Pet-food recall: First veterinary case surfaces

Oakland, Ore.

-- The first veterinary case of a dog sickened from tainted peanut products has been reported on the West Coast.

The dog, a 3-year-old mixed breed from Oakland, Ore., developed diarrhea after its owners fed it Happy Tails Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits, a treat containing peanuts from the Peanut Corp. of America that was included on the Food and Drug Administration's recall list and sold at Albertson's grocery stores.

The dog's Oakland veterinarian, Dr. Paul Gore, referred the case to the state public health veterinarian, Dr. Emilio DeBass.

Two of the three dogs in the household became ill, according to the state veterinarian's office. One tested positive for serogroup B Salmonella, the strain implicated in the current outbreak, as did the package of treats submitted by the pet owners.

The state veterinarian's office says anyone with treats included on the recall list should stop feeding them to pets immediately.

The sickened dog was treated with fluids and antibiotics and is expected to make a full recovery, according to the state veterinarian.

Other pet treats included in the recall are: Carolina Prime Peanut Butter Hooves, Rawhide Bone Peanut Rawhides, Beef Shank Peanut Butter Dog Bones and Rawhide Bone Peanut Butter Rawhides; all varieties of Grreat Choice dog biscuits; Saligs three-count packs of Healthy Hide Deli Wrap 5-inch Peanut Butter Filled Rawhides; SuperValu Happy Tails Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits and Shoppers Valu multi-flavor dog biscuits.

A total of 1,555 products have been recalled in response to the Salmonella typhimurium outbreak at a Blakely, Ga., plant owned by the Peanut Corp. of America (PCA). More than 500 people have been affected by the tainted peanut ingredients distributed by the company, according to the FDA.

PCA shut down the plant, and the FDA is conducting a criminal investigation after discovering that the company shipped products even after receiving positive Salmonella tests on the lot. PCA announced Feb 10 that is also was shutting down operations at one of its subsidiary plants in Plainview, Texas.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some show signs of decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Well animals can be carriers. Anyone with a pet that consumed a recalled product and has these symptoms, should contact a veterinarian.

Click here for more information on the recall and the FDA investigation.