Four Dog Food Companies Issue Recalls Amid Salmonella Fears

 Posted on February 25, 2018 in Food poisoning attorney

When a pet suffers from food poisoning, every member of the household is at risk of becoming ill. Recently, four pet food brands issued recalls of their products after reports linked them to a Salmonella outbreak. Six pets died or became ill after consuming the pet food products. Two children also became ill, though it is not currently known if this was because the children consumed the pet food or if they became ill from being exposed to the pathogens in the food.

Although a pet owner cannot file a personal injury claim on behalf of his or her pet, the owner can file a claim for personal property damage to cover the animal's veterinary bills if the pet becomes ill due to a pet food seller or producer's negligence. When a human becomes ill after harmful bacteria enters the home through pet food, he or she may recover compensation for damages through a food poisoning claim.

Salmonella Symptoms in Pets

Salmonella symptoms in dogs and cats are similar to the symptoms humans experience when they consume the bacteria. These symptoms include:

• Diarrhea;
• Vomiting;
• Fever;
• Dehydration;
• Weight loss;
• Shock;
• Abnormal discharge; and
• Skin disease.

If your pet exhibits one or more of the above symptoms, seek veterinary care as soon as possible. The veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection and take a stool sample to determine the exact cause of your pet's illness.

A Salmonella Outbreak in Pet Food is a Human Health Concern

A pet can consume Salmonella bacteria without showing symptoms of the contamination. The bacteria can be transferred to humans and make them ill regardless of whether the animal shows infection symptoms. Salmonella is often found in the intestinal tracts of the farm animals used to produce pet food, like cattle and chickens. Usually, adults with healthy immune systems are not affected by the Salmonella they come into contact with. Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and individuals with compromised immune systems can become ill from Salmonella in food, however.

Pet owners are advised to avoid feeding their pets raw food. Cooking food thoroughly kills the harmful bacteria within it. Pet owners should also keep themselves informed about the latest safety recalls for pet foods and other pet products. Staying informed about these recalls can save a beloved pet's life.

Work with an Experienced Itasca Food Poisoning Attorney

When salmonella enters your home, it poses a health risk to you and your family. If you or your child have suffered from salmonella or another type of food poisoning and you experienced financial damages as a result, you can seek compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. Contact our team of experienced food poisoning lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP today to set up your initial consultation with us. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Dan Gold)