By Centers For Disease Control
The Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration have issue an advisory regarding pig ear dog treats. Pig ear dog treats have been linked to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella illness.
CDC and FDA are now advising people not to buy or feed any pig ear dog treats, including any already in homes, to dogs because they could be contaminated with Salmonella.
Handling these treats could make people sick; eating the treats could make dogs sick.
Product testing has identified many different strains of Salmonella in pig ears from various brands and suppliers.
Information collected to date about where ill people bought pig ears has not identified a single supplier, distributor or common brand of pig ear treats.
Since the last update on July 17, 2019, 34 ill people have been added to this investigation.
One-hundred and twenty-seven ill people have been reported from 33 states, including 26 people who have been hospitalized.
No deaths have been reported.
Do not feed pig ears to your dog. Throw them away in a secure container so that your pets and other animals can’t eat them.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling pet food or treats, including pig ears.
This investigation is ongoing and CDC will provide more information as it becomes available.
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12-72 hours after eating contaminated food.
The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.
See your healthcare provider if you are concerned about symptoms, such as a high fever (temperature over 102˚F), blood in your poop, diarrhea, or frequent vomiting that prevents keeping liquid down.
More information on pet food safety can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/publications/pet-food-safety.html.
If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.
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