April 17, 2024 (PASADENA, Calif.) – Thrive Pet Healthcare, a leading veterinary care network with more than 380 hospitals in 37 states, is cautioning dog owners in the Los Angeles area regarding the risks of salmon poisoning disease.
“Salmon poisoning disease can induce severe illness in dogs, manifesting as lethargy, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and swollen lymph nodes,” said Dr. Sarah Garrity, a Board-Certified Internist at ACCESS serving Los Angeles County. “Infected dogs often require hospitalization, close monitoring and supportive care such as IV fluids. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a full recovery.”
Four Recent Cases in Los Angeles County
“Our ER has treated four dogs since June 2023 for salmon poisoning disease, three of which occurred this year,” stated Dr. Linnaea Scott, ACCESS emergency veterinarian. “Thankfully, all four dogs responded well to treatment and made full recoveries.”
Of these cases, two dogs reside in Los Angeles County, while the other two are from San Bernardino County. The occurrences were reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, prompting the issuance of an
Animal Health Advisory earlier this month.
Contracting Salmon Poisoning Disease
Salmon poisoning disease results from an infection caused by the bacterium Neorickettsia helminthoeca, transmitted by a parasite found in raw fish. While the name suggests salmon, most cases in the Los Angeles area have been linked to dogs ingesting raw trout heads or fillets, specifically trout obtained through sport fishing in local lakes, or by consuming water used to clean raw trout.
Dogs typically exhibit symptoms 5-7 days after exposure.
Recommendations for Dog Owners
To mitigate the risk of salmon poisoning disease, dog owners are advised to:
Never feed raw fish caught during sport fishing to their dogs.
Prohibit dogs from consuming water used to clean raw fish.
Monitor dogs for signs of illness for two weeks following the ingestion of raw fish, and promptly seek veterinary care if symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea occur. Inform the veterinarian about the raw fish exposure.
Ensure all fish caught during sport fishing is thoroughly cooked before feeding it to dogs or others.
Thoroughly wash hands after handling raw fish.
Refrain from using raw trout as fertilizer, as dogs may consume it and become infected.
Stay vigilant during walks to prevent dogs from drinking from puddles or consuming discarded raw fish found in other people’s trash.
Pet owners are welcome to bring their furry companions to one of ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital locations in Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, South Bay, and Pasadena.
About Thrive Pet Healthcare:
Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service network that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-first membership program and more than 380 acute, primary, and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet’s life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefits for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit
www.thrivepetcare.com.
