensitivity of the specific Salmonella strain to antibiotics is determined, the dog is treated with appropriate antibiotics. In severe cases involving dehydration, hospitalization and intravenous fluids may be necessary.
A BARF diet and feeding raw meat do not automatically lead to salmonella infection. Dogs fed a BARF diet naturally have a more acidic stomach environment compared to dogs fed kibble, meaning they are more effective at killing pathogenic microorganisms. To prevent salmonellosis in your dog, make sure to buy meat only from a trusted supplier. Quality and inspected meat for your dog can also be found in our online store.
