In a 2018 study conducted at University of Melbourne’s U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital, dogs consuming raw chicken meat were 70 times more likely to develop a paralyzing condition called acute polyradiculoneuritis (APN). The paralysis begins in a dog's hind legs, spreading to the front legs, head, neck and face. If the chest is affected, death can result.
"Paralysis results from the dog’s immune system becoming unregulated and attacking its own nerve roots, progressively worsening over several days," says Dr Nerissa Hannink of the University of Melbourne.
APN is the canine version of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in humans. The bacteria Campylobacter, present in undercooked chicken, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated water, can trigger GBS.
Dr. Matthias le Chevoir and his team studied 27 dogs with symptoms of APN and 47 dogs without. They gathered data through examination of physical symptoms and interviewing owners about behavior and diet. They found that the dogs with APN were 9.4 times more likely to have had a Campylobacter infection than the control group. Owners of 96% of APN cases reported raw chicken consumption.
Dr. le Chevoir says that the "raw meat" feeding trend is concerning, given the risks of Campylobacter infection and APN.
Learn more about the risks of raw meat diets below
Should I be feeding my dog a raw diet?
6 Reasons to Not Feed Your Dog Raw Meat
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Source: University of Melbourne
