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Gun_Dog2002

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I thought I would post some info regarding “Salmon Poisoning” for those who live in the NW or visit the NW. I’ve had 3 situations with this in the past few years, lost one dog, almost lost one and fortunately was on top of the third with Pete a few weeks ago. I’ve come to appreciate that many vets are not very informed of this condition and in general the medical community still does not know much about the possibilities of dogs getting it twice. My dog Trapper contacted this 2 years ago and I just about lost him but 3 days on IV’s and he pulled through. 2 weeks ago he pulled a dead carp, a very decomposed carp at that, out of the river and one of my other dogs Pete took it away from him. After waiting the incubation period of 7-10 days I noticed a small behavior change in Pete on day 8. By that night his temp had gone up slightly and he just picked at his food. By morning he had eaten his food, but was clearly not himself. I got a stool sample and headed to the vet. At this point I could have put him on oral meds and probably been ok, but I asked the vet to keep him overnight and use IV meds to make sure we got a good treatment going. He has recovered very well.

Left untreated the mortality rate is 90%+ and even if treated, if not caught early the mortality rate is high. Salmon Poisoning is a bit misleading as any fish can carry the parasite. Its easy to diagnose under microscope as the flukes show up easily in the stool. My vet is talking to OSU about studying Trapper as he is a confirmed case of re-exposure in the wild and he showed no symptoms of problems at all. This is nothing to mess with and early diagnosis is key to treatment.

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/cliented/salmon.aspx


http://oregonvma.org/care-health/salmon-poisoning-disease


/Paul
 
#2 ·
Dogs can also get it from the water - no contact with fish is necessary. My golden got it when he was a pup just by swimming/drinking in a small backwater area on the riverbank. He had no contact with a fish or a carcass. The flukes or worms can be in the water where an infected fish likely was at one time.

This makes diagnosis very hard for owner. I knew the danger of salmon poisoning, so watched pup and river bank closely to make sure of no contact with fish parts. Had no idea a backwater pond might have flukes. It took 10 or so days before the symptoms showed up: no appetite, very lethargic, diarrhea and then vomiting.

And of course, these things usually happen on weekends when the vet office is closed. The meds and electrolytes worked very quickly - pup was back to normal in 24 to 48 hours.

Jennifer
 
#4 ·
Fortunately we have not had the problem but are vigilant as we live with the Molalla river behind us and salmon and trout fish. I have heard that a dog can get it more than once because there are different varieties as well. Good to know not just salmonids can carry it.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
Very toxic from what I understand. I do a lot of salmon fishing
with dogs on board the boat. I have a harness on board to keep the labs away from blood, and do wash downs after each fish. I have been lucky so far after many years of fishing. My pup managed to eat a container of cured roe last week on the boat as we were drifting my favorite riffle. Big concern for me--but no sickness. Lots of bright fish pills in the poop. sigh of relief! Try my best to keep them away, but....

I had four dogs , two girls, and a deck hand (my dad) on board last week and Briar still managed to find trouble. Alternative---leave em at home.

It is rare, but it is also lethal.


Good post, thanks. John




Image
Most of the time the girls out fish me!
 
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#6 ·
I haven't heard of this in Alaska where we feed our dogs salmon as a good source of protein. I have a garbage bag full of fish in the freezer. Someone recently told me about salmon poisoning and I could hardly believe such a thing.
 
#7 ·
Mary, our salmon don't have it.

Thank God.
 
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#8 ·
It's my understanding that if the fish are frozen, the flukes have been killed. And I know for a fact that if the fish has been cooked thoroughly, the flukes have been killed.

John - it's actually not rare - at least not here in Del Norte County and up in Oregon in Curry County. Our vets see it on a very regular basis. Might be rare in other parts, however.

Oh by the way, NICE FREAKIN FISH!
 
#9 ·
When we lived in Vancouver, WA we had a dog get salmon poisoning, he almost died. First question the vet asked when he saw him was has he eaten any dead fish (spawning season for the salmon was over a month or so ago and the stream behind the house had rotting carcasses in it). A couple tests, a couple shots at the vet and a bottle of pills later he saved our dog. He was up and going again in 18 hours and back to normal in 24-36 hours.

I think he told us the flukes aren't in the meat, but rather in the guts of the fish and it wasn't harmful for the dog to eat salmon meat, but NO guts. Am I remembering this correctly? This is certainly not to condone letting dogs drag fish carcasses out of the rivers & streams and let them eat the meat, just looking for clarification.
 
#10 ·
Well perhaps I learned something today...Is this an issue EVERY where in the US. Because about 2 weeks ago, my 6yo CLM brought me a half rotted dead carp out of the swamp....(eewwww!) but while it was really stinky, I did not know what it was until he got it back to shore...He seems fine and no ill effects at this point but I did not know it was that dangerous.....He has caught little carp before too...I will definitly watch him more closely!
 
#11 · (Edited)
lennie said:
Is this an issue EVERY where in the US. Because about 2 weeks ago, my 6yo CLM brought me a half rotted dead carp out of the swamp....
Click to expand...
This problem is specific to the west coast from northern California through British Columbia. Heaven only knows what the clever little darlin's may pick up from their other dietary treasures. I lost a very old German Wirehair to this several years ago.

This from the Merck Veterinary Manual http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/57305.htm&word=salmon,poisoning
"There are no age, sex, or breed predilections; however, the disease prevalence is higher when the availability of fish is greater. Infected fish are found in the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco to the coast of Alaska, but SPD is more prevalent from northern California to Puget Sound. It is also seen inland along the rivers of fish migration. Apparently, the snail is the geographically limiting factor."

George

PS I really like the Merck Manual and keep it bookmarked. Usually more info than I really need or understand. Good resource.
 
#12 ·
Jhenion said:
It's my understanding that if the fish are frozen, the flukes have been killed. And I know for a fact that if the fish has been cooked thoroughly, the flukes have been killed.

John - it's actually not rare - at least not here in Del Norte County and up in Oregon in Curry County. Our vets see it on a very regular basis. Might be rare in other parts, however.

Oh by the way, NICE FREAKIN FISH!
Click to expand...
Thanks Jen, I have perhaps rolled the dice more times than I should. Got 30 years on the river with dogs and no incidents. But I have been prudent, as best is possible. Can't leave em--they love the boat! I am cautious, but it just takes a second. And, I have a fish cleaning station at the house. I wash down thoroughly, and then use bleach, but dawgs like to find stuff.

Will see you in the spring--put a day on the calender, bring your hubby. I am set up nicely for fishing, and would love to have you guys aboard. Girls always get the first fish--boat policy. :)

I also kept the dogs out of the water, due to toxic algae. Wasn't easy.

Thanks again for the eye opener/reminder.
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
8mmag said:
When we lived in Vancouver, WA we had a dog get salmon poisoning, he almost died. First question the vet asked when he saw him was has he eaten any dead fish (spawning season for the salmon was over a month or so ago and the stream behind the house had rotting carcasses in it). A couple tests, a couple shots at the vet and a bottle of pills later he saved our dog. He was up and going again in 18 hours and back to normal in 24-36 hours.

I think he told us the flukes aren't in the meat, but rather in the guts of the fish and it wasn't harmful for the dog to eat salmon meat, but NO guts. Am I remembering this correctly? This is certainly not to condone letting dogs drag fish carcasses out of the rivers & streams and let them eat the meat, just looking for clarification.
Click to expand...
Actually the parasites live throughout the fish. One lick and the dog can get it.

/Paul
 
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