Petland Continues Work with CDC
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio, Oct. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year nearly 1.3 million Americans are infected with Campylobacter. The most likely form of infection comes from consuming chicken, but as the CDC reported on September 11, Campylobacter also lives in the digestive tract of most dogs regardless of where the dog was obtained. According to the CDC's own report released today, "regardless of where they are from, any puppies and dogs may carry Campylobacter germs."
Today the CDC posted an update announcing they have expanded their investigation and confirmed they have found campylobacter in puppies sources other than Petland. The CDC's expanded investigation resulted in cases found in humans in Utah, Wyoming, New Hampshire and Maryland. These are states where Petland has no store locations.
Petland has been able to provide traceback for any puppy purchased as requested by the CDC, thus making sense for CDC and Petland to work together to conduct testing. However, more than 98% of people obtain their puppies from other sources, including shelters, rescues, friends, online and through local advertising. Petland is therefore pleased that the CDC is expanding its investigation.
The CDC has no new recommendations for Petland but continues to advise that Petland reinforces proper hand sanitization before and after playing with any of our puppies with the many sanitation stations in each store and continues to follow Petland's strict kennel sanitation procedures and protocols put in place by consulting veterinarians. Since the initial contact, Petland has re-doubled its efforts in educating staff and customers about proper hand sanitization.
According to the CDC, symptoms typically appear within 2-5 days of being exposed to the bacteria. It is transmitted from feces to mouth. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, nausea, intestinal cramping and vomiting. The notice from the CDC also notes that this strain is resistant to many antibiotics, as is the case with a majority of the Campylobacter strains. CDC estimates that in the United States, more than two million people are sickened every year with antibiotic-resistant infections. The vast majority of Campylobacter cases are treated simply with hydration and rest.
"Maintenance of hydration and electrolyte balance, not antibiotic treatment, is the cornerstone of treatment for Campylobacter enteritis," states Oxford Journal's Clinical Infectious Diseases. "Indeed, most patients with Campylobacter infection have a self-limited illness and do not require antibiotics at all."
Petland looks forward to our continued work with the CDC and will provide any further updates as they become available.
Petland, Inc. is a franchise operation with quality, full service retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil and El Salvador.
For 50 years, Petland Pet Counselors have been dedicated to matching the right pet with the right customer and meeting the needs of both. To its customers who already have pets, Petland is dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond.
Petland was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com.
Contact:
Elizabeth Kunzelman
Director of Public Affairs
Petland, Inc.
740-775-2464
SOURCE Petland
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