Salmonella poisoning is a very serious condition that can make a dog not only miserable, but has the potential to be deadly. It is important to get an infected dog treatment right away and to prevent this food poisoning from being passed along to others.
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Causes and Symptoms
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A dog can get salmonella poisoning in a number of ways, including eating raw or uncooked meat or eggs, accessing rotten food in a trash can or coming into contact with a bird feeder or bird feces (song birds often carry salmonella bacteria).
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning in dogs include diarrhea and vomiting, fever, dehydration and weakness, but there are many other possible side effects. If it is suspected that a dog has food poisoning, a trip to the veterinarian is order. The vet can perform tests on the dog's feces, vomit, blood or saliva in order to determine if it has salmonella poisoning. More importantly, the vet can begin treating the dog right away.
Treatment and Prevention
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Antibiotics may be prescribed to the dog, but are usually only recommended for dogs that are very sick with severe poisoning. This is because there is a risk of the bacteria developing a resistance to the antibiotics. If they are prescribed, it is important that the dog be given the doses exactly as directed, and that it gets all of the medication, even if its symptoms have gone away.
Other treatment possibilities include intravenous fluids, lactulose, or a salmonella antiserum, but the dog's veterinarian can help determine the best course of treatment, depending on the particular dog and how bad its food poisoning may be. The dog may need to be quarantined, in order to keep other pets from contracting salmonella.
As always, prevention is the best way to put a stop to salmonella poisoning. Cook meats and eggs thoroughly, and avoid unpasteurized milk products. Practice safe food preparation and keep cooking surfaces clean. Keep the dog away from bird feeders and animal feces, and make sure garbage cans are secured to prevent access to rotting foods.
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