I Think My Dog Has Salmonella Poisoning - What Should I Do?

There have been recent news about a dog food company that is recalling some it's dog food products because of reports of salmonella poisoning. The poisoning wasn't only passed on to the dogs but to their owners as well. So is there anything that can be done if your dog has Salmonella poisoning?

What is Salmonella?

Salmonellosis is an infection that can be found in dogs or cats that have been infected with the Salmonella virus. It is also a bacterium that is known to be transmitted to humans as well. This can cause intestinal infections among animals and humans. This can be dangerous, especially to pregnant women as it may lead to an unfortunate abortion.

Usually this sort of infection affects those dogs that have a weaker immune system. Dogs that are a bit healthier only have a mild infection. But those with a weaker immune system are more likely to get a more serious case of salmonella poisoning.

Possible Symptoms

Signs you should start to look out for are vomiting, diarrhea, (the diarrhea can either have blood in it as well and would emit a really bad odor) loss of appetite, a high fever, feelings of weakness, abdominal pain, lethargy and even depression.

Treatment and Prevention

You should take your dog to the vet in order to get him the best care that he needs. Your vet might prescribe some antibiotics to your dog if he has severe poisoning. You should give the prescribed antibiotics consistently even if you think the infection has gone away. Some dogs that have really severe cases require blood transfusions or plasma transfusions.

If your dog only has a mild case of the infection, your vet may opt to give him intravenous fluids instead. Fluids could possibly contain electrolytes (as salmonella would create an electrolyte imbalance in your dog) that should rehydrate your dog.

Of course, to prevent salmonella from ever infecting your dog, always opt to give your dog a high quality dog food. There are too many dog foods out there that may be cheap, but don't give them the proper nutrients your dog needs, so it is best to stick to trusted high quality dog foods that provide quality nutrition and ingredients. It is also recommended that you provide your dog with a quality dog vitamin. This not only prevents infection and diseases, but would also boost your dog's immune system.

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