This greyhound is enjoying a rawhide, which is not included in the recall.

flickr photo courtesy of Viewoftheworld

Salmonella is probably one of the most common reasons behind recalls of pet food and treats, and there is another alert that you need to know about that involves the bacteria.

A recall issued by a company due to salmonella contamination — one who supplies others as well — Keys Manufacturing Co., was reported on AnnArbor.com on May 4.

That incident is the source of an extended recall announced by two more companies, Boss Pets Products and Blackman Industries, who distributed pig ear treats that were supplied to them by Keys Manufacturing.

Salmonella infection, also referred to as salmonellosis, causes digestive problems, and dogs will typically present with fever, diarrhea, vomiting and weakness. Other symptoms can occur.

Salmonella is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be passed to humans as well, so care needs to be taken. Hand washing is a must — even when handling dry pet food that may be contaminated with the bacteria.

Salmonella can affect other animals —  not just the dogs who chew on the pig ears. There is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to any contaminated product.

To be clear, there are two more separate recalls.

The Boss Pets Products recall includes Diggers Natural Treat Pig Ear pet treats, which were distributed from November, 2010 through April, 2011 in Montana, California, Washington, Oklahoma, Tennessee, New York, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Oregon, Utah, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, and Minnesota.

The treats were sold in bulk in boxes of 100 (UPC 0-72929-00038-6); shrink wrapped in boxes of 50 (UPC 0-72929-99120-2); in two-pack bags shipped in cases of 12 bags (UPC 0-72929-99504-0); four-pack bags shipped in cases of 12 bags (UPC 0-72929-00227-4) and eight-pack bags shipped in cases of 12 bags (UPC 0-72929-99584-2).

Blackman Industries of Kansas City, KS is recalling its PrimeTime brand 2-count and 5-count Premium Pig Ears and all KC Beefhide brand 20-count Premium Pig Ears. Read the FDA release here.

The pig ears were distributed in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota and sold through many of the following retailers: Price Chopper Stores, Hy-Vee Stores, Hen House Markets, Bag N Save Stores, Dahl's Food Stores, Baldwin City Market, SunFresh Food Stores, Apple Markets, Brookside Market, Franklin Food Stores, No Frills Food Stores, Alps Food Stores, Big V Food Stores, Country Mart Food Stores, Thriftway Food Stores, County Fair Food Stores, Super Saver Food Stores and Russ's Food Stores and Feldman's Farm and Home Stores.

The products were distributed between Jan. 4, 2011 and April 29, 2011. PrimeTime pig ears are in translucent plastic packages with yellow printed headers and have been marked with these UPC codes:

7-48976-18316-6 - 2 ct. package with a $3.49 retail price
7-48976-09040-2 - 5 ct. package with a $5.99 retail price
7-48976-19040-9 - 5 ct. package with a $6.99 retail price.

The KC Beefhide product is packaged in a red mesh nylon bag with a green and white header that says KC Beefhide and has the following UPC code 7-48976-09065-5.

If you purchased any of the recalled items, you are urged to return them to the retailer for a full refund.

Those who bought Diggers Natural Treat Pig Ear pet treats can direct their questions to Boss Pet at 1-800-445-6347 during the 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST) business hours or visit their website at www.bosspet.com. Read the FDA release here.

Consumers who purchased PrimeTime or KC Beefhide products and have questions may contact Blackman Industries at 1-913-342-5010 Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Count on AnnArbor.com’s pet section to have up-to-date information on all pet product recalls. For a list of past recalls, click here.

Lorrie Shaw is lead pets blogger for AnnArbor.com and owner of Professional Pet Sitting. Shoot her an email, contact her at 734-904-7279 or follow her adventures on Twitter.