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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently sent out a warning to California dog owners regarding the dangers of Salmon Poisoning Disease among canines.
Per a CDFW bulletin, Salmon Poisoning Disease is contracted by consuming "certain types of raw or cold smoked fish like trout and salmon" infected with Neorickettsia helminthoeca: a deadly bacteria carried by Nanophyetes salmincola flatworms present in the aforementioned fish species.
Symptoms of Salmon Poisoning Disease include: "a rise in body temperature, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and/or rapid weight loss." If you suspect these symptoms present in your dog after they consume raw or smoked fish, take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Nanophyetes salmincola naturally breed in Northern California waters but can affect pups across the state. The CDFW urged all Golden State dog owners to keep their pets away from "salmon, steelhead, trout and other freshwater fish carcasses" that wash up on the beach as they might appear harmless, but could lead to death.
It is important to be aware of and look out for these symptoms as the disease is treatable if it's caught early. It it's not, your pup will likely die within two weeks of contracting Salmon Poisoning Disease.
For more information check out the latest CDFW Bulletin.