UK dogs eating raw meat diets have higher risk of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli faecal carriage

Groat, EF, Williams, NJ, Pinchbeck, G ORCID: 0000-0002-5671-8623, Warner, B, Simpson, A and Schmidt, VM ORCID: 0000-0001-5460-6217 (2022) UK dogs eating raw meat diets have higher risk of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli faecal carriage JOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, 63 (6). pp. 435-441. ISSN 0022-4510, 1748-5827

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare detection of Salmonella species and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of dogs eating raw meat or non-raw diets and examine risk factors for their carriage. Materials and Methods: Canine faecal samples (raw fed n=114; non-raw fed n=76) were collected from May to July 2015 from across the UK. Enrichment and selective culture and biochemical and PCR assays were used to identify isolates. Escherichia coli underwent susceptibility testing to a range of antimicrobials, including third-generation cephalosporins; PCR assays were used to detect antimicrobial-resistant genes. Questionnaires were used to collect data on independent variables as risks for antimicrobial-resistant (resistant to ≥1 tested antimicrobial), multi-drug-resistant (resistant to ≥3 antimicrobial classes) and third-generation cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli. Results: Antimicrobial-resistant, multi-drug-resistant and third-generation cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli were significantly more likely to be detected in raw fed (54, 25 and 31%, respectively) compared to non-raw fed (17, 4 and 4%, respectively) dogs; Salmonella species were detected in eight (4%) raw fed dogs only. Clinical Significance: Raw fed dogs may be a source of Salmonella species and Escherichia coli, resistant to highest priority critically important antimicrobials, representing a potential animal welfare and public health issue. Owners should be aware of the risks, especially households with members, both human and canine, who are very young, elderly or immunocompromised.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Feces, Animals, Dogs, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Escherichia coli Infections, Cephalosporins, Anti-Infective Agents, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Diet, Drug Resistance, Bacterial, Meat, United Kingdom
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	23 Feb 2022 11:53
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 10:23
DOI:	10.1111/jsap.13488
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13488
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3149498
Disclaimer:	The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.