Re: Edicational post Salmon

["troy christenson" <tchrist2@hotmail.com>]

scary stuff--safe to say jester will not be near any of our salmon 
processing operations.  do you know if it is dangerous to cats as well?  our 
cat vince has been getting salmon for all of his life after each of our 
fishing trips.  either we have had really good luck or cats do not get the 
disease.
troy


>From: Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>
>Reply-To: brierpups@fast.cs.utah.edu
>To: brierpups@fast.cs.utah.edu
>Subject: Edicational post Salmon
>Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 22:08:22 -0700
>
>Hi All,
>
>Another form Auntie Ellen's stash. This one is of major importance to
>several of us. :-)
>
>
>SALMON POISONING
>
>Salmon poisoning is a disease of dogs that is unique to the Pacific
>Northwest. It is commonly called salmon poisoning but it is not a
>poisoning. The disease is actually an infection caused by an organism found
>in salmon and steelhead. More specifically, it is caused by a rickettsial
>organism that is carried inside a parasite that dogs acquire after eating
>uncooked salmon or steelhead. Once the parasite infects a dog it releases
>the rickettsia into the dogs tissues. It rapidly spreads throughout the
>dog's body causing a systemic (whole body) infection. Symptoms of the
>illness usually develop in 5 to 7 days after the infection.
>
>The first symptom of salmon poisoning is a loss of appetite. Although sick
>dogs refuse to eat anything they continue to drink water and often their
>water consumption increases dramatically. They lie around and show no
>interest in anything except drinking water, with vomiting and diarrhea
>developing, as they become more ill. Their bowel movements have a
>characteristic yellow color and strong odor. They have a high fever with
>the lymph nodes becoming quite swollen. As the disease progresses
>dehydration and electrolyte imbalance occur followed by death in 90% of the
>dogs that do not receive medical treatment.
>
>The treatment necessary for a dog with salmon disease depends on how long
>the dog has been ill. If it is diagnosed early in the disease appropriate
>antibiotics may be all that are needed. As the illness progresses more
>complications will occur and treatment will require hospitalization and
>intensive care. With early recognition and treatment, a dog with salmon
>poisoning has almost a 100 % chance of survival.
>
>Prevention is always better than treatment so use the following information
>as an aid in the prevention of salmon poisoning. Dogs should receive only
>thoroughly cooked salmon or steelhead. Any uncooked fish should be disposed
>of in a manner that will not allow a dog access to it. Fishermen need to be
>careful not only with the fish, but with the entrails and blood. It is
>relatively easy when cleaning up the boat or fish cleaning equipment to
>leave fish parts around for a dog to find. People who live along the rivers
>or who walk their dogs in those areas need to realize that salmon or
>steelhead carcasses can be a source of infection. Watch your dog closely.
>
>The symptoms mentioned above are general symptoms of a serious and
>potential life threatening illness. If your dog shows some of these
>symptoms and has exposure to salmon or steelhead, there is a strong
>possibility it has salmon poisoning. Remember that catching this illness
>early in its course makes treatment relatively easy and a successful.
>
>Larry C. Wainright, DVM
>The Village Vet Animal Hospital pc

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