What is campylobacter infection?
Campylobacter infection or Campylobacterosis is a bacterial intestinal infection cased by Campylobacter jejuni. It is a major cause of human bacterial enteritis, although it is a normal bacterium in the intestinal tract of many animals and birds.
Poultry and meat products are the main sources of human Campylobacter infection. Infection is acquired by ingesting contaminated raw milk, undercooked chicken or poultry, or other food contaminated during preparation.
Can my dog get Campylobacterosis?
Research has shown that Campylobacter organisms can be isolated from both healthy and sick dogs. This suggests that the organism is not a primary cause of illness in the dog. Since Campylobacterosis does occur in the dog and has a zoonotic potential (ability to cause disease in man) it should be considered as a possible source of infection for humans. If you are concerned about Campylobacterosis, please consult your veterinarian or your medical adviser. Less than six percent of human cases have been confirmed to originate from a dog. It is important to note that the significance of dogs as a source for human infection is not clear, and to reiterate that the most common source of infection in humans is contaminated poultry and meat products.
What are the clinical signs of Campylobacter infection?
Watery to mucoid diarrhea, abdominal cramping or pain, lethargy, and fever are all reported as symptoms. The diarrhea may last a week or more and often relapses suddenly after the dog appears to have recovered.
How is Campylobacter infection diagnosed?
Campylobacter infection is usually diagnosed by laboratory examination of a fecal sample. A fecal culture and sensitivity test is normally required to make a definitive diagnosis. This test is often performed in chronic, persistent or severe cases of diarrhea that have not responded to conventional treatments.
How is Campylobacterosis treated?
The bacterium that causes Campylobacterosis, Campylobacter jejuni, is resistant to many antibiotics. Based on your dog’s fecal culture and sensitivity results, appropriate treatment will be prescribed. Although antibiotics may not shorten the duration of illness, they will reduce the number of bacteria excreted in the stool, thereby reducing the risk of infection to other pets or members of the household.
What can I do to prevent the spread of Campylobacter infection if my dog has been diagnosed?
The best prevention is good hygienic practices such as removing feces from your yard on a regular basis, cleaning any soiled areas in your house, and laundering your dog’s bedding frequently. It is essential to ensure thorough hand-washing after handling an infected dog. Discourage an infected dog from licking people’s faces, particularly those of young children.
Based on material written by Ernest Ward, DVM. and modified with permission from Lifelearn Inc.
© Copyright 2005 Lifelearn Inc.
