Pig ear treats recalled by FDA for salmonella concerns
The FDA is looking into pig ear treats that could be causing a salmonella outbreak in humans.
Pig ear treats might be a doggy snack you want to stay far away from for a long while.
Actually, you probably should do that, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), together with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), are investigating pig ear treats for causing a salmonella outbreak in humans.
Pet Supplies Plus first issued the warning on July 3, recalling all pig ear treats from their stores in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
The CDC reports at least 127 cases of humans contracting salmonella in 33 states, as of July 31. 26 of those people have been hospitalized, and many of the cases are resistant to multiple types of drugs.
The FDA says that most of the contaminated treats came from Argentina and Brazil, and some of them have come from distributor Lennox International, Inc, which has issued a general recall for eight-packs with the UPC codes 742174 995163, 742174994166, or individual packages with the UPC codes 0385384810 and 742174935107, according to a press release.
According to CNN, simply handling a pig ear treat or caring for a dog who has consumed them could be enough to contract the disease.
“No single supplier, distributor or common brand of pig ear treats has been identified that could account for all the illnesses. More products could be recalled as testing identifies salmonella,” the CDC said.
The FDA and CDC recommend not buying any pig ear treats for some time, and if you have any right now, disposing of them immediately in an animal-proof container, then washing your hands thoroughly and thoroughly disinfecting any surfaces that might have come in contact with the treats.
Signs of salmonella infection in humans include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Children, elderly people and those with weak iimmune systems are especially susceptible.
Signs of salmonella infection in pets include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite and increased fatigue.
If you suspect you or your dog might have contracted salmonella, then call your doctor or veterinarian, respectively, immediately.
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Promptly cleaning up your dog’s poop, and discouraging licking, especially around the face, are also encouraged in case the bacteria escapes through your dog’s digestive system.
To be safe, Petco has temporarily stopped selling all pig ear treats in stores and online, the company announced on their Facebook page.