Northern California dog owners warned by state wildlife officials to keep their canines away from raw fish
Those who enjoy fishing and who seek trout and salmon in particular were reminded Wednesday by California Department of Fish & Wildlife officials that they should keep their dogs away from the uncooked fish. A parasitic flatworm called Nanophyetes salmincola can be transmitted to canines that eat the two types of fish before they’re cooked, creating a bacteria-like organism in their body and a condition called salmon poisoning disease, officials said in a news release. The parasite is seen only in dogs; the disease is potentially fatal but is treatable, experts say. Signs of the disease in a dog include a rise in body temperature, a loss of appetite, listlessness, diarrhea and vomiting. Rapid weight loss may also occur.