Don't touch any pig ear treats or feed them to your dog, the FDA and CDC say
Source: CNN, CDC
Dog owners, if you've been waiting to give up your pet's pig ears, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that now is the time. A warning about a multistate salmonella outbreak tied to the treats has been updated to include all pig ear products.
Here is what you need to know, as posted from the CDC
A total of 127 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 33 states.
26 ill people (30%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
24 illnesses (21%) are among children younger than 5 years.
Epidemiologic, laboratory and traceback evidence indicates that contact with pig ear dog treats from many different suppliers is the likely source of this outbreak.
State health and regulatory officials in several states and the FDA have tested pig ear dog treats at various suppliers and identified many different strains of Salmonella.
No single supplier, distributor or common brand of pig ear treats has been identified that could account for all the illnesses.
This is why CDC and FDA are now advising people to not buy or feed any pig ear dog treats to pets.
Symptoms of Salmonella Infection
- Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12 to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria.
- The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
- In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other places in the body.
- Children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
Advice to Dog Owners
Do not feed any pig ear treats to your dog. Throw them away in a secure container so that your pets and other animals can’t eat them.
Even if some of the pig ears were fed to your dog and no one got sick, do not continue to feed them to your dog.
Wash containers, shelves, and areas that held any pig ear dog treats with hot, soapy water. Be sure to wash your hands after handling any of these items.
I fed pig ears to my dog. How do I know if I have a Salmonella infection?
People with a Salmonella infection may have diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Most people recover without treatment. If you have symptoms of a Salmonella infection talk to your healthcare provider.
How do I know if my dog has Salmonella infection?
Some dogs with Salmonella infection may not look sick. Dogs with a Salmonella infection usually have diarrhea (which may be bloody). Sick animals may seem more tired than usual, and may vomit or have a fever.
If your dog or cat has these signs of illness, or you are concerned that your pet may have Salmonella infection, please contact your pet’s veterinarian.
How can I report my dog’s illness if I think it’s related to pig ears?FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal
| 
