Think it’s cool to throw your dog a nice fresh piece of raw salmon, trout or steel head on your fishing trip? Think again.

What is SalmonPoisoning? Salmon Poisoning is actually an infection caused by the rickettsial organism Neorickettsia helminthoeca.

What causes Salmon Poisoning? The rickettsial organisms are carried by a fluke which can embed into a fish’s tissues. When the fish is eaten the larval form of the flukes set up shop in your dog’s intestinal mucosa where the rickettsial organisms are then released into your dog’s blood stream. From there they can then travel to the liver, brain, lungs and lymphoid tissue.

What geographic regions are affected? Salmon Poisoning is seen in the Pacific North West fromSan Francisco to the coast ofAlaska.  

What are the symptoms of Salmon Poisoning? Symptoms typically begin 5 -7 days after eating raw fish, but can take longer to manifest. The signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever, lethargy, anorexia, possibly enlarged lymph nodes and/or spleen, possibly nasal and/or ocular discharge.

How bad is it? If left untreated, the disease can turn deadly in seven to ten days.

Diagnosis: Your veterinarian will most likely run a blood panel to assess electrolyte levels and metabolic changes, but the diagnosis of Salmon Poisoning is based upon a fecal float or smear, or a lymph node aspirate. The organism which carries the rickettsial component of the disease is a fluke whose ova is visible upon most fecal exams under the microscope. However, due to how the ova are shed, they are not present in every fecal sample your dog produces.

Treatment: Antibiotics and a deworming agent.

Prevention: Easy; just keep your dog’s lips off raw fish.

Can I get it? No. You cannot get this form of Salmon Poisoning. Oddly, it only attacks canids;  dogs, foxes, coyotes. Other wildlife, your cat and the neighborhood raccoon are not susceptible.

All in all, Salmon Poisoning is a potentially fatal disease to your dog. However, with a quick diagnosis a course of antibiotics and a dewormer can nip this infection in the bud. So, enjoy your fishing trip, just keep the raw fish to yourself. Please note: smoked raw salmon does not count as cooked when it comes to Salmon Poisoning and your dog.

Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.

Marijuana
Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.

Sago Palm
All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.

Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.

Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects—including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

Castor Bean
The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Cyclamen
Cylamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.

Kalanchoe
This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.

Yew
Taxus spp. contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.

Amaryllis
Common garden plants popular around Easter, Amaryllis species contain toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia and tremors.

Autumn Crocus
Ingestion of Colchicum autumnale by pets can result in oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.

Chrysanthemum
These popular blooms are part of the Compositae family, which contain pyrethrins that may produce gastrointestinal upset, including drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, if eaten. In certain cases depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.

English Ivy
Also called branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy and California ivy, Hedera helix contains triterpenoid saponins that, should pets ingest, can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea.

Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily)
Spathiphyllum contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.

Pothos
Pothos (both Scindapsus and Epipremnum) belongs to the Araceae family. If chewed or ingested, this popular household plant can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

Schefflera
Schefflera and Brassaia actinophylla contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.