A HAPPY DAY at the beach can end sadly, if your dog finds and eats dead fish. Salmon poisoning disease (SPD) is not really poisoning, but a sometimes fatal infection caused by bacteria-like organisms called rickettsia (Neorickettsia helminthoeca).

Nanophyetus salmincola

These organisms are carried in flukes (Nanophyetus salmincola) which require three different hosts: certain snails (Oxytrema plicifer), which develop into cysts in salmon, and finally form eggs in the intestinal tracts of canines to complete their life cycles. When the dogs excrete the eggs, the organisms return to the water to infect other snails, and the cycle starts over again.

Dogs acquire the disease by ingesting raw salmon, steelhead, or trout from rivers and streams. The disease is found only in the Pacific Northwest, primarily Northern California to Washington, which is the habitat for the snails.

Other animals don't seemed to be susceptible to infection, and cats, raccoons and bears can catch and eat fish without becoming ill. Humans are not susceptible either...a great relief to sushi lovers.

SPD symptoms include:

• fever
• loss of appetite
• dehydration
• diarrhea
• enlarged lymph nodes
• vomiting
• weakness

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It typically takes 5-7 days for symptoms to develop after ingestion of the infected fish. If untreated, 90 percent of the dogs showing symptoms will usually die within 14 days.

If you know or suspect that dog has eaten raw salmon, call your veterinarian immediately. Treated appropriately, dogs usually have an excellent chance of complete recovery.