A new study links raw chicken to paralysis in dogs

There has recently been a study that has linked the consumption of raw chicken with an increased risk of paralysis in dogs.

The study, conducted by the University of Melbourne’s U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital, found the consumption of raw chicken meat (particularly raw chicken necks) increases the risk of dogs developing acute polyradiculoneuritis (APN) by more than 70 times.

APN is a rare but debilitating condition where a dog’s hind legs become weak and the paralysis then progresses to the front legs, neck, head and face. Dogs can take many months to recover but in some cases, the disease can be fatal.

It is thought that the dog’s immune system progressively attacks its own nerve roots, similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in humans. The bacteria Campylobacter is now considered a triggering agent in up to 40 percent of GBS patients. It is possible that Campylobacter (often present in raw chicken products) is likely to be a triggering agent for APN. You read more about the study here.

Ask us for more information if you are worried about your dog or have any questions about what to feed your pet.