Pets and Food Safety
Keeping any pet poses a variety of health risks regardless of whether that pet is a dog, cat, bird, or reptile.
Dogs & Cats (Salmonella)
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- Salmonella can be isolated from healthy dogs and cats at rates of up to 36% and 18%, respectively.
- Dogs and cats tend to shed Salmonella organisms for very prolonged periods of time after infection.
- Dogs and especially cats can shed Salmonella organisms in both their faeces and saliva, meaning that transmission can occur via licking.
- Pig ear dog treats may be a source of Salmonella infection for both dogs and humans that handle the treats.
- Dogs and cats may suffer salmonellosis as a "reverse zoonosis," with infection transmitted from human-to-dog and subsequently back to other humans.
- Similarly, outbreaks of Salmonella infections in large animal teaching hospitals have been linked to the introduction of bacteria from infected human personnel, with subsequent spread from infected animals back to other human workers.
Persons should always wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling cats, dogs and other domestic animals.
The role of other domestic animals:
- The faeces of virtually any animal may be a potential source of Salmonella.
- ill and/or hospitalized horses and cattle are potential sources of Salmonella
- Hedgehogs have been associated with Salmonella
- Contact with baby chicks has been specifically associated with infection of humans with Salmonella ("Easter chick" outbreaks).
Campylobacter
Dogs may be playing a significant role in the high incidence of food poisoning attributed to campylobacter infection.Campylobacter is the main cause of food poisoning in the UK. Chickens are generally assumed to be the primary cause, but Professor Hugh Pennington has now asserted that, with up to 50% of pet dogs carrying the bacteria, there is a strong possibility that they are a major cause of human infection.
Approximately 5.3 million UK households own dogs. If research supports the Professor's concerns, serious efforts should be made to ensure the importance of thorough handwashing after petting dogs is communicated widely and has a more prominent place in training and educational initiatives relating to food hygiene.
Reptiles & Exotic pets
90% of exotic reptiles are reported to carry Salmonella.
Reptile associated Salmonellosis does pose a risk to anyone that keeps or handles reptiles and amphibians. According to the Center for Disease Control(CDC) their projected data shows a significant increase in Salmonella cases over the last 10 years. While some of this increase can be attributed to advances in technology, improved reporting systems, and increased physician awareness, a significant rise is due to the increased popularity of keeping reptiles and amphibians as pets. Based on CDC supplied data its becomes obvious that the threat posed by keeping reptiles and amphibians is much less significant than the risks associated with owning either dogs or cats. By following the CDC recommendations below you should dramatically decrease the risk of infection to yourself and your family.
Center For Disease Control Recommendations
- Pet store owners, veterinarians, and pediatricians should provide information to owners and potential purchasers of reptiles about the risk for acquiring Salmonellosis from reptiles.
- Persons should always wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling reptiles or reptile cages.
- Persons at increased risk for infection or serious complications of Salmonellosis (e.g., children aged less than 5 years and immunocompromised persons) should avoid contact with reptiles.
- Pet reptiles should be kept out of households where children aged less than 5 years or immunocompromised persons live. Families expecting a new child should remove the pet reptile from the home before the infant arrives.
- Pet reptiles should not be kept in child care centers.
- Pet reptiles should not be allowed to roam freely throughout the home or living area.
- Pet reptiles should be kept out of kitchens and other food-preparation areas to prevent contamination. Kitchen sinks should not be used to bathe reptiles or to wash their dishes, cages, or aquariums. If bathtubs are used for these purposes, they should be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected with bleach.
- Education is the key to a safe and enjoyable hobby of keeping reptiles and amphibians.