Salmon poisoning is a potentially fatal condition seen in dogs after they eat certain types of raw or undercooked fish like salmon, trout, and steelhead. But can dogs get salmon poisoning from cooked salmon too? Let’s take a closer look at what exactly salmon poisoning is, what causes it, its symptoms, treatment and prevention.
What is Salmon Poisoning?
Salmon poisoning is a disease that affects dogs when they consume raw salmon, trout, steelhead and other anadromous fish infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola. This parasite harbors a bacterium called Neorickettsia helminthoeca.
When an infected fish is eaten by a dog, the parasite attaches to the intestinal wall and the Neorickettsia helminthoeca enters the dog’s bloodstream. This leads to the development of salmon poisoning disease.
Salmon poisoning occurs commonly along the Pacific coast of North America, from California to Alaska Dogs are the primary hosts, while other canids like coyotes, foxes and wolves can also be affected Cats and humans do not get salmon poisoning.
What Causes Salmon Poisoning in Dogs?
Salmon poisoning in dogs is caused by the parasite Nanophyetus salmincola and the bacterium Neorickettsia helminthoeca it carries
Here is how it happens:
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The parasite Nanophyetus salmincola is found in raw salmon trout steelhead and other anadromous fish along the Pacific coast.
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When a dog eats infected raw fish, the parasite attaches itself to the intestinal wall and deposits Neorickettsia helminthoeca into the dog’s bloodstream.
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Neorickettsia helminthoeca multiply rapidly and spread throughout the body, causing systemic infection and salmon poisoning disease.
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Cooking or freezing fish kills the Nanophyetus salmincola parasite and eliminates the risk of salmon poisoning.
So the short answer is no, dogs cannot get salmon poisoning from cooked fish. The parasite has to be alive for the dog to become infected.
Symptoms of Salmon Poisoning in Dogs
Salmon poisoning symptoms usually appear within 6-10 days of a dog eating infected raw fish. They include:
- Vomiting
- Bloody diarrhea
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Discharge from eyes and nose
- Coughing/panting
- Weight loss
- Depression
- Seizures
Without treatment, salmon poisoning can be fatal within 14 days of eating infected fish.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A presumptive diagnosis of salmon poisoning may be made based on clinical signs and a history of the dog eating raw fish. Diagnostic tests like fecal exams, bloodwork, PCR and lymph node aspirates can help confirm salmon poisoning.
Treatment involves:
- Antibiotics like Doxycycline to kill Neorickettsia helminthoeca
- Anti-parasitic medication like Praziquantel to kill Nanophyetus salmincola
- IV fluids and supportive care
With prompt treatment, the survival rate is over 90%. But without treatment, most dogs with salmon poisoning die within 2 weeks.
Can Dogs Get Salmon Poisoning From Cooked Fish?
No, cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F kills any Nanophyetus salmincola parasites present, eliminating the risk of salmon poisoning. Freezing fish for over 7 days also kills the parasite.
So dogs cannot get salmon poisoning from thoroughly cooked salmon, trout, steelhead or other fish. Raw or undercooked fish poses a risk.
Prevention of Salmon Poisoning
To prevent salmon poisoning in dogs:
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Do not feed dogs raw fish, especially salmon, trout and steelhead caught along the Pacific coast.
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Cook fish thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F.
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Freeze fish for over 7 days before feeding to kill any parasites.
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Prevent dogs from scavenging on dead fish carcasses near rivers and lakes.
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Avoid areas where fishing scraps are discarded.
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Use monthly heartworm and flea prevention medications like Simparica Trio that also treat and control common intestinal parasites.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Farmed salmon was the first animal approved by the FDA to be genetically modified. Scientists modified Atlantic salmon so that they would be hungry year-round. This helps farmers grow the fish to market size much quicker.
GMO salmon is deemed safe but … there are no studies that test long term effects. And studies of other GMO foods show they can lead to organ damage, digestive issues and allergies.
To make matters worse, nothing on the label indicates the salmon is GMO. So there’s no way of knowing what you’re buying.
Wild salmon can have parasites like roundworms or flukes.
Flukes are especially dangerous if they’re infected by Neorickettsia helminthoeca … a bacteria that causes salmon poisoning disease.
If your dog eats salmon with infected fluke … the flukes will attach to his gut lining. The fluke eggs and larvae will then infect your dog and make him very sick.
Symptoms of salmon poisoning usually appear 6 days after eating the infected fish …
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Fever
- Bloody diarrhea
- Weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Dehydration
You’ll most often find infected salmon in the Pacific Northwest. If you walk your dog in an area where he may be able to scavenge dead salmon, you want to be particularly careful.
For those purchasing salmon at the store, the risk is lower. Just cook the salmon or freeze it for a week to kill off any parasites.
The main reason dog owners decide to add salmon or salmon oil to their dog’s diet is to give more omega-3s … especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
These healthy fats …
- Promote brain health
- Fight inflammation
- Reduce the risk of heart disease
- Support eye health
- Reduce the risk of some cancers
- Helps probiotics attach to intestinal cells
- Increases healthy bifidobacteria populations
While salmon and salmon oil are high in these healthy omega-3 fatty acids … the risk of other contaminants is very high.
Instead, try one of these 2 alternatives …
Green lipped mussels are full of EPA and DHA.
This is because they filter phytoplankton from the water.
Phytoplankton is a marine plant that’s rich in EPA and DHA. When the green lipped mussels filter the water, phytoplankton gets trapped. The mussels then eat the phytoplankton, which gives them a healthy dose of EPA and DHA.
Green lipped mussels are native to New Zealand but … they can also be sustainably farmed, which protects the oceans.
Another great source of EPA and DHA are organs like the brain and eyes.
It may sound a little off-putting, but like other organ meats, the brain and eyes are full of omega 3s. Especially DHA because the brain and eyes need this fatty acid to function.
And 4 oz of brain has about twice as much DHA and more EPA than a teaspoon of fish oil.
These organs can be a little more difficult to find. But you’ll have the most luck at the butcher shop, an abbattoir or meat processor..
Why You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dog Salmon
There are many reasons why salmon isn’t a great choice for your dog.
Back in 2011, radiation seeped into the Pacific as a result of the Fukushima nuclear accident.
The radiation has made its way to the west coast of north America and fish now show signs of radiation.
While studies suggest that the amount of radiation is so low it shouldn’t cause concern … it’s best to avoid Pacific Salmon.
Cesium-137 and strontium-90 are two of the radioactive particles found in salmon. These can build up in your dogs bone marrow and lead to cancer and leukemia.
Salmon Poisoning in a Dog
FAQ
Can cooked salmon make a dog sick?
Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids which helps keep their coats shiny and supports their immune system. Salmon should be unseasoned and cooked otherwise it could contain parasites and bacteria that can make your dog sick.Sep 25, 2022
What are the first signs of salmon poisoning in dogs?
Symptoms are similar to distemper and may include some or all of the following: a rise in body temperature, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and/or rapid weight loss. If signs of the disease appear, promptly take your dog to a veterinarian. Salmon Poisoning Disease is treatable if caught in time.
How rare is salmon poisoning in dogs?
Conclusion. Salmon poisoning disease is a rare cause of vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy, often severe, in dogs from regions endemic for SPD. Given the similarity of clinical signs to those of other more common disorders, SPD may not be considered as a differential diagnosis.