Salmonella

salmonella

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause disease in humans, dogs, cats, and other animals. It can cause a variety of symptoms, commonly vomiting and/or diarrhea, but also severe infections and septicemia. It can also cause abscesses, meningitis, bone infections, and abortion.

Salmonella is found worldwide and is commonly associated with contaminated food, reptiles, and birds. Epidemics of salmonellosis in migrating songbirds in the spring can create disease in bird-hunting cats. Most, if not all, reptiles carry Salmonella in their intestines, and occasionally shed it in their feces. The bacteria usually do not cause disease in reptiles, but a growing number of Salmonella infections each year in people can be traced to pet reptiles. It is virtually impossible to eliminate Salmonella from pet reptiles.

Rarely, contamination of commercial dog food or treats with Salmonella has occurred. More common, a popular fad diet of feeding raw food for dogs and cats has caused illness in pets and the people in the household. A study showed that families that fed raw food to their pets had a much higher incidence of salmonellosis in the people.

Contaminated human food can also be a source of Salmonella, especially raw eggs, chicken, and undercooked meat. Even lettuce, fruits and vegetables have been incriminated. Food can become contaminated if someone infected with Saclmonella handles it without washing his or her hands.

Treatment of salmonellosis in the milder cases may just involve oral antibiotics. More severe cases will need hospitalization with intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Recovering patients may shed the bacteria in the stool for six weeks or longer.

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Modified Covid Schedule

Monday:

9:00 am

6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am

6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am

6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am

6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am

6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Sunday:

10:00 am

4:00 pm

Testimonial

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "I have been going to ABC animal clinic now known as piedmont Hills animal hospital for over eight years. The owner Dr saved both of my dogs life's they were both attacked by other dogs. Without him they would not be alive to this day. Although I have moved to Walnut Creek area I still go to Piedmont Hills animal hospital for anything check ups toenails cutting shots etc."
    Eileen Coen- P.