Hi, I have recently strated to give my bunch some raw meat and they all love it.However, this morning I received an e.mail saying that feeding raw can lead to dogs catching campylobacter and now I am worrying about giving them raw meat.

Can anyone put my mind at ease please?

Given that dogs are susceptible to campylobacter then I would think it is possible if not highly likely. It is one of the common causes of illness in the human and we cook our meat but perhaps not well enough in some cases.

my puppy had campylobacter she wasnt fed on raw,it happen with her after she had her first injection,then carrired on for six week she still will not put weight on easy like my other fcr,

she was put on the wrong abc tablets at the time,

Yes indeed, they could pick it up anywhere, only need to sample something they find on a walk, in the garden or in the waste bin and they could catch it, it is a very common disease of the digestive tract.  As it is extremely common in chickens then one would think that both birds and vermin that are often seen around where chickens are kept that they are frequent carriers too, dogs will sample carrion they find so that is also a way they could pick it up.

Have a look at the BritBarf site - you will find a huge amount of information on there about raw feeding and there are many very knowledgeable and experienced members who can help out with any questions you may have :)

Hi,

Totally agree with Harley, the BritBarf site is very knowledgable and helpful.

I feed raw and several yrs ago my GSD contracted Campylobacter but the Vet thinks it was from dirty puddle water that we had running around the farm. My other 2 dogs were fed exactly the same food as our GSD and they didn't, thankfully contract it but were kept well away from her because it's very contagious. It's a horrible illness and it took our girl a good 10 days to recover from it.

Hi,

Thank you all very much for your replies. I guess it is as easy to catch it while out for a run.

Yep it can be just one of those unlucky things. I have been giving mine raw meat for 6 years now and must have been  lucky as none of them have had any major digestive upsets.(Apart from one who pinched a bag of chocolate chip cookies LOL)

There is no need to worry unduly about campy in a healthy dog, I have fed raw for 7 years and not had one incidence of it.

Hi,

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but i have had dogs all my life and have never heard of campy illness, can you please tell me more about it?

Thanks

It is extremely common in humans and causes V & D, less common in dogs and causes the same problems, the main result is dehydration that can and does kill.

Oh right, but i take it you would only know of cause of the V & D  from  having blood tests.

Thanks nova

No, stool samples, not blood tests.

Campylobacter is a zoonosis, so people treating dogs with D&V should be very careful with hygeine, especially if there are children in the house.

echo that, my son caught it as a grown up and after samples and questioning the doctor thought he had caught it from clearing seagull droppings without the correct protective gear.

Campylobacter are bacteria that cause the most common food-borne disease in Britain. Approximately 35,000 cases are reported annually.

It's found in the gastrointestinal tracts of domestic pets and wild animals and birds, including poultry. Large numbers of Campylobacter are commonly found in broiler chickens. Unpasteurised milk and water contaminated by animal faeces and shellfish are also known sources of infection.

Campylobacter may be transmitted to humans in the following ways:

Eating contaminated foods which are not processed before eating or which have not been thoroughly cooked.
Cross-contamination from raw food via kitchen utensils, chopping boards, surfaces and ready-to-eat items.
Direct contact with infected animals such as puppies and kittens with diarrhoea.
Drinking contaminated water or contaminated, untreated milk.
From:
http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=57&pageNumber=10

Hygeine is paramount when dealing with raw food, especially if done inside. I have a seperate set of utensils, cloths etc for this and disinfect all surfaces thoroughly, and scrub hands after each feed-time :) though mostly I use a worktop in the shed for preparing the dogs' meals, on occasion (when cold) have done it in doors :) Fed raw for a number of years now and, *touch wood*, never infected anyone or dogs :)