Flickr photo courtesy of Denise Chan

Many dog owners indulge their pets' craving to chew with various rubber and synthetic toys, bones and other popular products like tracheas, tendons and antlers.

Pig ears are another product that dogs love, and while usually they are safe, one company has issued a recall on one of their products that they want you to be aware of.

According to the Associated Press as of late Tuesday evening, the Keys Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Paris, Ill. is recalling their called Pig Ears for Pet Treats, after the product had been linked to illness in a dog in Missouri due to possible contamination with salmonella.

The dog treats were distributed in Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

The product can be returned to the store at which it was purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-217-465-4001.

The product was distributed in 100 count cases packed in cardboard boxes shipped between Sept. 27-Oct. 6, 2010; Nov. 1-Nov. 29, 2010; and Jan. 3-Jan. 25, 2011.

Salmonella, 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.

Because there are more than 2,000 strains of salmonella, it's the most common cause behind pet product recalls. Very young and very old pets are most susceptible to the bacteria and suffer the effects most profoundly. The most common symptoms associated with salmonella are vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Companion animals presenting with symptoms are treated with IV fluids and antibiotics.

That being said, 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.

Read the FDA press release about the recall by clicking here.

As more in-depth data becomes available from the company, we'll include updates here on the pets section.

You can count on AnnArbor.com to have up-to-date information on pet product related recalls available. Click here to search our archives of previous recalls, the most recent being from early March.

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.