VMD 513: Pet animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

SALMONELLOSIS

• Salmonellosis is a bacterial disease that most commonly causes enteritis (inflammation of the intestines), septicemia (systemic disease due to the presence of bacteria or their toxin in the bloodstream) and abortions.
• It is not uncommon for the infected individual to be a subclinical carrier, which is a carrier with no symptoms.
• Salmonellosis is caused by any one of more than 2000 serotypes (subtypes) of the Salmonellae bacteria. It is seen in both dogs and cats.
• In dogs, clinical disease is most commonly seen in immature puppies and pregnant bitches

Diagnosis

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Biochemical profile
• Urinalysis
• Fecal flotation
• Platelet count
• Screening thoracic (chest) and abdominal radiographs (X-rays)
• Fecal Culture
• Blood Culture

Treatment

• Depending on the severity of clinical signs, treatment options may include out patient care or may necessitate hospitalization.
• Affected individuals are contagious, and should be kept in isolation and handled carefully.
• Food restriction may be recommended for those patients with severe gastrointestinal signs.
• Supportive care, to include fluid and electrolyte therapy,  and/or intestinal adsorbents and protectants, may be indicated.
• Antibiotic therapy may be indicated in certain cases, but contraindicated in others.