Listeria monocytogenes

Confidence

high

Summary

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive foodborne bacterium found in soil, contaminated feed, and raw or processed meat products, including raw pet food. Dogs are susceptible but typically show only mild gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea, though severe cases can involve fever, breathing problems, muscle pain, pregnancy loss, or rarely death; they more commonly act as asymptomatic carriers. Cats are considered rare but genuine hosts for septicemic or visceral listeriosis, with documented cases of mesenteric lymphadenitis and potential CNS involvement, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or those fed raw meat-based diets. Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) is a bacterium found in soil, manure, and contaminated food (including raw pet food and deli meats) that can infect both dogs and cats, though infections are uncommon in pets. In dogs, illness is typically mild, most often presenting as vomiting or diarrhea, though severe cases can involve breathing problems, fever, muscle pain, pregnancy loss, and rarely death; infected dogs may also shed the bacteria asymptomatically. In cats, listeriosis is rare but can be more serious, causing mesenteric lymphadenitis, brain inflammation, systemic infection, and pregnancy complications, with raw meat-based diets identified as a contributing risk factor.

Trend Term

Listeria monocytogenes Listeria (L. mono)

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