Several brands of dry pet food have been linked to a salmonella outbreak.

Diamond Pet Foods is expanding a recall of several brands of dry pet food that have been linked to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak, according to the CDC.

Veterinarian Sarah Cutler of At Home Vet Care said she had already alerted one of her owners who uses the Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul food.

“What I would advise any owner is to check the serial number of their pet food and then check the foods and serial numbers easily found online,” Cutler said. “Throw out the food, watch for signs of fever and gastrointestinal trouble in your pet, and in yourself, and contact your veterinarian or your own doctor if you have those signs.”

In fact, Cutler said, “The concern of Salmonella in pet food is as important for the owners handling the food as the pets. There are many cases of people getting sick from handling the food and not washing their hands before they eat or prepare their own food.”

According to the company’s website:

Diamond Pet Foods has voluntarily recalled some brands of dry dog and cat food that it manufactured in its Gaston, S.C., facility between Dec. 9, 2011, and April 7, 2012, due to potential Salmonella contamination. The brands that were recalled on May 4 have not tested positive for Salmonella.  The company is recalling certain batches of these brands, however, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of customers and their pets. Consumers should check this website for the production codes and best-before dates on the bags of recalled food, and discontinue feeding it. To learn whether or not the brand of dog or cat food you use is included in the recall, please select it from the list below.

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• Country Value
• Diamond
• Diamond Naturals
• Premium Edge
• Professional
• 4Health
• Taste of the Wild
• Apex
• Kirkland Signature/Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain
• Canidae

The CDC website says:

• A total of 14 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Infantis have been reported from 9 states.
• The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Connecticut (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (3), North Carolina (3), New Jersey (1), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1).
• Among the 9 patients with available information, 5 (56%) were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
• Multiple brands of dry pet food produced by Diamond Pet Foods at a single manufacturing facility in South Carolina have been linked to some of the human Salmonella infections.
• Consumers should check their homes for recalled dog food products and discard them promptly. People who think they might have become ill after contact with dry pet food or with an animal that has eaten dry pet food should consult their health care providers.

Cutler said one of the big take-home messages is to always wash your hands and remind your children to wash their hands after feeding the pets.

She also warned pet owners to be very careful of any of the pet chew treats that are not individually wrapped, that you buy in bulk perhaps from the bins at pet stores.  There have been many reports of problems with these (especially if they come from China.)

Cutler said she hasn’t heard back from the owner she warned whether the serial number on the dog food bag matches one of the recalls.

On the CNS website there are claims that the affected goods have found their way to local pet shops.