Be aware of salmon poisoning in dogs

To The Eagle:

I just lost a dog to salmon poisoning. I did not know about this disease, I did not realize it is endemic in our area, and I did not recognize the symptoms (lethargy, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, depression, possible fever). The veterinarian said that at this time of year, she encounters a dog a week that dies from this disease--in many instances, the dog's person was as ignorant as I.

Salmon poisoning manifests five to seven days after the dog eats raw salmon or trout, possibly dropped by eagles. If it is identified early, it is easily treated with tetracycline or chloramphenicol, and the cure rate is 100 percent. Approximately 90 percent of dogs die if his/her person is as clueless as I was. Other dogs sharing the infected dog's space may pick up the pathogenic salmon flukes from fecal matter.

I am sending this message in memory of Libby and hope that it may save others of her kind.

Rest in peace, Libby.

Ursula Petralia

Skamokawa