The aim of this study was to identify risk factors, including Campylobacter spp infection, for the development of APN. Campylobacter jejuni is a commensal organism of the chicken gut and one of the leading causes of GI upset in humans worldwide.3 Consumption of raw or undercooked chicken by dogs is common in Australia, where this case-controlled study was conducted over a 2-year time period.
Paired fecal samples were obtained from 27 pet dogs with suspected APN and 47 healthy control dogs. An association was noted between APN dogs and Campylobacter spp-positive fecal samples. When considering only cases in which fecal samples were collected less than 7 days after clinical onset of signs, this association became significant. Consumption of raw meat—including chicken—and breed (ie, small vs large) were variables significantly associated with the development of APN in this population of dogs. Environmental variables (eg, contact with live birds, access to natural water sources), recent vaccination (within 6 weeks of onset of signs), sex, and age were not associated with the development of APN in this population of dogs.