If your dog eats certain kinds of raw fish, they could get salmon poisoning disease (SPD), which is very rare but very dangerous. Even though it’s not very common, SPD is very bad for dogs’ health in places where it’s common.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover all the key details dog owners need to know about this unique disease
- What causes salmon poisoning in dogs
- Where SPD is most prevalent
- Typical symptoms and clinical signs
- How salmon poisoning is diagnosed
- Treatment and prevention recommendations
- Outlook for dogs with SPD
Let’s take a closer look at what makes this fish-borne illness so hazardous for our canine companions
What Causes Salmon Poisoning in Dogs?
Salmon poisoning arises from an infection with the bacteria Neorickettsia helminthoeca. This bacteria lives inside a fluke parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola that can be found in certain fish species.
When dogs eat fish that is infected with this fluke that is raw, undercooked, or lightly preserved, the parasites let the bacteria into their bodies. So, an infection happens, which hurts many body parts and causes SPD to appear.
The most common fish species that spread this disease to dogs include:
- Salmon
- Steelhead
- Trout
- Sturgeon
- Pacific giant salamander
So any raw fish infected with the fluke parasite has the potential to give dogs salmon poisoning. The disease cannot develop without this parasite-bacteria connection.
Where is Salmon Poisoning Most Prevalent?
Dogs along the Pacific Northwest coast of North America are most likely to get salmon poisoning.
- Northern California
- Oregon
- Washington
- British Columbia
This region provides the ideal habitat for the snail that serves as the intermediate fluke host and completes the parasite’s lifecycle. Areas outside the Pacific Northwest rarely see SPD cases.
What are the Symptoms of Salmon Poisoning in Dogs?
Some common symptoms of salmon poisoning in dogs include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Discharge from eyes/nose
- Lethargy and weakness
- Weight loss
- Abnormal bleeding
Dogs typically develop signs around 5-7 days after consuming raw infected fish. Without treatment, salmon poisoning usually progresses rapidly and is fatal within 14 days of eating contaminated fish.
How is Salmon Poisoning Diagnosed in Dogs?
To diagnose SPD, vets will consider the recent diet history along with clinical signs. Finding fluke eggs in a fecal sample helps support salmon poisoning as the likely cause of illness.
Bloodwork may reveal organ damage or abnormalities reflecting infection. A lymph node biopsy can also detect the Neorickettsia bacteria via special stains and PCR testing.
Overall, a history of raw fish ingestion coupled with supportive lab work leads to a presumptive SPD diagnosis.
How is Salmon Poisoning Treated in Dogs?
The main treatments for salmon poisoning in dogs include:
- Antibiotics – to kill Neorickettsia bacteria
- Anti-parasitics – to kill invading fluke parasites
- IV fluids – to support hydration and organ function
- Anti-nausea medication – to control vomiting
- Nutritional support – if dog is too weak to eat
With aggressive therapy, most dogs can make a full recovery within several weeks. However, delays in treatment often result in a grave outcome for affected dogs.
What’s the Prognosis for Dogs with Salmon Poisoning?
When treated early, the prognosis for salmon poisoning is good, with most dogs making a complete recovery. However, the disease can rapidly become fatal if left untreated beyond the first week of infection.
Supportive hospitalization greatly improves survival odds for dogs with salmon poisoning. But sadly, many dogs succumb quickly to SPD due to the difficulty diagnosing the disease before it has progressed significantly.
How Can Salmon Poisoning be Prevented in Dogs?
Since eating raw fish prompts salmon poisoning in dogs, the most straightforward preventative measure is:
- Avoid feeding dogs raw fish – Especially salmon, trout, and related species. Cook fish thoroughly to kill any parasites.
In areas where SPD is common, dog owners should also:
- Monitor dogs near bodies of water to prevent fish/amphibian eating
- Safely dispose fish guts and remains after fishing
- Restrict dog access to trash containers along waterways
While rare overall in dogs, salmon poisoning remains an ever-present risk in coastal regions along the Pacific Northwest. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention tips for SPD can help save dogs from this potentially fatal disease.
Fish That May Be Infected
Neorickettsia helmonthoeca can infect salmon, trout, lamprey, sculpin, redside shiner, shad, sturgeon, candlefish, and large-scale sucker, all of which live in coastal streams and rivers in the Pacific Northwest.
The rickettsial organism Neorickettsia helmonthoeca is embedded within the fluke, Nanophyetus salmincola, which is embedded within raw fish. Once in the dogs intestinal tract, the larval flukes excyst and release the rickettsiae. The rickettsial organisms then spread through the blood to the liver, lungs, brain, and lymphoid tissues, where they caused damage, bleeding, and growth.
Nanophyetus salmincola eggs are released into the feces of a host animal or bird, which is the first step in their life cycle. Oxytrema silicula is a freshwater snail that lives only in coastal rivers and streams. Those eggs might hatch into this snail. These forms reproduce many times inside the snail and live in fish tissues, which can make dogs sick if they eat them.
Salmon Poisoning Disease (“Fish Disease”)
Salmon poisoning disease, also called “fish disease,” can be fatal in dogs that have eaten certain kinds of raw fish from San Francisco to the coast of Alaska in the Pacific Northwest. It is most prevalent from northern California to the Puget Sound. It is also seen inland along the rivers of fish migration.
Salmon Poisoning in a Dog
FAQ
How does a dog get salmon poisoning?
What part of salmon is toxic to dogs?
Is salmon poisoning treatable?
What are the first signs of salmon poisoning?
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.
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.
How long does salmon poisoning last in dogs?
Dogs typically start feeling better within 1-3 days of starting treatment. If treatment is not begun within 7-10 days of developing symptoms, it can be fatal. To avoid salmon poisoning, do not allow your dog to eat raw or undercooked fish.
How do you know if your dog has salmon poisoning?
The symptoms of salmon poisoning disease are similar to other gastrointestinal diseases such as canine parvovirus. If infected, your dog would likely show some or all of the following symptoms about 6 to 10 days after ingesting fish which were carrying the bacteria. Symptoms may be of variable severity but generally consist of: