Can Dogs Get Salmon Poisoning from Cooked Salmon?

Salmon poisoning is a serious and often fatal disease that affects dogs who eat raw salmon infected with a specific parasite, But what about cooked salmon? Are dogs at risk of developing salmon poisoning if they eat thoroughly cooked fish? Let’s take a closer look at how dogs get salmon poisoning and whether cooking the fish can prevent infection

What is Salmon Poisoning?

This sickness, which is also called salmon fluke disease, is brought on by a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola. Some fish that live along the Pacific Coast, like salmon, trout, and steelhead, get this tiny fluke.

When a dog eats raw fish that has this parasite on it, the flukes go to the small intestine and get stuck there. Here, they release a bacteria called Neorickettsia helminthoeca into the dog’s bloodstream. This bacteria spreads throughout the body, causing the symptoms associated with salmon poisoning.

If left untreated, salmon poisoning is fatal to dogs in 90% of cases However, with prompt veterinary treatment, the prognosis is good

Symptoms of Salmon Poisoning

Symptoms of salmon poisoning in dogs usually appear within 5-7 days after ingesting infected raw fish. They include

Vomiting
Bloody diarrhea
Fever
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Swollen lymph nodes
Discharge from eyes or nose
Coughing
Weight loss
Seizures

Without treatment, death usually occurs within 14 days of eating the infected fish.

Geographic Distribution

Cases of salmon poisoning are limited to the west coast of North America, primarily Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and Southern British Columbia. This is the only region where the Nanophyetus salmincola parasite is endemic.

In other parts of North America, dogs that eat raw salmon are not likely to get sick.

Raw vs Cooked Salmon

The Nanophyetus salmincola fluke is the intermediate host that allows the Neorickettsia helminthoeca bacteria to infect dogs and cause salmon poisoning disease.

These flukes are unable to survive in cooked fish. Thorough cooking or freezing fish for an extended period kills any flukes present.

Therefore, dogs cannot get salmon poisoning from cooked salmon or other cooked fish. The high temperatures destroy the fluke parasite which carries the bacteria.

However, dogs are still at risk if they eat the raw viscera (internal organs) of infected fish, even if the flesh is cooked. Freezing fish for at least 7 days before cooking also kills any parasites present.

So while cooked flesh is safe, dogs should not be allowed to eat raw salmon or trout internal organs if in a region where salmon poisoning is found. Always cook fish thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F.

Preventing Salmon Poisoning

To prevent your dog from contracting salmon poisoning, follow these tips:

Never feed your dog raw salmon, trout, steelhead or other raw fish from streams along the Pacific Coast. Only offer cooked fish.
When fishing, do not allow your dog access to raw fish, fish carcasses, or entrails. Safely dispose of all remains.
Freeze fish for at least 7 days before cooking to kill parasites. Cook to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Prevent access to garbage cans or areas where infected fish may be disposed.
If your dog shows symptoms of salmon poisoning after eating fish, seek veterinary care immediately. Early treatment is vital.
Avoid areas along the Pacific Coast where dogs may eat infected fish or salamanders. Closely supervise dogs near freshwater streams.

Summary

can dogs get salmon poisoning from cooked salmon

What is salmon poisoning disease?

Dogs can get salmon poisoning disease if they eat certain kinds of raw fish, like salmon and other anadromous fish (fish that swim upstream to breed) that are infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola. This disease can be fatal.

The parasite is relatively harmless except when it is infected with a rickettsial organism called Neorickettsia helminthoeca. It’s this microorganism that causes salmon poisoning.

Salmon poisoning occurs most commonly west of the Cascade Mountain range.

What are the signs of salmon poisoning disease?

Clinical signs generally appear within six days of a dog eating an infected fish. Common symptoms include:

Vomiting
Lack of appetite
Fever
Diarrhea
Weakness
Swollen lymph nodes
Dehydration

Salmon poisoning is treatable if it’s caught in time. If untreated, death usually occurs within two weeks of eating the infected fish. Ninety percent of dogs showing symptoms die without treatment.

Salmon Poisoning In Dogs

FAQ

Can cooked salmon make a dog sick?

Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids which helps keep their coats shiny and supports their immune system. Salmon should be unseasoned and cooked otherwise it could contain parasites and bacteria that can make your dog sick.

How long does it take for a dog to get salmon poisoning?

In salmon poisoning disease, signs appear suddenly, usually 5 to 7 days after eating infected fish. In some cases, however, the onset of signs may take as long as 33 days. Signs usually continue for 7 to 10 days before culminating in death in up to 90% of untreated animals.

What does salmon poisoning look like in dogs?

SPD should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a canine patient with clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and lymphadenomegaly; laboratory findings of thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia; and potential exposure to raw fish from the West Coast of the US or Southern Brazil.

What can I give my dog for salmon poisoning?

Prevention and Treatment of Salmon Poisoning Disease in Animals. Treatment options include parenteral oxytetracycline (7 mg/kg, IV, three times a day for 5 days) or doxycycline (10 mg/kg, twice daily for 7 days). Oral tetracycline or doxycycline are contraindicated when GI signs are present.

What happens if a dog eats salmon?

After eating raw fish/salamander, infected flukes embed in the dog’s intestines, allowing the bacteria to enter the blood stream. The bacteria spreads to various organs resulting in the signs of salmon poisoning. Salmon poisoning is most commonly seen in Washington, Oregon, northern California, and southern Vancouver Island (Canada).

What are the side effects of eating Salmon?

For individuals who enjoy fish and do not have a fish allergy, salmon is a high-quality, nutrient-rich food to include in your diet. Unless an individual has a fish allergy, the side effects from eating salmon would primarily be positive for heart and brain health for instance. It is possible that farmed salmon contains higher amounts of contaminants like PCBs compared to wild salmon and that eating it regularly may contribute to an accumulation of toxins. However, very large amounts of contaminated farmed salmon would have to be consumed and many salmon farms are finding sustainable practices that considerably reduce contaminants. The benefits of eating salmon in most cases outweighs the risks. The USDA agrees that eating 4 ounces of wild or farmed salmon twice a week is safe and can give you the nutritional benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for heart and brain health.

What is salmon poisoning disease in dogs?

Image by ArtTower on Pixabay. What is salmon poisoning disease? Salmon poisoning disease is a potentially fatal condition seen in only dogs after they eat certain types of raw fish, like salmon and other anadromous fish (fish that swim upstream to breed), that are infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola.

Can dogs eat raw salmon?

In fact, raw salmon can be fatal to your dog. We reached out to two experts, Dr. Brian Bourquin, a chief medical officer at Boston Veterinary Clinic in Boston, Massachusetts, and Jeff Carbridge, a certified dog nutritionist at Dog Owner, to find out more about salmon and dogs. Is salmon healthy for dogs?