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864 Raw Diets

for Salmonella. Several studies have reported part of the nutritional assessment. Raw treats resourcesforyou/animalhealthliteracy/ucm
fecal shedding of pathogenic bacteria by dogs (rawhide, bully sticks, pig ears) should also 373757.htm#tips) is indicated but does not
VetBooks.ir in people owning raw-fed pets have been Salmonella contamination. Note whether the or humans interacting with it.
fed contaminated raw food, and illnesses
eliminate risk of infectious disease for the pet
be noted because they are associated with
diet is commercial or home prepared (the latter
documented and linked to the diet.
Clinical Presentation is more likely to cause nutrient imbalances). PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME
An extended nutritional evaluation is indicated
DISEASE FORMS/SUBTYPES for these patients. Prognosis varies depending on the specific
• Raw feeding is a risk factor for several disease. For nutritional secondary hyperpara-
problems. Differential Diagnosis thyroidism, acute pancreatitis, and foreign-body
• Bones are common foreign bodies associated • Foreign bodies (other than bones) obstruction, the prognosis is guarded.
with gastrointestinal obstruction (including • Gastroenteritis
esophageal) and have also been associated • Hereditary vitamin D disorders PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS
with tooth fractures and constipation. • Primary or renal secondary hyperparathyroid-
• Nutritional imbalances (e.g., nutritional ism Comments
secondary hyperparathyroidism) have been • Raw foods do not always cause illness, but
reported in dogs and cats fed raw diets, Initial Database they increase the risk of certain illnesses.
particularly home prepared. Physical exam; depending on presenting • Provide owners with objective resources such
• Infectious disease caused by microorganisms complaint and exam findings, CBC, serum as the FDA (https://www.fda.gov/animal
(manifested clinically as vomiting and/or chemistry, urinalysis, radiographs, or ultrasound veterinary/resourcesforyou/animalhealth
diarrhea or other disease) has also been may be indicated. literacy/ucm373757.htm) science-based
associated with raw food feeding. information regarding raw diets for pets.
• Many raw food diets are very high in fat and Advanced or Confirmatory Testing Propose that owners contact manufactur-
may risk obesity or acute canine pancreatitis. If indicated, vitamin D panel (calcium, ers to ask how nutritional adequacy and
vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, parathyroid microbiological safety are determined.
HISTORY, CHIEF COMPLAINT hormone–related protein), thyroid panel, or • Develop a hospital policy for handling raw
Diet history includes feeding of raw animal canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (Spec pet foods as well as handling pets eating these
products. Animals may be well, but complaints cPL) may confirm suspected complications of diets to have a plan for those that require
can include vomiting, diarrhea, regurgitation, raw diets. hospitalization or boarding.
constipation, ataxia, limb pain, or difficulty
prehending food. TREATMENT Prevention
Pets that consume raw diets and demonstrate
PHYSICAL EXAM FINDINGS Treatment Overview diarrhea can pose a risk of contagion or zoo-
Physical exam of pets fed raw diets can be Not all dogs and cats will get sick from eating nosis. These animals and their waste products
completely normal. Potential findings include raw food. However, switching to a cooked should be handled appropriately, and the dogs
dehydration secondary to vomiting and diarrhea balanced diet is strongly recommended to should not be allowed to use a common pet
and pain on limb palpation. prevent problems and to reduce risk to humans relief area at the clinic, nor should they be
in contact with the food and the pet. If illness taken to dog parks.
Etiology and Pathophysiology does occur, treatment varies, depending on the
• Unbalanced raw diets can result in nutri- specific problem caused by the raw diet, but Technician Tips
tional deficiency or excess. One of the the patient should be switched to a complete A complete and thorough diet history for each
most common is calcium and/or vitamin D and balanced home-cooked or commercial diet patient at each visit is critical to identify patients
deficiency, resulting in nutritional secondary if raw food has caused illness. at risk for disease due to raw feeding practices.
hyperparathyroidism (rickets during growth,
osteomalacia in adults). Acute and Chronic Treatment SUGGESTED READING
• Some raw diets have resulted in hyperthyroid- Diet change, supportive care, and specific Freeman LM, et al: Current knowledge about the
ism in dogs after the consumption of necks treatment that varies with the problem caused risks and benefits of raw meat-based diets for dogs
or gullets including thyroid tissue. by raw feeding. and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 243:1549, 2013.
• Bones can cause oral and gastrointestinal AUTHOR: Cecilia Villaverde, BVSc, PhD, DACVN,
problems (e.g., foreign bodies). Nutrition/Diet DECVCN
• Consumption of pathogenic bacteria or Pet owners should be encouraged to change EDITOR: Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, PhD, DACVN
endotoxins from contaminated raw meat to a complete and balanced home-cooked or
can result in gastroenteritis and septicemia. commercial diet as indicated by health concerns
(consult with a board certified veterinary
DIAGNOSIS nutritionist for balanced home-cooked diets
[www.acvn.org]). For owners who decline these
Diagnostic Overview recommendations, feeding a balanced commer-
Feeding of raw animal products is identified cial raw diet and following FDA hygiene guide-
by a thorough and complete diet history as lines (https://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/

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