What is Salmon Poisoning?
Dogs who ingest anadromous fish that inhabit the coastal streams and rivers of the Pacific Northwest (prevailing coast from Northern California up to and recently including Vancouver Island, Canada) risk contracting the salmon poisoning disease. The fish can contain a parasite called nanophyetus salmincola, which are in turn infected with the microorganism neorickettsia helminthoeca, thereby passing the microorganism onto your dog.
Salmon poisoning disease is a very serious illness that can result in the death of your dog if not treated within 14 days of the consumption of raw or undercooked salmon. Poisoning is not limited to strictly salmon, but other types of anadromous fish (better recognized as fish that swim upstream in order to breed). Canids (dogs, coyotes, and foxes) are the only species to be affected by salmon poisoning.Salmon Poisoning Average Cost
From 14 quotes ranging from $800 - $10,000
Average Cost
$3,000
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Symptoms of Salmon Poisoning in Dogs
If identified in a timely manner, salmon poisoning is treatable. The symptoms are similar to those of a gastrointestinal illness. If your dog has roamed from your sight and exhibits these symptoms because he may have eaten something you are unaware of, or if your pet has ingested raw or undercooked fish, immediate veterinary care is crucial. Typical symptoms are listed below:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever, which will reach limits around 104 Fahrenheit
- Loss of appetite, which may result in weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Weakness
- Depression
- Discharge from the eyes or nose
- Dehydration
Causes of Salmon Poisoning in Dogs
If your dog has ingested salmon, trout, largescale sucker, shad, sturgeon, redside shiner, sculpin, candlefish or lamprey that carry the microorganism neorickettsia helminthoeca, he will begin to show the symptoms of salmon poisoning disease within 6 to 10 days. 90% of dogs who consume the affected fish will die if the disease is untreated.
The parasitic flukes nanophyetus salmincola have three different hosts: the snail, the fish and the canine. If your dog eats a parasitic fluke that carries the neorickettsia helminthoeca, the fluke will release the microorganism in the dog’s intestinal tract. The microorganisms then spread to:
- Liver
- Lungs
- Lymphoid tissues
- Brain
This then causes:
- Necrosis (death of cells in organs or tissue)
- Hemorrhage
- Hyperplasia (abnormal increase in volume of organs or tissue because of the increase of new cells)
Diagnosis of Salmon Poisoning in Dogs
Bringing your dog to the veterinarian at the first signs of illness is always the recommended route. Canines suffering from salmon poisoning disease can be treated successfully if the infection is diagnosed soon enough. If you aren't sure of what Rover was able to digest because he left your line of sight, or if you know for a fact that your pet has consumed raw fish, relay this important information to your veterinarian upon arrival at the clinic.
A fecal sample can detect the presence of parasitic eggs. Fluid taken from a needle inserted into a swollen lymph node can show the presence of the rickettsial organism. A positive result in either one of these tests, along with accompanying symptoms, can lead your veterinarian to confirm a positive diagnosis.
Treatment of Salmon Poisoning in Dogs
Treatment of salmon poisoning is fairly straightforward, but the length of the regimen will depend on how sick your dog is when he arrives at the hospital. If your dog is experiencing severe vomiting and diarrhea, he may need to be hospitalized in order to get the dehydration and illness under control.
The veterinarian will begin treatment with the administration of intravenous fluids if necessary. Antibiotics, to kill the microorganism responsible for the illness and a dewormer, which will kill the parasite will be given. Anti-diarrheal medication and drugs to combat the nausea may be dispensed as well.
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Recovery of Salmon Poisoning in Dogs
The recovery from salmon poisoning can be relatively quick. Dogs who have been infected with the rickettsial organism can show signs of recovery within two days of treatment. Of course, if you feel that your pet is not recovering well, communicate with your veterinarian for further evaluation. Monitoring your dog’s health is always a responsible part of pet ownership.
Though your dog may now have immunity from this microorganism infection, refrain from allowing your pet to eat raw or uncooked fish as there is always the risk of infection from an alternate strain.
Prevention of re-occurrence is possible. Be vigilant in keeping your dog on the leash when near rivers or beaches, or areas where garbage may be easily accessible. Be sure to cook fish thoroughly, or freeze for two weeks minimum before allowing your pet to eat any.
Salmon Poisoning Average Cost
From 14 quotes ranging from $800 - $10,000
Average Cost
$3,000
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Salmon Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Belgian Malinois
Boots
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My dog just ate some raw salmon with a best before date of nearly two weeks ago. I am tempted to take him to the vet first thing tomorrow morning. Would it be possible for my dog to receive some sort of treatment as a preventative measure? I just want to avoid him having any issues and it seems quite likely he'll be affected given the salmon went bad + potential parasites.
May 22, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
There isn't really any preventive measure for possible GI upset, but if Boots does have vomiting or diarrhea from the salmon, it would be best to have him seen then to have him treated, since you know the cause. I hope that he is okay.
May 22, 2018
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Rhodesian Ridgeback
Vivie
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
How long does the parasite live in the fish after it is out of the water? My dog got a hold of a piece of salmon today but it was all torn up and dried out looking like it had already been partially eaten by something.
April 21, 2018
1 Recommendations
Unfortunately I don’t have any specific data on this, however parasites can live for a long time in the environment even after the host (the salmon) has died which is why all fish intended to be served raw (sushi, sashimi etc…) needs to be frozen for 72 hours at -4℉ or cooked at 140℉ for ten minutes. I would recommend that you visit your Veterinarian for preventative care. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 22, 2018
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Border Collie mixed with Lab
Connor
3 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
My dog ate raw salmon last night. This morning he’s a little sad looking and had slight vomit and diarrhea. What do I need to do? He plays a Little with my other dog and he normally a happy dog but he just looks upset
March 16, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Salmon poisoning is possible with Connor, but that wouldn't typically show signs the next day. His stomach may be upset or he may be having Gi issues related to the raw salmon. if his vomiting or diarrhea continue, or he continues to seem lethargic, he should be seen by your veterinarian to determine what might be going on with him, and if he is okay.
March 16, 2018
After the post I forced him to drink water. Shortly after he threw up a little bit more then he started to eat and acted normal. I will continue to keep a close eye on him. No vomiting or diarrhea today.
March 18, 2018
Connor's Owner
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Blue tick, Border Collie
Sage
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Loss Of Appetite
My dog got a hold of two trout heads about 11 days ago. She didn't eat them she just buried them for later ;) she seems to be a little bit lethargic and she will only eat her food if I add rice or something to it. She hasn't had any diarrhea at all and had a very small amount of vomit just once. We warmed her on day eight just to be on the safe side. My question is this something that she can pass on her own or does she have to have the antibiotics to get completely rid of it? Should I just continue to keep an eye on her? She seems excited to still go on a walk or on a run.
March 8, 2018
0 Recommendations
It is important to get Sage to a Veterinarian immediately as salmon poisoning (trout may carry the same parasite) can cause death in dogs within two weeks if not treated quickly; this is not something to wait around for if the infection is suspected. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.msdvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/rickettsial-diseases/salmon-poisoning-disease-and-elokomin-fluke-fever
March 8, 2018
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Bassadore
Jinny
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
How long must thesalmon be frozen to kill the parasite? I feed raw previously frozen to my dogs frequently but have always frozen it for a month first. Is that safe?
Feb. 15, 2018
0 Recommendations
Whilst there are various different figures online, I go with the seven days at -4°F for seven days; although many home freezers won’t go that far. Most commercially bought salmon is prefrozen but if wild caught you should freeze it. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.seafoodhealthfacts.org/seafood-safety/general-information-patients-and-consumers/seafood-safety-topics/parasites
www.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/science/freezing-fish-killing-parasites.html
Feb. 15, 2018
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Salmon Poisoning Average Cost
From 14 quotes ranging from $800 - $10,000
Average Cost
$3,000
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