Listeria can affect your pets says SPCA

WHILE much of the focus of the listeriosis outbreak has centered around safety measures and what not to eat, concern has now begun to mount over the health of pets.

Accordingto the Durban & Coast SPCA, dogs can be infected with listeria by the same sources as humans, including infected meats and dairy product as well as contaminated dog food.

While the Durban & Coast SPCA’s chief veterinarian, Dr Gilson Muchopa, advised that no cases of infected pets have been reported as yet, pet owners still needed to be cautious.

Read also: Listeriosis outbreak: 5 key steps to eating ‘safer’

“Older dogs and sick dogs are definitely more at risk to listeria than healthy dogs. Puppies are also at high risk due to low immunity. Although animals can be affected by listeriosis, they have strong immunity to the bacteria and therefore some pets may not even show any signs of listeriosis. If your pet shows any sign of the infection, you should take your pet for an examination at your local vet. In cases where a pet falls ill, it can be treated with antibiotics. We advise that you do not give your pets any raw meat or dairy products as it may be contaminated with the bacteria,” Muchopa said.

On Thursday last week, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said eight additional Listeriosis cases had been reported in the past week.

Read also: Eight new Listeriosis cases recorded since Saturday

Processed meat products such as polony, viennas, russians, frankfurters, sausages and cold meat products were listed as no go zones by the Minister.

What symptoms should pet owners look out for

Fever
Nausea associated with vomiting and diarrhea
Lethargy
In extreme cases, weakness, facial nerve paralysis, neck stiffness and in some cases miscarriages.

For more news from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follows us Instagram.