By the water this weekend? Beware of potentially deadly dog disease

Those heading to the water to cool off this weekend should look out for their pups.

Salmon poisoning disease can be deadly for dogs and is most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. It is mainly seen in dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes, and occasionally black bears, but does not appear to affect cats.

The disease occurs after the animal eats raw or undercooked fish, specifically salmon, trout, steelhead, or Pacific giant salamanders infected with a parasitic flatworm called Nanophyetus salmincola, also known as a fluke.

Once the animal eats the fish infected with the fluke, the worm embeds in its intestines, spreading bacteria.

Symptoms of salmon poisoning disease

Symptoms of salmon poisoning disease, according to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), include a fever over 104 degrees, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, nasal or eye discharge, and weight loss.

OVMA urged dog owners to notify their veterinarian immediately if they suspect their dog has eaten raw fish and displays any symptoms. If left untreated, dogs will usually die two weeks after eating the fish.

Treatment includes antibiotics and dewormers to kill the parasite. However, OVMA noted that once treated, many dogs are permanently immune to the strain they were infected with.

Veterinarians recommend owners control what their pets eat during fishing trips, leashing dogs at the beach or river, wrapping garbage and disposing of it in secured containers, and not feeding raw fish to dogs.

The disease is predominantly found in Washington, Oregon, northern California, and southern Vancouver Island.

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